Page 72 of Five Gold Rings

‘We just have one more ring to deliver and then I’ll be there, I promise.’ I put the call on speaker to save my ear drums.

‘EEEEEEVVVVVEEEEE!’ I hear the hum of Christmas and plates rattling behind him and someone telling a joke. I know that laugh.

‘Tell Dad I’ll be there. I’ll definitely be there. Where is he?’

‘Dad is busy cooking chicken. We ran out of turkey.’

‘How did you run out of turkey?’

‘We didn’t anticipate the rush. Is that reggaeton music I can hear? Where are you? You told me you’ve been delivering rings, you’re such a liar. You’re at a gig.’

I’m still aghast that they’ve run out of turkey, a Christmas staple. I look at the rearview mirror where Joe sits earwigging but also pointing downwards. Is he pointing to his crotch? I hope not. I may pass out. Oh, he’s pointing to the seat next to him. Our stolen turkey, still chilling in the back of his Mini. I forgot that was even there.

‘Hold up, Noel.’ I cover the mouthpiece, turning in my seat. ‘Did you not want that?’ I ask Joe.

‘No? I can’t take it all the way to Brighton with me. It’s too big for my fridge as well. If Noel needs a turkey, he should have it,’ he explains. ‘We can drop it off before the last ring.’

‘Really?’ I reply, surprised but also excited that I may see my family sooner rather than later.

‘Yeah. As long as they won’t mind me dropping in, though? I feel very overdressed.’

‘Oh, where we’re going, you’ll fit right in,’ I explain, laughing. ‘Actually, you don’t have that elf outfit in the boot, do you?’

There is something about coming back to places you know that can really reset your soul, that make you feel safe and happy, and this is one of those places. As we park up outside, I can see the faint outline of colourful paper hats, visible through the fogged-up glass. It looks like the cosiest of Christmas parties and I can’t wait to get inside.

Joe, however, looks up at the building, confused. ‘Your dad owns a restaurant?’ he asks me.

‘Not really. The people who own the restaurant open it up and my family are part of a group of who cook Christmas dinner for people in the community – people who maybe don’t have family. To give them somewhere to be.’ I look up at the restaurant, memories of the parties we’ve held here making my heart sing.

‘That’s amazing,’ he mumbles.

‘You should come in, meet everyone, you’ll love them.’ However, before I have a chance to say anything else, there’s a rapping on the car window and someone stands there with a vape hanging out of his hand. He cups his hands looking into the car.

‘YOU!’ he says, opening the door and pulling me onto the pavement and into a hearty embrace. We stand there for far too long, but I guess that’s allowed when it’s your brother.

‘About bloody time,’ he tells me, looking me in the face. ‘I was so worried about you. I’m your shitting twin. I don’t know when that stopped meaning something!’

‘I’m sorry?’

‘She’s sorry,’ he says, laughing. ‘I love you so much, you daft girl. I love that you’re here. It’s CHRISTMAS!’ He makes me jump up and down with him on the spot and I join in because it’s Noel but also because I’m here, this feels like home, a chance to finally let loose and be myself. Another familiar figure comes out of the restaurant and heads over to me, too, wrapping his arms around me and lifting me a little off the ground. I lied before, this feels like home. Dad. I stand back to look at both of them, tears in my eyes. Oh my life, they’re in matching Santa jumpers with little dangly legs.

‘EEEEEEVVVVVE! Merry bloody Christmas! Look at you, you’ve gone all fancy on us. You’re here,’ he says, pushing me back to study my face. ‘Noel told me everything. Are you alright?’

'Good news travels fast then,’ I mumble. ‘I’m sorry I’ve been so quiet and absent. I just didn’t know what to do.’

Dad shakes his head. ‘Well, you’re here now. You take your time with all of that. We’re just glad you’re safe.’

‘For the record, though, he is an absolute crapbag!’ Noel adds, jutting an angry finger into the air. ‘I’ll kill him. Can I kill him? We can run him over as he comes out of work. I have it all planned out,’ he shouts before clocking someone else sitting there in the car, listening to everything. ‘Who are you?’

Joe gets out of the car slowly, loitering by the passenger side. ‘I am Joe,’ he says, waving.

‘The friend on the phone?’ Noel quizzes him.

‘The very one.’

Noel nods at him, his face a cold mask, obviously trying to work him out.

‘Just to clarify, my dad is a tiler and plasterer, and my brother works in an optician’s, they’re not hardened London gang lords,’ I say, trying to lighten the mood. ‘Dad, this is Joe. Joe, this is my dad, Nick, and my brother, Noel.’ He heads over and shakes both of their hands.