by Lucy Coleman
‘Me, too.’ I laugh. ‘Happy Christmas, everyone!’ I yell out and heads turn, giving me a chorus of varying responses in return.
The atmosphere is jolly and as I walk into the sitting room to find Gray, it looks as if a coachload of people have just arrived. There is a pile of various bags stacked up in the hallway and one sofa is covered in pillows and duvets.
Sarah immediately jumps up out of Tollie’s chair and hurries over to me.
‘Oh, Immi. We can’t thank you enough for accommodating us.’ She scans around, taking in the huge smiles on her daughters’ faces as they fiddle with their new tablets. ‘You’ve saved our Christmas. Gray wouldn’t let me come over to help. Is Kurt still asleep? He must be shattered, but, thanks to him and Abe, at least The Bullrush will begin to dry out and then we can assess the damage. We’re gutted, if I’m honest. Kurt feels it’s all his fault, but it’s just one of those things.’
She looks pale and drawn, but she’s trying her best to put a brave face on it. As she throws her arms around me, the tenseness in her body saddens me. What sort of a Christmas is this going to be for this wonderful, hard-working family?
‘Don’t worry, lovely friend. We’re all here to help. As soon as Kurt is awake everyone can come over to The Retreat. Thankfully there is plenty of room downstairs. The four of you can use the two sofa beds tonight, so you will be warm and comfortable. I just have one problem I need Gray to sort out for me.’
‘Did I hear my name?’
As if by magic he appears and as Sarah releases me, I step into his arms.
‘I knew you’d be missing me. What do you need? Because I’m your man; literally.’
Even in the midst of utter chaos, he manages to make me chuckle and I realise that no problem is insurmountable.
‘A table to seat fifteen. That’s doable, isn’t it?’
As he presses his lips to mine his eyes are sparkling and he pulls away, looking in Tollie’s direction.
‘We can fix that, can’t we, Tollie?’ he asks.
Tollie nods. ‘Only if you let go of my granddaughter and let me give her a Christmas hug, first.’
Tollie throws me a wink. He looks happy, overjoyed even, and it occurs to me that it’s been a few years since the cottage was filled with so many people. Years ago, Grandma always invited everyone she bumped into and whenever Dad and I arrived we never knew who would be here. She was a natural gatherer of people and there were many years when people would end up staying over after an evening of partying. As long as there was enough floor space for the sleeping bags, no one ever complained.
‘Immi, come and meet my Yvonne.’
Bernie steps forward, leading her by the hand. Yvonne is a rather shy-looking lady, but as she uncouples her hand and offers it to me her face breaks out into a wonderfully warm smile.
‘Goodness, Yvonne, Immi is a hugger and you’ll have to get used to that, my love,’ he says as I bypass her hand and enclose her in a hug.
‘It’s wonderful to have you both here today, Yvonne. That’s the biggest smile I’ve seen on Bernie’s face in a long time. We’ve all missed having him around and you’ll soon get to know us all. We’re a friendly bunch and when we pull together even a snowstorm can’t stop us having fun.’
‘For a while there we thought we might have to turn back. You can’t imagine how disappointed we would have been, but now we’re here I do hope it eases up before we trudge back.’
Her eyes sparkle as she turns her gaze from me, back to Bernie.
‘Bernie kept me going every step of the way. I’m so grateful to you all. I was nervous about meeting everyone, I will admit, but I’ve only been here for half an hour and I already feel at home. My house is so quiet, and I’d forgotten what it’s like to… join in.’
‘Well, it’s going to be crazy and maybe a little disorganised today, but fun – I hope – and the more, the merrier. Aysbury welcomed me with open arms when I came to live with Tollie in 2006. And now there’s nowhere else I’d rather be. So, I hope you get to feel the same way very quickly.’
As Gray seeks me out, Bernie turns to mouth ‘Thank you, Immi,’ before catching Yvonne’s hand back up in his own and squeezing it.
‘You haven’t met Valerie yet, Yvonne. Let’s head out to the kitchen.’
As I turn around, Tollie walks over to join Gray. They both insist I stay here as they head over to The Retreat to look at the issue of the table.
‘I’m pretty sure I have a big piece of marine ply in the garage,’ Tollie informs Gray. ‘With a bit of luck, we can stabilise it on top of the table by fastening it underneath with a few blocks. That should add a couple of feet all round.’
‘Hey, Immi. Merry Christmas.’ Fisher appears, giving me a quick kiss on the cheek. ‘That was a marathon trek, this morning. My legs were telling me I’m not quite as fit as I thought. I’ll give a hand, guys.’
They promise they’ll creep around to ensure they don’t disturb Kurt and will tell Liam that the best sausage sandwich he’s ever likely to eat is ready and waiting for him.
Liam returns a few minutes later and as Valerie hands him a good, old-fashioned doorstop sandwich the look that passes between them warms my heart. Whatever has divided them in the past, it’s obvious they want to reconcile and that’s the first step towards changing their relationship for the better.
It doesn’t take long to devour my breakfast sandwich and I laze back in Tollie’s chair with my hands cupped around a mug of steaming hot chocolate. It’s fun watching Jude and Jade, sitting on the rug in the centre of the small sitting room, oblivious to what’s going on around them. The debris from the presents they’ve unwrapped is strewn around the floor, but no one cares. Everyone else is too busy chatting or eating.
The girls are playing an interactive game on their tablets and shrieking every time one of them goes up a place on the leader board.
‘No-o-o-o!’ Jude suddenly squeals. ‘I fell off and that was my last life!’
It makes me giggle as I watch them, so engrossed they really aren’t at all put out by the unexpected turn of events. Children are so adaptable, and, I reflect as I scan around, adults can be, too.
Sauntering back out to the kitchen with an empty plate and mug in hand, I walk up to Valerie, who is now washing up, aided by Ethel and Rona wielding tea towels. They’ll soon have everything clean and tidy. It’s lovely to hear them bantering between themselves as they work like a well-practised team.
‘You and Gray will have to extend this kitchen when the renovation work starts,’ Abe’s voice looms up from behind me. ‘What do you think, ladies?’
They all nod in agreement. ‘What it needs it a family-sized kitchen,’ Valerie chimes in.
‘I’ll bear that in mind,’ I reply as I pop my mug down on the side and make my excuses. ‘Thanks, Valerie, that was amazing, and it hit the spot. But it’s time to baste that turkey again, sorry, guys. When Kurt wakes up, I’ll send him over and we’ll move everyone across.’
Leaving them to it, I slip on my jacket, but, instead of heading straight for The Retreat, I take a little detour to gaze out over the fields, filling my lungs with the fresh, bracing air. It feels good to be outside. It isn’t easy walking in what must now be more than a foot of snow, but it reminds me of a time when I was a small kid.
A crunching sound behind me makes me glance over my shoulder.
‘I wanted to catch you to have a quick word. I’m not disturbing you, am I?’
Rona is all bundled up, as if she’s going for a long walk.
‘Not at all. I’m thinking about the Christmas Dad and I were here, when we had serious snow like this. I was probably about five years old at the time. Grandma and Tollie had Bessie, then, their Labrador. She had such a sweet nature. Dad and I took her out for a walk, and we had great fun. Bessie kept burrowing into the snow and didn’t like how cold it made her, so she’d spring up in the air in a cloud of powdery white. Then she’d do it all over again. Daft dog.’
We co
ntinue on quite slowly, coming to a halt on the far side of the garden where it’s bordered by low, ranch fencing. The fields beyond don’t belong to the property, but when I’m standing here the openness is a reminder that nature belongs to everyone.
‘I wanted to give you this. It’s an engagement present.’
Rona thrusts a card into my hands.
‘There’s a cheque inside for five thousand pounds to help towards doing up the cottage. Gray will make a fuss, but it’s money I’ve saved over the years in the hope that I’d live to see this day. And now it’s here I’m just so happy, although I wish the focus was a little more on the two of you. But, hazardous snowfalls aside, that doesn’t make it any the less special and it makes me happy to be able to give this to you both.’
I’m speechless for a few moments and I lean in to kiss her cheek. It’s too much, but how can I refuse her?
‘Oh, Rona, that’s so very generous and kind of you but it really isn’t necessary.’
She puts up a gloved hand to stop me.
‘Maybe not, but it’s what I want to do.’
I swallow hard. This is a lot of money in anyone’s book and even more to someone in Rona’s position.
‘It’s very kind of you, Rona. We’ll both be working hard to make this our forever home on a tight budget, so it will make a huge difference. Every penny of it will be most appreciated, you can be assured of that.’
‘The two of you will make a great team and a mother couldn’t ask for any more than that.’ She looks, and sounds, a little choked-up. ‘But it’s time I thought about my own future and stopped relying on my boy so much. I, well, maybe I shouldn’t say this and please don’t repeat it to Gray, but I haven’t stopped loving his father. We’re both older and wiser. I fear my son won’t understand and maybe when I meet Grayson face to face again, I’ll feel differently. But there’s a chance that I won’t.’
Is Rona trying to tell me that she’d stay, if Gray’s father asked her to?
‘I love Gray with my heart and soul, you know that, Rona. I’ll be by his side no matter what happens in the future. But you are right, and for your own peace of mind it is time to think about what’s best for you.’
The look we exchange is one of total understanding. Life isn’t easy, and difficult decisions can’t be avoided. I shiver slightly as Rona heads back to the cottage and I make my way to The Retreat. I know that, in his heart, Gray will simply want his mother to be happy, but how accepting he will be if it involves his errant father, I have no idea. And what if she wants to move to the States?
Before I step back inside, I glance up at the sky. The sun’s appearance was brief this morning and now I have to squint a little at the bright, light grey cloud that extends as far as the eye can see in all directions.
‘That doesn’t look good,’ I mutter to myself. All around there is an eerie blanket of silence and then the snow starts to fall, once more.
23
The Fun Begins
You know that feeling when everything suddenly comes together, and you can stand back and let out a huge sigh of relief? Well, this is it.
‘Mum, how many sprouts do I have to eat?’ Jude stabs her fork into the tiniest one on her plate, turning up her nose in disgust.
‘At least one,’ Kurt confirms, as Sarah is still helping to dish up. ‘They’re good for you.’
As I carry two more plates across to the table, I notice that Tollie is sitting next to Liam and asking him about his travels.
‘I guess my favourite place, because I keep going back whenever I can afford it, is the Seychelles. I did my PADI Open Water Diver course there earlier this year and I hope to go back again next year to do a Wreck Diver Speciality course.’
They stop talking for a moment to grab their plates.
Tollie gives me a wink. ‘Thanks, m’dear. I’ve been looking forward to this all year.’
‘This looks amazing, Immi.’ Liam eyes the plate with delight.
‘So, Liam,’ Tollie continues, ‘is there a bit of a treasure hunter in you, or is the diving itself the main attraction?’
I walk away to whisk a couple more plates off the side, delighted at how we’ve managed to seat fifteen people reasonably comfortably around the makeshift extended table. Albeit the assortment of chairs includes three stools and six plastic ones from the garden.
Fisher, I notice, is three seats away from Valerie and, while he looks happy enough, he keeps glancing her way surreptitiously. I so want those two to grow even closer, because they just seem to be a perfect fit.
‘That’s the lot,’ Sarah informs me. ‘I’ll turn the oven down low and pop these back in covered in foil, as I’m sure a few will want seconds.’
‘We did go a bit overboard on the roast potatoes,’ I reply.
Sarah leans in, lowering her voice.
‘What happened to the turkey? Did you have an accident?’
My lips twitch as I explain. ‘It was huge. It wouldn’t fit into the tray.’
She’s trying very hard to keep a straight face.
‘Well, you did a good job, all things considered, and I’m assuming you don’t have a good set of knives. Which is just as well, as that’s what we’ve bought you as a thank-you gift for helping out with the Christmas dinners.’
‘Ah, that wasn’t necessary. It did look a bit hacked about, didn’t it? Was it hard to carve?’
Sarah gives me an encouraging smile. ‘Tollie did a good job and I managed to make the slices look tidy on the plates. Anyway, you’re a star to do that with the only sharp knife you seem to have.’ She holds it up. ‘You performed a miracle, Immi. This is a utility knife, mainly used for vegetables. The plan was to pop in with your present yesterday, before we left, as we thought you’d appreciate it. Anyway, it will make it much easier next year and they won’t hack the flesh about quite so much.’
We both start laughing.
‘What’s funny?’ Gray sidles up to me, on the hunt for some more paper napkins.
‘We’re talking turkey tales,’ I answer. ‘I think I’m going to get a few lessons from Sarah before I tackle my next one.’
‘Turkey tails? Hmm, that sounds a little bizarre, but each to their own. Come on, don’t let your dinners get cold.’
I pour on a little gravy and we’re set to go.
‘You rescued everyone’s Christmas, Immi,’ Abe says, clearing his throat as we join them. ‘We’re all very grateful to you, Tollie and Gray, for your hospitality. We’ve ended up descending on you en masse and now look at that, out there.’
As we all turn towards the patio doors, the view outside is totally obscured by a constant barrage of thick white flakes. I squint a little, dismayed at the lack of visibility beyond the immediate patio area.
‘Gray, what’s that big lump by the wall outside?’
Everyone stops talking.
‘All will be revealed in a bit, Immi. Party hats on, everyone, and anyone else for more roasters?’
Hands go up and Gray strides across to the oven, as Sarah and I begin eating.
Both Gray and Tollie have been going on about buying a barbecue so I have my suspicions that I might know what my gift is. It’s hardly a festive present, but they do say people buy the gifts they’d like to receive themselves. But that’s certainly not the case with my Christmas present to Gray. He wanted an upgraded interface to extend his digital audio workstation. Well, at least that’s what I hope is wrapped and waiting for him under the tree, but if the wrong thing was delivered in error, I wouldn’t have had a clue. Tollie at least, was easier as I bought him a bigger tablet so he could keep up with his reading even as his eyes get weaker.
There’s a cacophony of banter and laughter and reading of silly cracker jokes by Fisher, who has everyone groaning. Liam, I notice, has seconds and thirds of almost everything. Jude doesn’t touch any of her sprouts, while Jade happily devours everything on her plate. With Gray’s favourite CD of Christmas carols playing softly in the background on a loop, the ligh
ts on the tree twinkling away and the greenery overhead emitting a wonderfully evocative smell of pines and earthiness, I’m content. More than content. Valerie was right when I opened up to her. She had confidence in my ability to cope with whatever life was going to throw my way. It doesn’t pay to get too far ahead of yourself and worry about things that might never happen.
Gray eventually taps his wine glass. ‘I think it’s time for the Christmas toast, so it’s over to Tollie.’
As all eyes turn in Tollie’s direction, he sits there twiddling the stem of his glass in his hands for a few moments before speaking. His head is bowed and he’s deep in thought. When he looks up, he scans the faces around the table.
‘Well, we have quite a gathering around the table and the first thing I want to say, on behalf of Immi, Gray, and myself, is how wonderful it is to have you all here with us today. It wouldn’t have been as enjoyable without your company. Everyone is safe, we’re all warm and my darling Immi, together with Valerie, Ethel, Rona and Sarah, have made this wonderful Christmas dinner happen, despite the drama going on outside.
‘Immi, it has to be said, valiantly saved the day single-handedly, when the turkey turned out to be too big for the oven. Did that faze my granddaughter? No. As with everything in life, she rose to the challenge. And the next challenge will be bringing Lock Keeper’s Cottage back to life. To do that she’ll be calling upon her trusty partner, Gray, who, I believe, has a little speech of his own to make.’
There’s an outpouring of laughter and handclapping, as I realise the ‘turkey malarkey’, as Gray is now referring to it, didn’t go unnoticed. But sprouts aside, the plates were cleared and what it lacked in presentation didn’t affect the overall enjoyment.
Gray stands and walks around to kneel down next to my chair. The hush in the room is filled with expectancy as he grasps my left hand and gazes into my eyes, somewhat nervously. I thought he was simply going to slip the ring on my finger to formalise his proposal the other day.