Christmas at Lock Keeper's Cottage

by Lucy Coleman

  He places his hands on his padded belly, giving it a jiggle. The children are listening to every single word, enthralled, as Santa shakes his head in dismay.

  ‘And the clock was ticking. I looked up at the chimney pot and saw the stars twinkling in the darkness of the night sky. I thought of the huge pile of sacks in the sleigh, still waiting to be delivered. And then I saw something glinting, way above me.’

  Not one of his audience moved a muscle.

  ‘I caught the tiniest sparkle, as the moonlight bounced off something far in the distance. It came closer and closer, until I was able to reach up. It was a rope, and on the end…’ he pauses for maximum effect ‘… was a bottle of washing-up liquid.’

  The kids all start laughing.

  ‘I flipped open the top and squirted the liquid all around the edge of my big black belt. It was rather sticky, but it wasn’t long before I began to slide, very slowly, down towards the open fire grate. When my boots hit the ground, I shouted up, “Lower the sacks!” and my trusty elves got to work in double-quick time.’

  One little boy raises his hand impatiently and Santa bids him to stand up.

  ‘How did you get back up the chimney, Santa?’

  Tollie’s eyes sparkle. ‘Well, young man. It wasn’t easy. My number one elf, Immi here, found a big rope. I squirted lots and lots of washing-up liquid around my middle and when Immi told me they were ready, I grabbed the rope very tightly with both hands. She tied it to the sleigh and the reindeers began to pull. “Heave,” she called to them. “Heave.” And inch by inch I rose up, until I was safely at the top.’

  The little boy frowns, glancing in my direction and then back at Santa.

  ‘What about the milk and cookies. And the carrots for the reindeer?’

  Tollie’s eyebrows shoot up and he sits there for a few seconds considering the question.

  I walk over to stand next to Tollie, placing my hand on his shoulder and giving it a gentle pat.

  ‘Well, Santa asked me to pop back to collect them, of course. There was milk, a packet of star cookies and a bag full of carrots. And now, whenever Santa is about to climb down a chimney he always checks first to see if he will fit. But sometimes…’ my voice lowers, conspiratorially ‘… there isn’t even a chimney.’

  I gaze around at the eager little faces staring back at me. Some with mouths open still, at the thought of Santa getting stuck. I lean forward, continuing to talk in a whisper. ‘I’ll let you into a little secret. Santa has a big bunch of front-door keys, just in case he has a problem.’

  Today’s little group are mostly five and under, but two older children at the back simply sit and smile. The little ones look relieved and Santa gives me a beaming smile.

  ‘It’s all about teamwork,’ he booms out and the kids start giggling.

  I look across at Rona, Ethel and Valerie, standing in the gangway just beyond the dinette tables, where the parents look equally amused.

  It doesn’t matter how young or how old you are, the festive time is all about traditions. Christmas is a time when if we aren’t making our childhood memories, we’re remembering them. Tollie didn’t always look like Santa. For many years he only had a moustache and it was almost black in those days. Most Christmases, Dad and I came back to Aysbury, and Tollie has always been Santa to me, as even in the days when he needed a fake white beard, he represented that jolly spirit. A man who opened his house and his heart to many over the years, and made sure everyone was fed.

  We are about to wipe away the disappointments and doubts of last Christmas, as Gray and I make a commitment to each other. Looking forward now, it’s exciting to think that next year is going to be another amazing one, too. Nothing cements relationships like a party and we’re going to have two. One to celebrate our wedding and one to mark the ten-year anniversary of Santa Ahoy. Now all that needs to happen is for Rona to sort her dilemma out and then it’s full steam ahead.

  Simple. Ish.

  The Bullrush is packed with visitors. Children are milling around everywhere, still buzzing from the second Santa Ahoy cruise of the day. Parents are tucking into cake and drinking tea, while Jude and Jade – still, rather charmingly, dressed in their elf costumes – ferry plates to and from the kitchen. Maggie waves out, directing us upstairs. She calls one of the girls over and says something to her, as I wave back.

  ‘We’re upstairs, guys,’ I inform the happy little troop following me.

  Christmas carols are playing softly in the background, but with the level of chatter around the tables you have to strain your ears to hear them.

  After negotiating our way through the narrow walkways between the tables, avoiding the little ones running around and the servers carrying platters of cake, we climb the stairs. It’s packed up here, too, but against the back wall in the far corner, two of the small tables have been pulled together and a reserved sign graces the middle of it.

  ‘That must be ours.’ I point, heading towards it. Walking around to sit on the other side, I slide along the banquette seat, leaving a space either side of me. Indicating for Rona to sit opposite me, Valerie slips into the seat alongside her. Gray engineers it so that Ethel sits the other side of Rona, and then he takes a seat next to me.

  Bringing up the rear, Abe, being a tad portly, looks at the narrow space between the table and the window alongside and starts laughing. Gray immediately jumps up, grabbing hold of the edge of the table.

  ‘Hands in the air, everyone. We’ll all need a little extra space if we’re going to be tucking into a cream tea,’ he muses.

  Abe laughs. ‘I’ll make sure I don’t go overboard, or I’ll be giving Santa a run for his money.’

  I look around, but there’s still no sign of Tollie. He was popping home to change, then heading off to track down Fisher, so he could join the party.

  The twins arrive to take the orders and we put our hands in the air for teas and coffees.

  ‘There will be another two for tea, girls,’ I inform them.

  ‘Coming up,’ Jade replies, sounding every bit like a professional waitress. Jude hands out a pile of plates and napkins.

  ‘Mum said to say sorry, she was hoping to get everything laid up ready, but it’s been very busy again today.’

  ‘Tell her it’s fine, Jade. We’re not in a hurry and I bet she really missed having you two around to help. We’re lucky to be able to borrow you. It’s not easy finding elves, these days.’

  That makes her smile and a little ripple of laughter goes around the table. She gives us a cheeky little elfish grin, before heading back downstairs.

  ‘Lovely girls, aren’t they?’ Rona remarks. ‘And what a wonderful trip it is along the canal and around the marina. The children were enthralled. I bet the Little Stars Specials are quite something, too.’

  Valerie turns in her seat to look at Rona, whose face hasn’t been without a smile all afternoon. ‘It’s hard to read some of the emails we receive without feeling a little tearful, Rona. Of course, this was all Tollie’s idea in the first place.’

  ‘Did I hear my name mentioned?’ Tollie’s voice booms out above the general background noise. Striding up to the table, he’s now wearing his old brown corduroy trousers and his favourite bottle-green padded jacket. ‘I rounded up the missin’ party.’

  Fisher is close on Tollie’s heels, scooting around him as he stops for a second to glance around the table. Fisher manoeuvres himself into the seat next to me, while Tollie slips off his coat and sinks down into the carver chair at the head of the table.

  ‘Well, what a treat this is. Ho! Ho! Ho! I’ll be needin’ more than a few squirts of washin’-up liquid this Christmas Eve.’ Tollie’s booming Santa voice puts a grin on everyone’s face, including some people sitting at neighbouring tables.

  Maggie, Jude and Jade appear, each carrying a large tiered cake stand, and behind them Kurt and Sarah hold trays of hot drinks.

  ‘You’ve done us proud,’ Tollie says as we reposition ourselves around the table so ever
yone has a little elbow room. ‘Nothin’ beats a cream tea.’

  It’s a bit of a squeeze, but it’s good to see business booming and what’s good for the café is good for Aysbury. Maggie begins shifting things around on the table to accommodate our feast and my mouth begins to water.

  Valerie looks across at Fisher. ‘Jack, I don’t think you’ve met Rona, Gray’s mum. It’s her first visit to Aysbury.’

  Heads turn to stare in Fisher’s direction.

  Everyone is trying to disguise their surprise, but it’s plastered all over their faces. They’re all sitting there like startled rabbits, in total disbelief. I doubt whether anyone, aside from me and Tollie, even knew his name was Jack.

  ‘No, I haven’t, Valerie. It’s lovely to meet you, Rona. I also go by the name of Fisher; it’s a nickname that started when I came to work at the marina.’

  I feel the need to break the silence and what is now a whole bevy of awkward, questioning glances, as it’s obvious Fisher and Valerie have a new-found rapport.

  ‘He’s being modest, Rona. Not only is Fisher in charge of the marina, but he’s the owner of The Star Gazer,’ I inform her.

  Rona inclines her head as she smiles in Fisher’s direction.

  Valerie leans in towards her. ‘The Santa Ahoy Christmas charity cruise will be celebrating its tenth anniversary next year, Rona.’

  ‘Oh, that’s wonderful! What an achievement, everyone. I do so love the community spirit here. It reminds me of the old days, when I was a young girl. Nowadays people are always so busy. I rarely see my neighbours. They leave early and arrive home late,’ Rona replies, sounding more than a tad nostalgic.

  As everyone begins tucking in to tea, there’s a lot of general chatter about how things used to be and the consensus is that some things haven’t changed for the better.

  What is obvious from Gray’s demeanour is how delighted he is to see Rona feeling so relaxed and comfortable. She seems to have slotted into our little group so easily and everyone has taken to her. If we had any fears about selling the benefits of living in a small community, they’ve melted away. It’s ironic that now we are facing an entirely different sort of problem, except that Gray isn’t aware of that – yet. But given what we’ve all been through, each problem now seems a little less like the end of the world.

  With Christmas only ten days away I refuse to let anything take the shine off that thought. Good things happen to good people, and it’s our turn.

  13

  Is This the Calm Before the Storm?

  ‘Thank you for today, for making sure Mum felt at ease with everyone.’

  Lying in Gray’s arms in the darkness, I’m buzzing. Not from the two glasses of red wine we enjoyed with Sarah and Kurt after the restaurant closed, but from the warm glow of happiness that is rising up from the pit of my stomach. To end a wonderful day spent in the company of family and friends snuggled up with the man you love is a blessing.

  ‘I was a bit anxious, I will admit, as she must have felt a little daunted to begin with.’

  Then I remember the conversation I had with Rona earlier today. She can’t simply sell a house that she only partly owns, even if the thought of living in Aysbury is appealing. As the warmth of Gray’s body warms the chill of my own, I’m feeling torn. I made a promise to her, but Gray is so happy right now and I know it’s a topic that will bring him down.

  Oblivious to my train of thoughts, he begins talking about today’s cruise and how well it went, but my mind is in overdrive. Gray is so used to stepping up for those he cares about, whenever the occasion arises, and now I want to be here for him. Rona is the only one who can answer his questions, but she’s right. She can’t simply launch into it without some sort of warning that it’s coming. Rona feels I’m the one best placed to do that and I can’t let her down.

  ‘And as for Fisher and Valerie… you do know what everyone was thinking, don’t you?’ Gray sounds rather incredulous and it occurs to me that I was the only one privy to this week’s rather surprising turn of events.

  I try my best to switch off my swirling thoughts. Problems always seem bigger at night, as darkness closes around us.

  ‘Yes. There’s definitely some chemistry going on between them, isn’t there? And I think it’s wonderful. In fact, I wanted to ask your opinion, as I’m thinking of asking Fisher if he would like to offer Valerie my two days a week on a permanent basis. Martin is talking about employing an assistant manager, as he desperately needs some support. Especially if he’s going to be taking on more part-time staff, even just for the peak times. He can’t manage a rota and be out in the van at the same time. He’s a salesman and front-of-business kind of boss, rather than someone who pores over work schedules and ordering stock.’

  Gray inclines his head to rest up against my own.

  ‘I never thought I’d hear you talk about leaving your job at the marina. I mean, you and Fisher are so close.’

  ‘I know. Me neither. But nothing will change in terms of my relationship with Fisher. Mrs Price – I mean, Valerie – has simply blossomed this week and he’s like a different man when he’s around her. He smiles more, and they have this easy banter when they think no one can overhear them.

  ‘I’m not saying either one of them would jump into anything quickly, because neither of them are like that. But there’s no denying there is a mutual attraction. And one I don’t think anyone could have anticipated, so why not encourage it and see what happens, right?’

  Gray’s foot gently rubs up against my toes and a feeling of well-being washes over me.

  ‘When it’s real there’s no denying it, is there?’ I don’t need to see his face to know he’s smiling as he speaks. ‘Assistant manager, you say? Is that what you want?’

  ‘What I want is to support Martin. He took me on as a temp when no one else would. It gave me my first taste of independence, earning a few pounds stacking shelves and cleaning every Saturday. He did it as a favour to Tollie, of course, but it was good of him and he was patient with me. Martin took time out of his busy day to show me how to tend the plants and I’m grateful for that too. If Fisher’s happy to let me go, then I’ll tie it up with Martin and leave Fisher to approach Valerie.’

  ‘Okay, I’ll make sure I don’t let anything slip, then. What else is going around in that head of yours, Immi? Something tells me there’s more.’ Gray slides his arm around my waist, giving me a loving squeeze.

  Pausing for a moment in the silence of the inky blackness, I’m torn about what to do. This is my chance to broach the topic Rona asked me to raise. But it’s such a delicate subject that I need to think carefully about how to tackle it.

  ‘That’s an ominous silence, Immi.’

  I roll away from him a little, easing myself up onto my elbow. He rolls over onto his back, placing his hands behind his head as he stares up at the ceiling.

  ‘Hit me with whatever it is, Immi. If something is worrying you, then it’s also a concern to me.’

  Just tell him, the little voice in my head whispers to me.

  ‘This is awkward, but I made a promise.’

  Gray clears his throat anxiously.

  ‘Is this about Mum?’

  I place my free hand gently on his chest.

  ‘There’s nothing to worry about; she’s doing well. This is something different.’

  He lets out a long, slow sigh.

  ‘You’re sure?’

  I trace my fingers up over his T-shirt, letting them linger against his cheek.

  ‘A trouble shared is a trouble halved, Gray, and that’s what being together is all about. Rona reached out to me today, as if I were already her daughter-in-law, her confidante. This is about your father and there’s a message she needs to pass on to you, but she’s finding it difficult to raise the subject. Your mum asked me to forewarn you, as it’s important you understand that and are at least prepared to hear her out.’

  Gray immediately sits upright, scooting back a little to lean against the headboar
d. I shift position, sitting up to look at him. Half of his face is in darkness, only the left-hand side is visible, as the moonlight shines through a gap in the blinds. Gray’s expression is fixed, his jaw angular, and I watch him bristle at the mention of his father.

  ‘I knew something was going on. I didn’t think it would be about him, though.’

  His tone is dismissive, but I can’t back down now. I’m doing this for Rona, but I’m also doing this for Gray. I’d rather be the one on the receiving end of his initial, possibly angry, reaction and hopefully by the time he sits facing Rona he will at least be able to listen to her calmly.

  ‘It’s not about making amends. He’s written a letter to her, which Rona allowed me to read. But it’s about you, well, in a manner of speaking. I appreciate the reason why you refuse to have anything to do with your father, or his family, but life moves on, Gray. Your grandmother died recently, and although you never met her it has made him think about putting his own affairs in order. That’s what they say, isn’t it?’

  Gray’s eyes are closed, but he’s listening to every word I say, while showing absolutely no reaction whatsoever. I let it sink in, looking instead over his shoulder and out through a chink in the blinds, at a twinkling star.

  When I look back at him what I really want to say just seems to pop into my head, unbidden.

  ‘Do you ever feel that sometimes it’s too coincidental how events simply slot into place? As if there really is a master plan and we’re merely adhering to it, without even appreciating that’s what is happening.’

  Gray’s laugh is dismissive.

  ‘A man ditches his family and then has the right to be heard, just because he writes a letter. Sounds like a flawed plan to me.’

  At least he doesn’t sound angry – it’s more of a couldn’t-care-less attitude.

  ‘I understand that. Can I just ask that when Rona gets up the courage to talk to you, you let her say her piece, because she’s only the messenger? Like it or not, there is unfinished business – things that need to be resolved. Read the letter and know that whatever you decide I’ll support you one hundred per cent.’