It made a pretty dismal sight. Hannah put it on the coffee table and stared at it. ‘Well,’ Gina said, ‘she’s given us some corkers over the years but this one really takes the biscuit.’ ‘This one takes the whole tin,’ Hannah said. ‘It takes the McVities factory,’ Jess put in. She started to giggle, and seconds later, all three were in fits of laughter. ‘Good old Aunt Dot,’ Hannah said, wiping tears away. ‘It’s good to know she’s still as nutty as ever.’ ‘Tight as a fish’s arse. I think she only pretends to be nutty so she can get away with giving everyone shit.’ Jess rattled the box containing her own gift from the great-aunt in question doubtfully. ‘It’d be better if she just came clean and stopped giving us stuff. We’ll only have to dispose of this crap on Boxing Day.’ ‘Awww, where’s your Christmas spirit, niece of mine?’ Hannah picked up the little ornament and grinned at it. There was a faint ping from the kitchen. ‘Well, the unpredictable thrill of opening Aunt Dot’s presents will have to wait for the time being while I go and pull the turkey out of the oven.’ She got up from her knees and brushed her trousers down.
