Page 23 of The Perfect Gift

‘What the hell do you think you’re doing ringing the bell?’ his father demanded.

Ed blinked in surprise. ‘I, uh, I wasn’t sure you’d want me just walking in.’

‘As if this won’t always be your home! Get inside with you.’

Ed stepped over the threshold and the familiar smell that was uniquely home enveloped him like a hug. His dad took the basket from him, shoved it on the hall table next to the house phone and then Ed was enfolded in a massive bear hug. He clamped his arms around his dad and hung on as though his life depended upon it. ‘I’m sorry, Dad, I never meant to worry you.’

‘I know you didn’t, son, but do something like that again and you and me will be falling out.’ Jago kissed his cheek. ‘We’ll say no more about it, eh?’ He stepped back and winked at Ed, then raised his voice to call up the stairs. ‘Rachel! Come and see what the cat’s dragged in!’

His mum appeared at the top of the stairs a moment later and let out a little shriek as she spotted Ed standing there. ‘Oh, darling, you’re home!’ She hurried down the stairs and Ed caught her in a hug.

‘Hello, Mum, I’m sorry for not keeping in touch.’

She pulled back, raising her hands to frame his face. ‘Not another word about it. You’re safe and well and that’s all that matters.’ She kissed him. ‘I made shepherd’s pie for your tea.’

‘My favourite.’ All of a sudden Ed felt teary. He coughed to cover it then turned and picked up the flower basket. ‘I got these for you. I thought they’d look nice on the table.’

‘How lovely! I bought a new runner for the table and they’ll match it exactly.’

Ed laughed. ‘A new runner? How many is that now?’ One was one too many as far as he was concerned, but his mum loved dressing the house for any event and she always went all out for Christmas.

She pulled a face at his teasing. ‘Don’t you start. I hear enough of that from your father. Take your coat off and come on through to the kitchen and we’ll have a drink to celebrate you being back.’

And just like that all was forgiven, though in Ed’s case definitely not forgotten. He hung his coat up on the hook that had always been his and followed his parents into the kitchen. Rather than sitting at the table as he usually would, he crossed to the sink and washed his hands, then turned to his mother. ‘Right, what needs doing?’

Rachel raised her brows at him and he thought for a minute she would wave off his offer to help. ‘Oh, well, there’s some salad bits in the fridge – you could wash them for me if you don’t mind.’

‘Of course not.’ Ed didn’t just wash them, though, he sliced and diced and whipped up a dressing too. He might not have Harry’s skills in the kitchen but he knew his way around.

‘Things still going well with Oceanic Research and Discovery?’ Jago asked him as he opened the drawer next to Ed and began taking out cutlery for the table.

Ed smiled. ‘It’s brilliant, Dad, honestly, I love it so much. The research we’ve been doing on coastal erosion is fascinating and it ties in so well with what I was studying here, but it’s the educational side I’ve been enjoying the most.’

‘You sound surprised about that.’

Ed shrugged. ‘Yeah, I wasn’t sure it was really me but it’s been amazing. It helps that everyone who signs up for the trips is already an enthusiast, so they’re keen to expand their knowledge.’

‘Well, I’m not surprised you’re good at it,’ his mum said, coming over to place an arm around his waist and give him a squeeze. ‘You’ve always been a people person and you find a way to get along with everyone. My sweet little charmer, that’s what I used to call you and you haven’t changed a bit.’

‘Mum!’ Ed blushed and laughed.

‘What? It’s true. All you’ve ever had to do is turn that smile of yours on someone and they’d give you the shirt off their back if you asked them.’ She eyed his garish red top covered in white tropical flowers. ‘Though if I were you I’d probably give that one back.’

‘Hey, I paid good money for this!’ He knew she meant it as a compliment, but Ed had come to understand enough about himself to recognise it as a flaw as much as a strength. Being able to get away with stuff had made him irresponsible and lazy. ‘Luckily I earn enough to pay for my own shirts, these days,’ he said. The words sounded prickly as they came out. Not wanting to put a damper on the evening, Ed decided to make that charm work for him. ‘I don’t want the shirt off your back, but there is something you could do for me.’

‘Oh, here we go,’ his mum said with a knowing laugh.

‘It’s nothing bad, I promise! I called in to see Frankie on my way here to apologise for the mix-up last night and she’s at something of a loose end for Christmas…’

‘Is she sticking around, then? I thought she’d be heading off to wherever she lives as soon as they’d finished filming.’

Ed shrugged and gave his mum a sheepish grin. ‘I might have suggested she stay on.’

‘Oh, really?’ The way his mother perked up set Ed’s warning radar off.

‘It’s nothing like that, Mum! I just got the impression she hasn’t got much in the way of family and I didn’t like the idea of her being alone for Christmas.’

‘Then of course she must stay on and join us. One more won’t make any difference, will it?’ Rachel turned to Jago.