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anything.'
    'I'm sorry.'
    'Hey, don't look like that,' he laughed. 'I'm saying, don't let's rush things. I'm sorry but I can't ... I must go now. It's late.'
    After he'd left, she leaned against the door feeling like a love sick adolescent. At last, she really did have someone special in her life. If Trisha plagued her with questions, there was something to talk about. Really something.
    The final days of term passed in such a whirl of activity that she hardly had time to think. When they finished, she realised she hadn't heard anything at all from Mike. He hadn't even been to college that final day. She hoped nothing had gone wrong or worse still, that she hadn't been dreaming at the weekend. After the inevitable last evening of drinks at the pub, the gang were swapping details of the joys of the coming Christmas. It seemed that every single member of the group was dreading the prospect.
    'Why don't we abandon all our plans and just get together for a booze up?' one of the blokes suggested.
    It occurred to her that if everyone hates it as much as they say, why does everyone make such an effort? They all claimed to love their families, yet dreaded spending time with them over Christmas. Maybe it was the inevitability of everything that dampens the spirits. On the other hand, she'd heard nothing at all from Mike. It had been one of her very worst ideas, ever to invite him to join her family.
    'So,' Trisha was saying. 'Is he coming home with you?'
    'Who?'
    'Who do you think? The gorgeous Mike, of course.'
    'I'm not sure. He has things to sort out and a large family to organise.' Joanne was blushing hard, she knew it. Obviously, Trisha had successfully read her thoughts during the temporary detachment of her body from her brain.
    'What's the family got to with anything?' she asked. 'If he loves you he'll be with you, won't he?'
    'I suppose so.' To her great relief, she let the subject drop and concentrated on another bottle of wine. After a curry and calls of 'have a good one,' Joanne finally arrived home just after ten. She glanced at the machine and the light was flashing to indicate a message. Her knees went weak as she sensed it would be Mike calling. He said it was seven o'clock as he called and was she free for the evening? Typical. The next message was left at nine and a third at ten. She must just have missed that one. Unfortunately, he left no real message, so she was left wondering. She dialled his number. The sound of his voice set her heart pounding.
    'Hi. Sorry to miss you earlier.' She hoped she didn't sound too anxious.
    'Is your invitation for Christmas still on?' he asked.
    'Well,' she hesitated, heart pounding madly. 'Yes, if you want it to be.'
    'I think I've managed to wangle the evening off, after all. Christmas Eve, I mean. If it works out, we can travel to your family that evening and I'm afraid I'd have to leave Boxing Day. How does that sound?'
    She swallowed, hoping to drown the giant lump that appeared in her throat.
    'Sounds great,' she squeaked. 'I just hope you don't regret it. My family can be quite tedious.'
    'You'll be there. Besides, you'll be doing me a favour. I was dreading the prospect of the family fun day they all plan at my place.'
    'I'll call Mum right away. She'll be over the moon, I'm sure. Just hope you can cope with her. You do realise you'll get the third degree from her? And she's no idea what the word subtle means.'
    'I'll practice between now and then,' He said with a laugh. 'One more favour. Will you come shopping with me on Saturday? I'll need your help to choose presents for them. You might help with some of my family's too. I'm working in the evening, but we can spend the day together.'
    They chatted for a while and finally stopped so she could convey the news to my mother.
    'Why are you ringing so late dear? Is everything all right? You're not changing your mind about Christmas I hope?'
    'Mum. Please stop and listen. I'm sorry it's late but I've been out.'
    'I've just made