Ghost's family insisted on meeting you soon. You were his first serious girlfriend in years, and they were desperate to meet you. And what better time of the year to do so than on Christmas.

Now, you find yourself sitting on a plane to Manchester, your boyfriend Ghost by your side. He takes the occasional sip of his coffee while he tries to prepare you for the whirlwind of his boisterous family.

Ghost turns to you, breaking the silence of the long flight. "It's going to be quite strange," he remarks. "Bringing a woman home for Christmas, especially after so long since the last time, and especially one from my unit."

You were extremely nervous, not knowing much about British families or their humour.