"Yeah," Charlie said with a wan smile. "Can't afford to be ill over Christmas. D and I will be having the usual open house for anyone who feels hungry. Last count we'd got twelve people definitely for lunch and maybe a few others to wander in for sandwiches and cake in the course of the day as work allows."
He coughed again. "I plan to spend most of Boxing Day asleep. See you around Cindy. If you fancy dropping by you'll be very welcome."