Alex’s brother and his family arrive with them– Uncle Claus and Aunt July, and our cousin Tj, a twenty-year-old veterinary student. Then we got Mayres sister Aunt Lily, Alex’s sister Emma and her husband Georg and their new baby boy – the house is pretty full. Hopefully a bit later I’ll be able to sneak off to my room for a break.

‘Ben, darling,’ says Tj from across the kids table once Christmas dinner is fully underway. Tj looks excellent in whatever he wears and has been allowed to attend Christmas day in jeans. He points a fork at Ben, who’s on my left. ‘You need to tell me all about your new boyfriend.’

Ben shuffles in his chair. He’s wearing black jeans and still the navy Adidas sweatshirt, which I suddenly realise belongs to Marlon. I think he choose his outfit purposefully to annoy Mayres.

Tj takes a decisive mouthful of potato. ‘What’s his name?’

‘Marlon.’ There’s a bit of hesitation in his voice. He probably didn’t expect an inquisition on top of his other issues with dinner.

‘How long have you been going out?’

‘Er …one year.’

‘Oh! Not exactly new, then!’ Tj laughs.

Ben fiddles with his sweatshirt sleeves. ‘Haha …no …’

Tj clearly can’t tell that he’s making Ben uncomfortable. Ben keeps glancing towards where Grandma and Grandad are sitting, making sure they can’t hear anything from our table. Ben doesn’t want to come out to Grandma and Grandad yet because we think they might be a bit homophobic. Lots of old people are, unfortunately.

‘And you meet at school, did you?’

I wish Tj would just shut up. This isn’t his fucking business.

‘Yeah but we came together after my girlfriend died.’ Ben forces a laugh. ‘Did Uncle Claus tell you all this, or …?’

 ‘Oh God, yes, you know what he’s like.’

Tj watches Ben carefully. He is trying to plait Alexander’s hair, much to Alexander’s irritation.

Tj continuous, ‘You should totally bring him to ours tomorrow.’

We went to their house last year for Boxing Day, and boyfriends and girlfriends are always welcome, but it’s not like me have ever had anyone to bring before, since he only started dating Marlon last year and I dislike most people.

Ben smiles awkwardly. ‘Oh, I think he’s doing stuff with his family tomorrow.’

Tj pouts. ‘Aw, that’s a shame.’ And then he piercing gaze swaps to me. ‘What about you, Bella? Any lovely men in your life?’

I fight down the urge to hysterically laugh. ‘Um. No. Haha. No.’

Tj does the laughing for me. ‘Oh gosh, you are not missing much, I promise you that. Straight boys are absolute worst.’ He points his fork towards Alexander. ‘Let’s hope that this one turns out better.’

‘He might not be straight,’ Ben finally pitches in. His voice sounds startlingly like Tj’s but I think I like Tj. We’ve had some okay conversation about Doctor Who.

‘You’re so right,’ says Tj, leaning on one hand, gazing at Alexander like he’s a newborn. ‘Ben, when did you know you were bi?’