In The Spirit: Holiday Together, #2

By Emily Bourne

A drama-free Christmas. Who are they kidding?

 

The plan is simple. Christmas Day lunch with their divorced parents, their step mother, and step siblings. Avoid at all costs: any ex-boyfriends and wicked former friends. And most importantly, maintain the delicate relationship between the twin sisters.

 

When drama is on brand, can Brittany and Charli get through the holiday season without any scandals? Or will the past doom them to face an emotional battle? Maybe a Christmas miracle will help change their luck.

 

In The Spirit is a Christmas story that is best read alongside the In It Together series. The story can stand alone and be an entry point for new readers.

However, it is an epilogue to the third book in the series and will contain spoilers for ytthe main series. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Emily Bourne
• Release date: Dec 1, 2021
• ISBN: 9781925990133

Emily Bourne

Emily Bourne is an author from central west NSW, meaning she’s an Aussie Country girl at heart. Emily writes books about self-discovery and finding love. Believing, you can’t have a romantic relationship that works until you truly love yourself. She specialises in teen and young adult novels about social issues, layered with romantic suspense. Emily’s books can have you laughing-out-loud, reaching for the tissues, cramping with anxiety, and your heart swelling double-size. She spends her days diligently writing, procrastinating on Instagram (@iemilybourne), and distractedly playing with her cat Norman.

Book preview

1

Charli

There’s a chill to the breeze, despite the forecast predicting a perfect summer day. I’m putting it down to the fact it’s only seven in the morning as Reece and I walk into the cemetery. Thank goodness the yellow sun is creeping overhead, or my bones would certainly chill. The only good part about being here is visiting Kellie. I could just do without the heavy reminder of death.

You look like you’re gonna hurl, Reece says indelicately.

Thanks.

Are you?

No, I say, gripping the strap of my satchel bag to distract my mind. I just want to get to her grave and focus on her, not all the others.

How can the graves freak you out so much?

Maybe because my sister gave me some fresh reminders about how easily I can lose someone I love.

Oh.

I’m ok, I say with a heavy exhale. I swallow hard, trying to rid the extra saliva filling my mouth. Freaking gross.

I force myself to keep up with Reece’s brisk pace, and we land at Kellie’s resting place.

Hey Kel, I say, placing a hand on her tombstone. What’s up?

Reece hisses. "Lame."

Shuddup. She’d appreciate it.

Yeah, she’d be the only one, Reece says, sitting on the grass. That’s what makes Kellie so great. She’d make any loser feel awesome.

I scoff as I sit beside the stonework. I can’t believe you just called me a loser.

Reece grins. It’s ok. I’m a loser too.

I laugh, leaning against the tombstone. I look to the sky, and say, See what I have to put up with, Kellie?

Reece flops backward and runs a hand against the grass. I miss you.

A tear prickles against my eye as I watch my best friend stare at nothing. I suck in a breath and pat my eyes.

Keep it happy, I whisper. I don’t want to fall apart.

He rolls onto his side and meets my eyes. I am happy.

I purse my lips as I smile. Me too. I just know that deep down I’d be happier with her alive.

But she’s always with us. You believe that?

I do, I say, a heaviness weighing on my chest. But I’ll never get over her being gone.

No one will, he says, sitting up. He presses a hand against the stonework. But let’s not bum her out. Kel, I promise we are living life extra for you.

I smile and place a hand over his, and look at the engraved letters of Kellie Margaret Saunders. I promise too.

I got you something, Reece says, pulling something out of his pocket. I had no idea what to get you. Sorry, if it’s dumb.

You didn’t have to do that, I say, taking the small card. I’m sure it’s not dumb.

I open the card to see the info for the campus cafe at our university.

I thought this might help you get through your first year of uni, Reece says. It’s for one free coffee every weekday. And I checked, you can get green tea in place of a coffee. If you want.

"Aw, that’s so sweet, I gush. A coffee a day? For how long?"

The year.

A year’s worth? That’s mad. Man, thank you. It’s too much.

He bats a hand. No, it’s not. You’re totally worth it. Merry Christmas, Charli.

Thank you. I got you something too, I say, pulling out the gift from my satchel bag.

In usual Reece style, he carefully unsticks the tape as he unwraps it. I sit on my hands to stop myself from ripping open the paper for him.

Reece smiles at the unwrapped game, and I can tell he’s about to burst into laughter.

What? I ask with suspicion.

He looks up at me and asks, Guess what’s sitting inside my console right now?

My mouth falls open. "No. You have it already?"

He shrugs. We can still play it.

You’ve probably finished it twice already.

He hands the game to me. You should keep this one and practice.

I laugh and take the game. I’ll get you something else.

He smiles and shakes his head. No, don’t. My gift is you beating me one day.

I blow a raspberry. How is that a gift?

Because I’ll be able to see how hard you tried.

Are you saying I don’t usually try?

I’d enjoy seeing the effort, is what I mean.

I shrug, placing the game back in my satchel. Whatever. I’ll be happy to beat you. And, thank you for my gift.

He smiles. You’re welcome.

After a long while, sitting in quiet contemplation with our third amigo, Reece and I get ready to return to our respective families. We take the winding path we took when entering, and Reece clears his throat.

It’s Bryce, Reece whispers with a subtle nod to the left.

I turn my head to see Bryce, his father, and his sister, walking through the cemetery.

They’re visiting his mum, I whisper back.

Reece nods with a blank expression.

Bryce’s head turns in our direction. He lifts a hand to wave at us.

I wave back, and then nudge Reece to do the same.

Do we have to say hello? Reece mutters.

I shake my head. No. They’ve just gotten here. We waved. That’s enough.

Good. I didn’t want to break any rules.

What rules?

Break up rules. Aren’t we supposed to side with Brittany?

It’s Christmas Day and we are in a cemetery, I reply. I think that negates any post break up etiquette.

You gonna tell her you saw him?

I shrug. I dunno. I don’t think she needs to know.

He nods. Safe bet.

As we reach my sister’s red Beetle she lent me, I ask, Ready for the noise of Christmas?

Ah, no, he says flatly. You should stay and play the game with me.

So you can feel superior when you whoop my butt repeatedly?

Sounds good to me, Reece teases.

"Playing video games with you does sound perfect.