‘Oh yes that’s right, you remember it better than me, my brain isn’t as young as yours. You’d better tell the rest.’

I looked at Ben with a frown etched across my face. ‘Ben?’

Ben let out a loud sigh and rubbed his forehead. ‘I have vague memories of sneaking down the stairs that Christmas and switching the lights back on. I was obsessed with them. Next thing, I remember hearing the alarms and seeing the smoke. It’s pretty hazy, I was very young, but I remember Mum was livid.’

‘Oh, son, I’m over it now, I’m just glad you were okay. We only lost a few things.’ Annie waved her hand as if to dismiss his dismay. But Ben looked sad. This was why he hated Christmas so much. The magic of this time of year was tainted by the irresponsible actions of a tiny boy. I found my way over to Ben and placed a hand on his arm and rubbed it. ‘You were just a kid, Ben,’ I said softly. Ben pulled his lips into a tight smile.

I looked over at Annie who was watching us.

‘Well, that’s our little story anyway,’ she said as she finished rearranging the ornaments. Then she walked back over to me and escorted me to the sofa. I began to remove my coat. ‘Oh, very nice jacket, Daisy.’

I smiled, glad I had pleased Annie. ‘Right, I’ll get that eggnog then.’ Annie marched from the room taking my new coat with her.

‘I love you,’ I whispered in Ben’s ear and pulled him onto the sofa. He nuzzled his face against mine and I breathed in his sweet citrus scent.

‘And I love you and the baby,’ he said as he rubbed the bump. I squirmed a little. ‘When do we get the first scan picture, shouldn’t it be about now? I wanted to show Mum.’

‘Yeah, we get it soon.’ I took his hand from the bump and squeezed it in mine. What I hadn’t told Ben was the appointment for the first scan photo had lapsed. It had even passed the time when we would be able to book in for the second scan photo, the time when we could find out the sex, something I was sure Ben would want to know in advance. But there was very little I wanted to know about this pregnancy, let alone if it was a girl or a boy.

‘Here we are!’ Annie made her announced entrance carrying a tray full of eggnog. ‘Come and get it whilst it’s… eggnoggy!’ I looked at Ben and we both smiled at Annie’s efforts.

‘Thanks Mum.’ Ben stood up and took the tray from Annie. I watched curiously as Ben, who towered over her, put the tray down on a high side table next to the Christmas tree. Annie placed a hand on his arm and gave it a half pat, half rub.

‘You’re welcome, son. It’s good to have you here.’ Annie turned to face me; aware that their awkward intimate moment was being observed.