I checked the stairs. Still no sound from Amber. Then I went to the door and opened it to find Finn standing in the snow. He looked so handsome with his dark hair and blue eyes. ‘You going to let me in?’ he asked with a lopsided smile. ‘It’s freezing out here.’

‘Sorry!’ I said, opening the door wide. ‘Come in.’

He came in, shrugged his coat off and slipped out of his boots.

‘Drink?’ I asked, trying to sound airy and casual. ‘I made some hot chocolate.’

‘Got anything stronger?’ he asked.

I glanced up towards the room where my cousin was sleeping. One drink wouldn’t harm, would it? I’d only had a taste of champagne before. But it was time I grew up.

‘I can add some Bailey’s to the hot chocolate?’ I suggested, something I’d seen my aunt and mum do.

He smiled. ‘Sounds good.’

Over the next hour, we talked. Then the talking turned into kisses and one shot of Bailey’s turned into two, three, four. By the time I was laid out on the sofa with Finn’s hand up my top, I was feeling so drunk, I couldn’t see straight. And while some small alarm bells started ringing, I liked it. I liked being in my house with a cute boy without having to run around after Amber or deal with my parents’ busy harassed orders. I liked having someone’s attention on me, proper attention. I liked just being me for a few hours. Soon to be fifteen-year-old Gwendolyn with a boyfriend. Because yes, surely he was a boyfriend now? He had his hand on my breast, after all.

‘Who’s that?’ a small, sleepy voice asked.

Finn shot off me, looking towards the doorway in horror.

‘Who’s that?’ he asked as he stared at the little girl blinking at them from the doorway.

‘Amber! What are you doing up?’ I said, pulling my top down and rushing over to my cousin. ‘Come on, let’s get you back to bed.’

‘I don’t want to sleep, I want to go out in the snow!’

‘Don’t be silly, come on,’ I said, trying to drag her towards the stairs. But she refused, pulling away from me and shaking her head.

‘Snow lady! I want to check on our snow lady!’

‘I didn’t know anyone was here,’ Finn said, straightening his top.

‘She usually sleeps all afternoon,’ I said.

‘Right. I think I’ll make a move …’

He went to get his coat but I grabbed his arm. ‘Wait, no,’ I said, desperate for him to stay. We still had another couple of hours before my parents and aunt were due back. I crouched down in front of Amber, grabbing her little hands. ‘If you go up to your room and play, I promise you I’ll let you eat all the sweeties in the cupboard.’