Pull

Four

'One batch of cupcakes, delivered.' Claire grinned, wedging the large Tupperware box next to a bag of potatoes on the side. 'Don't blame me if they taste horrific.' 

'Did you use salt instead of sugar again?' Sarah smiled back, teasing Claire about the time they'd baked with their dad when they were younger, and Claire had mistakenly put salt in a chocolate sponge cake mixture. 

'Of course not,' Claire replied and stuck her tongue out as she unwound the scarf from her neck. 

It was like being a kid again, hanging out in the kitchen with her twin as they cooked. Or, more accurately, as Sarah cooked. Claire had done her duties and all there was left for her to do now was enjoy the time with her family. Sarah took the turkey from the oven and basted it, sending its aroma around the kitchen. The bags under her eyes made her look tired but, even so, her contented smile seemed to be permanently fixed to her face. It made Claire glow inside just looking at her. After all the trauma Sarah had been through, she was finally happy.  

Claire shrugged her coat off and draped it over the back of one of the chairs at the dining table. 'Where's that beautiful niece of mine?'  

'Mum and Peter have taken her out for a little walk. She's been a bit grumpy and was up most of last night. They should be back any minute.' 

After years of torturing herself for the mistakes of her childhood, Sarah had closed the fifteen year gap with her family and returned to the fold. The enormity of them all preparing to sit around a dining table at Christmas hadn't been mentioned, but the atmosphere was undeniable. It was charged with expectation and hope that the past year, a year where they'd all gotten closer, would continue into the next.  

'Hey, Claire,' Adam said, walking into the kitchen, still dressed in his pyjamas. His brown hair was ruffled and his eyes looked tired as he leaned in to give her a kiss on the cheek. 'Merry Christmas.' 

'Merry Christmas to you too, but what time do you call this?' Claire raised an eyebrow with a grin and looked down at her watch.  

'I was up all night with Ava while this one slept.' He nodded at Sarah and rolled his eyes, but his happiness was clear. It was in stark contrast to the air of rejection he'd had when Claire first met him after his messy split with Sarah last year. 

Claire watched as he kissed the side of Sarah's head before making himself a coffee. Looking at them now, it was hard to believe they'd ever split up at all. They were the vision of the perfect family, and it was only enhanced when their mum and step-dad returned with baby Ava. After hugging them hello, Claire stretched her arms out to scoop up her seven month-old niece. 

'Hello, beautiful.' Claire blew raspberries into Ava's neck, making her squeal. 

What would her own child be like, when she eventually got round to having one? Would it be a travel addict like she was? And would it have the same amber eyes that both she and Sarah had? She held her niece in a hug. All this Christmas bonhomie was clearly getting to her, just like it had in the supermarket. It was easy to imagine herself all settled down when she was with Sarah and Adam, getting a glimpse into how her life could be. 

Her mind turned to Danny. Their messages had been fun and flirtatious, as had the others she'd swapped with guys on Tinder but this time, she wasn't just thinking about someone to add to her list of casual encounters. When he'd texted her that morning, wishing her a happy Christmas, she'd started to think that it might be nice to have someone for more than just a fling. Someone who'd be there when she got back from a trip, waiting for her to snuggle up to, someone to share her Christmases with, like Sarah had.  

'You're so good with her,' Sarah said with a smile. 'I can't wait to see you with one of your own.' 

That was the disadvantage of being a twin. Since they'd grown closer, they always seemed to tap into what the other was thinking, but Claire simply tutted and shook her head as if to say don't be so ridiculous. 

No boyfriends, no kids. She had an epic trip to Singapore to look forward to and whatever this feeling was, she needed to nip it in the bud.