The Christmas Collection

by Victoria Connelly

  ‘Oh?’ She didn’t dare turn to look at him.

  ‘Yes,’ he said. ‘Do you remember it too?’

  She continued to look into the fire, watching the little orange flicks of flame and the shifting worlds of ash.

  ‘I’m really tired,’ she said, getting up from the fire and making to leave the room.

  ‘Rowan?’ Nick called after her.

  She paused, her hand on the door.

  ‘Thanks,’ he said.

  ‘What for?’

  ‘For being so sweet with Dad.’

  ‘You don’t need to thank me,’ she told him, risking a look at him.

  Oh, how she wished she hadn’t looked back at him kneeling down by the fireside, his face softly lit by the light from the Christmas tree, his hair flopping over his face and that irrepressible smile of his. She’d refused to talk about her memories of the wedding – that one very particular memory of the wedding she’d felt sure he was alluding to – but she couldn’t help remembering it.

  ‘Good night, Nick,’ she said, quickly leaving the room before her feelings betrayed her.

  ‘Good night, Rowan,’ he called after her.

  CHAPTER 7

  When Rachel woke up on Christmas morning, she peppered her sleeping husband with kisses until he was wide awake too.

  ‘Merry Christmas!’ she whispered.

  ‘What time is it?’

  ‘I don’t know. But it’s light and it’s Christmas morning. And it’s a white Christmas too. Can you believe it? There’s really good thick snow out there. I had a peep before. It’s like a scene from a Christmas card.’

  He laughed as she got out of bed. ‘You’re like a big kid,’ he told her.

  ‘Come on, let’s get up and put the presents under the tree.’

  ‘The midget tree?’

  ‘At least we’ve got one. There wouldn’t be one here at all if we hadn’t shown up. Can you imagine? Christmas without a tree and decorations!’

  ‘Outrageous!’

  ‘Yes, it is,’ Rachel said, pulling the duvet off her husband in an attempt to get him out of bed. Finally, he complied and the two of them got washed and dressed before leaving their room.

  The house was quiet as they sneaked down the stairs like a couple of children in search of presents.

  ‘Where did you leave them?’ Paul asked.

  ‘They’re in a bag in the kitchen.’

  The two of them walked through to the kitchen.

  ‘How’s about a coffee first?’ Paul suggested.

  ‘No! Presents first!’

  Paul shook his head, but he was smiling. He knew it was the only day of the year when coffee didn’t come first.

  They took the heap of presents, that Rachel had carefully packed, into the living room and placed them under the Christmas tree, switching the lights on and admiring the glittering, twinkling scene. Nothing beat a real tree at Christmas no matter how small it was, she thought. Christmas just wouldn’t be the same without one and she was so glad she’d brought it with them now, no matter how ridiculous they’d all thought her decision at the time.

  Then they started to unwrap their gifts, each taking it in turns to pick one from under the tree.

  ‘Look – it’s a cute little bathroom set from Maria.’

  ‘Didn’t she give you the same thing last year?’

  ‘I think so, but it’s the thought that counts.’

  ‘Shouldn’t we wait for the others before opening all these?’

  Rachel wrinkled her nose. ‘I get the feeling that they aren’t into the whole Christmas vibe. I’ve explained to Ro that I haven’t brought her a present as I wasn’t expecting to see her, and Bryan and Nick don’t strike me as the sort to exchange gifts.’

  ‘Maybe you’re right.’

  ‘Rowan was at the cottage to try and forget about Christmas and you’ve seen what Mr Madden’s like,’ Rachel went on.

  Paul nodded. ‘Okay, then, give me my presents!’

  Rachel laughed and the two of them set to opening all their gifts.

  ‘Socks from Mum,’ Paul said a moment later.

  ‘Good walking socks, though,’ Rachel told him, ‘and most of your others are horrifically holey.’

  ‘A good excuse to get out walking again. Oh, and a box set of that new drama from Dad. I think he only buys me DVDs he wants to watch. Look – it’s been opened already!’

  Rachel giggled and then she gasped as she opened a tiny box she’d just unwrapped. ‘Paul!’

  ‘Yes?’

  ‘I love it!’ She held a little gold necklace up to the light and he leaned forward to kiss her.

  ‘Let me put it on,’ he said, taking it from her and placing it around her neck once she’d scooped up her dark hair. ‘There.’

  She placed her hand over it and smiled at him. ‘Thank you.’

  Paul opened his present from Rachel next. It was a set of books by Alfred Wainwright, the walker famous for his illustrated guides of the Lake District.

  ‘I knew your old ones were falling apart,’ she said.

  ‘They’re great,’ he said. ‘I promise not to drop them into any lakes or off the tops of mountains.’

  After finishing unwrapping everything, they collected up all the paper.

  ‘I never want to throw Christmas paper away,’ Rachel said. ‘I love all the sparkly colours and silly pictures of penguins and Santas.’

  ‘Well, I wouldn’t leave anything around for Mr Madden to complain about.’

  ‘Does he really hate Christmas so much?’

  Paul shrugged. ‘I don’t think so. I think he’s just a bit tight with his money, that’s all.’

  ‘And was he always so rude?’

  Paul grinned. ‘Kind of. I remember him barking at me when I’d visit in the holidays at uni. I just used to laugh it off. He doesn’t mean anything by it. It’s just his way.’

  ‘Well, I wish we were at the cottage. Just the two of us.’

  ‘Even without Ro?’

  Rachel sighed. ‘As much as I love my sister, I wanted it to be just the two of us this Christmas. Is that selfish of me?’

  ‘No,’ he said, coming forward and kissing her again. ‘Maybe next year will work out better.’

  ‘I hope Rowan isn’t too miserable about being here. You know – with Nick.’

  ‘She didn’t seem bothered last night.’

  ‘No?’

  ‘They seemed to be getting on okay.’

  ‘Ro’s always been a master in diplomacy.’

  ‘Someone mention my name?’

  ‘Rowan!’ Rachel cried.

  ‘Merry Christmas.’

  They were all exchanging hugs and kisses just as Nick and his father walked into the room, closely followed by Harley who’d obviously spent the night upstairs in somebody’s bedroom.

  ‘You lot still here?’ Bryan said.

  ‘Merry Christmas, Mr Madden,’ Rachel cried, coming forward and giving the old man a kiss on his cheek. He looked startled at first, but then mildly pleased.

  Nick laughed. ‘You’ve got red lipstick on you, Dad.’

  ‘Leave it. It might be the last chance I ever get to sport such a souvenir!’

  ‘Well,’ Rachel said, ‘I think we’d better start thinking about getting the lunch organised.’

  Bryan shook his head. ‘I don’t want anybody fussing around. A sandwich will do me.’

  ‘Nonsense, Dad,’ Nick said. ‘It’s Christmas and I for one don’t want to make do with a limp sandwich.’

  ‘And you won’t have to,’ Paul said. ‘We’ve got enough to feed an army.’

  ‘And I’ve found the prettiest dining set in the dresser,’ Rachel went on. ‘Can we use that?’

  Bryan looked confused.

  ‘It’s white with a pretty red and gold pattern around the rims. Perfect for Christmas.’

  ‘I haven’t used that in years,’ Bryan said and Rachel saw that Nick was looking uneasy.

  ‘It was Mum’s,’ he said quietly. />
  ‘Oh, well we don’t have to use it,’ Rachel said.

  ‘No,’ Bryan said, ‘let’s get it out. If you’re going to force Christmas on me, let’s do it properly.’

  Rachel beamed him a smile. ‘Great!’

  Paul grinned. ‘I’d take cover if I was you. Rachel doing Christmas is like nothing else on this planet!’

  *

  Paul wasn’t joking. After they’d all had breakfast, Rachel gave everyone a job to do from peeling potatoes to finding the most Christmassy music on the radio. No detail was overlooked.

  The bed and breakfast dining room which hadn’t been used for its true purpose in years and was heaped with junk was emptied of its superfluous contents by Nick. A beautiful red tablecloth was found and Rowan laid the table with the pretty dining set Rachel had found in the dresser before lighting candles.

  ‘They’re my power cut candles!’ Bryan cried in alarm.

  ‘We’ll replace them before we leave,’ Nick assured him.

  Bryan shook his head, but there was a tiny smile edging its way across his face.

  Finally, everything was ready and a slow procession of Christmas food made its way to the dining room table including a big bone which Nick had bought especially for Harley as a Christmas treat.

  ‘Did this all come out of my kitchen?’ Bryan asked in disbelief as Nick cracked open a bottle of wine.

  ‘Glad you didn’t plump for the sandwich option now?’ Rachel teased him.

  ‘Well I – I never saw the like!’

  ‘Oh, come on, Dad! We used to celebrate Christmas in style before I moved to London,’ Nick said.

  ‘Yes, and that’s so long ago, I can hardly remember what a real Christmas is like,’ Bryan said and Nick nodded, his eyes taking on a melancholy look.

  ‘Yeah, well that should change from now on,’ Nick said. ‘Let this be the first of many Christmases to be celebrated in true style!’

  ‘Hear hear!’ Paul said, raising his class.

  After that, the eating began. Rachel, Paul, Rowan and Nick had all played their part in the kitchen. Even Bryan had pitched in at once stage, topping and tailing the carrots and helping to make the gravy. It was a true feast and Rachel had to admit that she couldn’t have enjoyed it more even though she’d previously wished that it was just her and Paul for Christmas.

  She looked around the table. She missed a family gathering at Christmas. Rowan had spent one Christmas with her and Paul since they’d got together, but had made excuses the other years, and Paul’s parents liked to go abroad for the holidays. So it was wonderful to have a table surrounded by people and she caught Rowan’s eye and smiled. Her sister, who was sitting next to Nick on the other side of the table, smiled back. Although Rachel couldn’t help but notice that there was definitely some tension between Rowan and Nick. They barely said a word to each other. Had something happened that she wasn’t aware of?

  After finishing the main course, Rachel insisted on preparing dessert herself, drenching the Christmas pudding in brandy and setting it alight before bringing it to the table. A round of applause greeted her.

  ‘How come you’ve not found yourself a wife like that?’ Bryan asked his son from his place at the head of the table.

  ‘Ah, Paul has all the luck,’ Nick said quickly.

  ‘But she’s got a sister,’ Bryan went on. ‘Look! She’s right beside you.’

  ‘Dad!’

  Rachel saw her sister’s face flush in embarrassment.

  ‘What?’ his father said. ‘Don’t you want to meet somebody?’

  ‘This isn’t the time or place to discuss it.’

  ‘Well, don’t you?’

  ‘Yes, of course I do.’

  ‘Then you’d better get a move on,’ Bryan said. ‘Hey – pretty one. What’s her name again?’

  ‘Rowan,’ Nick said.

  ‘So you do think she’s pretty at least?’ Bryan said.

  ‘I think you should eat your pudding before it gets cold.’

  ‘The pudding will keep. This won’t,’ Bryan said. ‘Rowan?’

  Rachel watched, paralysed by the scene developing before her and feeling helpless to stop it.

  ‘You got a young man?’

  Rowan cleared her throat and put her spoon down. ‘No.’

  ‘No?’

  ‘I’ve just broken up with someone,’ she said, not looking up from her Christmas pudding.

  ‘Just broken up with someone you say?’

  ‘That’s what she said, Dad. Now drop it, eh?’

  ‘Was he blind or something?’ Bryan went on undeterred. ‘A beauty like you.’

  ‘Dad, please!’

  ‘What? Is it not politically correct to say that anymore?’

  ‘That’s right.’

  ‘Well, this is my house. I guess I can say what I like in it.’ He gave a little chuckle. ‘I haven’t offended you, have I, lass?’

  ‘No, no,’ Rowan said, but Rachel could see that her sister was feeling distinctly uncomfortable. Her face was still scarlet and she hadn’t touched any more of her pudding.

  ‘I – erm – I think I’ll go out for a walk,’ Rowan announced, suddenly standing up.

  ‘So I have offended you?’ Bryan said.

  ‘I just need some air now it’s stopped snowing,’ she explained with a tiny smile. ‘I won’t be long.’

  ‘Let me come too,’ Nick said, getting up. ‘Harley could do with a stretch, couldn’t you, boy?’

  Harley’s thick furry tail began to wag in agreement. A walk might just be worth leaving his bone for.

  CHAPTER 8

  Rowan walked out into the hallway, closely followed by Nick. The two of them put on their coats, hats and boots in silence before opening the door out into the white world.

  ‘Wow! This stuff’s quite deep,’ Nick said. ‘I’d better get the shovel out and clear the path when we get back.’

  Harley leaped ahead of them, his thick paws disappearing with each stride.

  Rowan and Nick didn’t speak for a while, but followed the path down the road, turning off onto a footpath which led into a field. Everything was absolutely pristine. Theirs were the first footprints – and pawprints – across the field and it was so much fun to stride and crunch, leaving three sets of perfect tracks in their wake as they climbed.

  A spectacular view of Blencathra, or Saddleback as it was also known because of its fabulous shape, greeted them, its great flanks a perfect white with pale blue pockets defining its shadows.

  ‘Isn’t it amazing how snow can change a landscape so quickly?’ Rowan said.

  Nick nodded. ‘Now it all looks like those wonderful Wainwright sketches – everything’s black and white.’

  Rowan smiled at his reference. It was rare to find a true Cumbrian – especially one who had a great love of the outdoors – who wasn’t familiar with Wainwright.

  ‘I – erm...’ Nick began, stopping and turning to face her. ‘I once again apologise on behalf of my father.’

  ‘You don’t need to.’

  ‘Oh yes I do. I’m sorry if he embarrassed you in there.’

  ‘It’s fine. He makes me laugh. Well, in a cringey sort of way.’

  ‘It used to be a nightmare taking girlfriends round to meet him. They’d run for the hills as soon as he opened his mouth.’

  ‘I can imagine.’

  ‘It takes someone special to put up with him.’ Nick cleared his throat and looked away and they continued walking up the field. Harley bounded ahead of them, barking with joy at the white world and looking particularly wolf-like in the landscape.

  ‘So, what happened?’ Nick asked after a moment.

  ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘With the guy you broke up with?’

  She looked at him with a frown.

  ‘Sorry. None of my business.’

  Rowan dug her hands deeper into her pockets. There was no point in hiding the truth. ‘He went back to an ex-girlfriend,’ she said.

  ‘What a jerk.’
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  ‘My thoughts entirely. So, hence me running away to the cottage for Christmas.’

  ‘I don’t blame you,’ Nick said. ‘The hills are the best place to go when you have things on your mind.’

  ‘And then Rachel and Paul turned up. And then you.’

  ‘Yeah, sorry about that.’

  ‘You seem to spend all your time apologising to me.’

  ‘Sorry.’ He smirked. ‘And again!’

  She laughed.

  They walked through a gate in an old stone wall which came out onto a road and it was as they were crossing it that Rowan slipped on the ice. She would have gone crashing to the ground if Nick hadn’t sprung forward and caught her.

  ‘Woah there!’ he said. ‘You okay?’

  ‘Yes, I think so.’

  Harley was also by her side, his long face anxious.

  ‘We’d best keep off the roads. The cars have compacted the ice and it’s really slippery. Shall we head back into the field?’

  ‘I think we’d better.’ They lingered a moment, their eyes meeting and then Rowan broke the spell by taking the dog lead and walking ahead. Harley seemed to be delighted to be back in the field and frolicked around in the snow, making huge circles.

  ‘I’ve really missed this place,’ Nick said, his gaze falling on the village which was far below them now. How pretty it looked with its roofs covered in snow and plumes of smoke coming from the chimneys.

  ‘You ever think about moving back?’ Rowan asked.

  ‘All the time,’ he said with a sigh. ‘Well, since Dad’s stroke. Don’t get me wrong. London’s great. The job’s great. But it’s a pain I’m so far away. This all feels like another country and I miss it as well as being close to Dad.’

  They walked some more, their breath puffing in the icy air.

  ‘Did you ever think about leaving Cumbria?’ Nick asked.

  Rowan shook her head. ‘No, never. This is home. I don’t think I could ever leave it. It’s the place my parents grew up and their parents before them. It’s where Rachel and I played as kids and we’ve got the cottage too. I wouldn’t ever want to be too far from that. It’s a wonderful sanctuary.’

  ‘You’re lucky.’

  ‘I am?’

  ‘You have no doubts about where you want to be.’