TWH

1 - Staying at the Hiddleston's

Tom was my best friend's brother. It's a right of passage in life, right, to fancy your friend's older brother?! Emma and I lived on the same floor in halls, and from the first night at uni we were inseparable. I wasn't quite sure how I'd managed life before her, we just clicked and after years of not really bothering with close friends, I had one. I couldn't fuck things up by falling for her brother.

The first term at uni flew and everyone was beginning to head home for Christmas. Emma and I had planned to meet up in the holidays and go and meet each other's families. I didn't expect my parents to be away right up until Christmas Day though, and the thought of siting home alone for a week wasn't so appealing.

'Come and stay with me for a bit' Emma beamed.

'Mum loves a full house, Tom will be home but Sarah's spending Christmas at her husband's so there'll be a free bed' she was practically jumping with excitement. 'Go on. I'm not sure I can cope with my mum and Tom alone. I need back up and you'll be bored shitless!'

'Fine' I gave in 'but I'm not just turning up like a stray. Give your Mum a ring and check first please. I don't want to embarrass myself by being turned away'

Emma rang her mum straight away and everything was arranged for me to come and stay a few nights before my family could make it back to England.
As much as I was used to them being away, I wasn't so used to being invited to someone else's place. I was a little nervous, meeting new people always had me slightly on edge, especially as I'd seen pictures of her brother and he made me kinda giggly!

Emma's car pulled into the drive of a picturesque Oxfordshire house - something from a country living magazine! We grabbed our things and Emma led the way. The lobby was vast and there was a wide wooden staircase in front of us. We dumped our bags as Emma shouted an announcement of our arrival. Her mum flew in from the kitchen 'Emma! My baby girl!' She flung her arms around Em and the two of them rocked in their hug for quite a while. 'And you must be Sophie. It's a pleasure to meet you, lovely' she embraced me too in a welcoming hug. 'Right, it's officially Christmas and past midday!' Diana announced. 'Shall I open a bottle of wine?' We all smiled and I was thankful for a little alcohol to ease the new relationships.

We made our way to a large kitchen with a beautiful oak breakfast bar/raised table. Diana sorted drinks and I started to get to know everyone. The door to the kitchen opened again and was filled with a tall, frame. His Curly hair was shorter than the photos and the tv episode he was in (that Emma and I drunkenly watched and ripped the piss out of) 'yay the small one's home' he walked to Emma and gave her a boisterous hug, that only a brother can give.

There was a 6 year age gap between the two and although Emma said it had been hard at times when they were growing up the two of them had a great relationship. He spotted me and walked over, hand out to be shaken. 'Hi, I'm Tom. I guess you're Sophie. Mum's been very excited that Emma's made a friend let alone found someone mad enough to visit here'

'Nice to meet you Tom' he smiled and my heart fluttered slightly. He held my hand a little too long and Emma responded with a kick to his leg. 'down boy!' She scolded 'she's far too young and full of sense for you' everyone giggled and I blushed. He really was hot and I wasn't going to say no to a bit of flirting.

'So, we'll have a quiet one this evening' Diana planned 'then we've got a few people over on the 22nd for a bit of a Christmas get together if that's ok? How long are you staying for Sophie'

'Oh my parents are back in the country in Christmas Eve but I can get out of your hair when ever you'd like Mrs Hiddleston' I'd never quite figured out when to call friend parent's by their first names. Most of my boarding school friends had army parents and they liked to be referred to as major, or colonel or something.

'Please dear, call me Diana! No need to be so formal' Tom could you help the girls with their bags and we'll get Sophie settled in.

"She's been looking forward to a bit of company, so I'm sorry if she's a bit ott!" Tom carried my bag upstairs and showed me to Sarah's old room. He pointed out the others on the way. "Emma's down on the right, mum's there, bathroom opposite your's and I'm next door," he pushed his door open and I had a quick peek in. It looked very neat and tidy. He'd not been back long though so I wasn't sure if he was always so clean or just not settled in yet.

"I'll leave you to unpack. Red or white?"

"Sorry, what?" I tilted my head.

"Wine? Tis the season and all that. Red or white?" He had a beautiful smile, I found my self bubble inside slightly. No! Mustn't get giddy over Emma's brother!

"Uuum red would be great. Thank you"

"Ace. I'll sort it!" He bounded off back down stairs and I sat on the bed and took a deep breath. I opened my bag but couldn't be bothered to actually unpack at all.

"You coming back down?" Emma swung on the door

"Yup!" I followed her down. Tom had poured the wine and Diana was sorting something for us all to eat.