Perfect Mishap
Page 18
All that’s left is for Henry to bring the turkey home tonight. Then we all snuggle up and read Christmas stories before putting the kids to bed, ready for Santa to come. While we’re waiting, Henry and I are going to have wine and order in a pizza.
Not sure I can wait until tonight for something to eat though.
Suddenly, after all my hard work, I’m starving. I head into the lounge to grab a handful of Christmas chocolates, planning to crash out on the sofa with the kids for half an hour before I start cooking their tea.
Just as I’m unwrapping a green-foil-wrapped triangle of chocolate and deciding what topping to have on my pizza, my phone bings from inside my pocket.
Pulling it out, I try not to acknowledge how snug my jeans are, and instead look at the message on the screen. NO WAY—I can’t believe it. I close my eyes for a few seconds.
Why does my mother always make life difficult for me?
Opening my eyes again, I glare at my phone and re-read the message.
AUNT V UNCLE R HOUSE FLOODED. THEM MANDA JAMES AND TWINS COMING WITH US TO YOURS STOP. LOL MUM XXX
It used to take me ages to decipher my mum’s text messages, but this one is as clear as day. At four p.m. on Christmas Eve, my mum has added six extra people—two of those toddlers—to the eleven I already have to feed. Oh, and she thinks LOL means lots of love, not laugh out loud—which would actually be more appropriate given the circumstances.
Two extra toddlers. That means three toddlers will be trashing my house while I’m cooking Christmas dinner.
Last time we had a toddler play date, all three had taken their nappies off and stuffed them down the toilet, nearly flooding the bathroom.
Dottie—focus. There are bigger problems than two additional toddlers.
There’s not enough food.
Even though the turkey Henry is picking up is massive, there is nowhere near enough food for Uncle Rob’s appetite. I’ve seen him devour a Sunday roast quicker than I can neck a gin and tonic.
I’m going to have to go shopping.
I can’t imagine anything worse than the supermarkets on Christmas Eve but I have no other choice.
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