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Now that I had greater earnings, I could afford a nicer place, but a part of me didn’t want to leave my tiny haven, small and worn and aged as it was. I liked my street, liked having Siobhan and Bob there to greet me when I got home from a long day at work. I’d hate not having them as my neighbours anymore.
By the time we were dressed, we had just enough time to drive to Shay’s house to pick up his dad. Eugene emerged with a smile as he glanced from me to his son. I had a feeling Shay had spoken to him since the conversation I overheard because Eugene didn’t appear concerned about Shay staying the night at my place. In fact, he seemed rather cheerful about it.
How exactly had Shay managed to turn him around?
“Merry Christmas, Maggie,” he greeted warmly.
“Merry Christmas, Eugene,” I replied.
Eugene sat in the back seat, carefully holding a casserole dish covered with foil on his lap. I glanced at it curiously.
“My roast potatoes,” he explained. “I make them every year. The secret is to put a spoonful of baking soda in the water when you’re par boiling the potatoes. It makes them extra crispy.”
“Oh, I’ll have to try that,” I replied.
When we reached Ross and Dawn’s house, their son, Ryan, was outside cycling up and down the street on a brand-new mountain bike. He wore a bright blue helmet, and Ross stood by the door, tired bags under his eyes and a cup of coffee in hand as he watched his son.
“Those kids had you up at the crack of dawn to open their presents, eh?” Eugene said when we emerged from the car.
“4 a.m.,” Ross replied with a slightly haunted expression. I bit my lip to hide my amusement.
Eugene clapped him on the shoulder. “It’s a worthy sacrifice.”
“I’m not so sure about that,” Ross grimaced, and Eugene barked a chuckle. “Hello, Maggie. Good to see you again. Shay,” Ross continued.
“Hi, Ross,” I said while Shay signed a hello before his fingers slid through mine, his palm warm as Ross motioned us into the house. I glanced in the living room as we passed by. It looked like a tornado of gift wrapping and cardboard boxes had hit it. The little girl, Shauna, sat on the floor in her pyjamas, happily engrossed in her new toys.
Dawn was in the kitchen preparing the dinner. She looked decidedly put together, given her children had her up at four and she had to cook a meal for seven people. The only sign of stress was a thin sheen of sweat on her brow, which she quickly wiped away before pulling me into a hug.
“Maggie, I’m so glad you could make it. We’ve missed you at Sunday dinner these last few weeks.”
“Thank you for having me,” I said, noticing her keen attention going to Shay where he stood on the other side of the room with his dad and brother.
Dawn’s voice lowered. “I heard about what happened with Nigel. I take it that whatever trouble was between you and Shay has been sorted.”
“Yes, all sorted now,” I said, and she looked pleased.
“Good, because Shay’s an amazing man. As you probably know, we’re all very protective of him, but I think he’s finally found someone who truly deserves him.”
She gave my shoulder a squeeze, and a tendril of emotion rose forth. I barely knew Dawn, so for her to believe I was worthy of Shay meant a lot. There was no doubting he was worthy of me. He was the best person I’d ever known.
Eugene joined Dawn in the kitchen with his casserole dish, and they both proceeded to fawn over how golden and crispy the roast potatoes had turned out that year. I went to sit by Shay, who wrapped his arm around my waist just as the front door opened and slammed shut.
Heavy footfalls sounded towards the kitchen before Rhys appeared. He looked even more haggard than Ross, his normally put together appearance dishevelled. His clothes were rumpled like they were the same ones he’d worn the day before.
“Rhys, I thought you and Stephanie were having dinner with the Balfes,” Eugene said, clearly surprised by his nephew’s appearance.
“Change of plans,” Rhys grunted as he went straight to Ross and Dawn’s drinks cabinet. He searched through the selection before seizing a bottle of expensive-looking whiskey. Twisting off the cap, he brought it to his lips and took a long swig. It appeared to have already been opened, but still.
“Care to explain why you’re guzzling down the whiskey I was saving for New Years?” Ross asked in concern. It was a question every person in the room wanted to know the answer to.
Rhys raked a hand through his dark hair. “Stephanie and I called off the engagement last night, and before you start asking questions, I don’t want to talk about it. I probably won’t want to talk about it for a while, and right now, that’s all I have to say on the matter.” A pause. “And whatever I drink, I’ll replace.”
