Chapter EighteenChristmas Day arrived. Lara did some last-minute shopping to account for all the extra guests residing at the house on Nithsdale Avenue. Catherine invited Dan to stay in the attic room and ensconced herself back in her luxurious back bedroom. Arama made no attempt to engage with Lara, the silence behind her headboard eerie. She left him alone to deal with his hurts.
Catharine and Dan rescued the tree from outside the back door and decorated it together. Too much red wine and hilarity created a gaudy affair with strings of tinsel and mismatched baubles. But the cat seemed happiest of all; his equilibrium restored. Kerry planned to spend Christmas day with her new man and his family but loved the present Lara gave her. “Oh my gosh, I love them!” She squealed with enthusiasm
