Meet Me Under the Mistletoe

by Abby Clements

  ‘Well, I do,’ Laurie said, stopping at a jewellery stall by the side of the road. ‘And I’m going to need you more than ever, now that I’m going on a proper man fast,’ she said, picking up a necklace and holding it to her collarbone for Siobhan’s inspection. ‘What do you think of this?’ she asked, the silver that backed the amber pendant cold against her skin. ‘Just imagine me with darker, more olive-y skin.’ Then she pointed to her hair. ‘And a few more grey streaks.’

  Siobhan peered in closer. ‘I can already see some of those actually.’ She zeroed in on a grey strand and pulled it out, holding it up for Laurie’s inspection.

  ‘Aargh,’ Laurie said, wincing and swatting her friend away. ‘No decent hairdressers up north. So, go on, is it nice?’

  ‘The amber’s gorgeous,’ Siobhan said, ‘but the turquoise is beautiful too,’ as she lifted up a similar necklace with a smaller pendant.

  ‘Turquoise for Mum,’ Laurie said, smiling. ‘And the amber for you.’

  After they’d finished their Christmas shopping Siobhan and Laurie collapsed on Siobhan’s sofa, watching Serendipity for what must have been the hundredth time. Siobhan had reasoned bad John Cusack in Christmastime New York trumped John Cusack in a decent film, so they’d put aside Grosse Point Blank to watch afterwards, to put the theory to the test. A tin of Quality Street was open between them, and brightly coloured wrappers littered the sofa and floor – purples and yellows on Laurie’s side, gold and greens on Siobhan’s. They were both immersed in the film when Siobhan’s mobile rang.

  ‘Hi,’ Siobhan answered. It must be Ed, Laurie thought, noticing the flirty tone Siobhan’s voice had taken. And judging by the way she was swiftly sweeping the sofa clear of chocolate wrappers, he was probably coming by.

  ‘That was Ed,’ Siobhan said, as she lay her mobile down on the coffee table. ‘Holy crap, he’s coming around, and he’s only five minutes away.’

  Siobhan dashed to the bathroom. ‘Got to put some slap on,’ she said. ‘Stay and meet Ed,’ she called out, her voice echoing off the tiles. ‘You’ll like him,’ she said, poking her head out of the doorway. Laurie wasn’t sure – the men Siobhan had dated before were wafty, Tantric-sex enthusiasts who smelled of incense – in short, not Laurie’s idea of great company, and definitely not the kind of person she wanted to spend Christmas Eve with. But she owed it to Siobhan – and she’d said Ed was different.

  The intercom buzzed and Siobhan let loose a tirade of swear words. ‘Don’t worry, I’ll let him in,’ Laurie called back. She tried to buzz Ed in, but he didn’t seem to be getting the door-pushing timing quite right. After a minute or so, he was quietly swearing as much as Siobhan had just been, seemingly oblivious to the fact that Laurie could hear his every word through the speaker.

  ‘I’ll go down and get him,’ Laurie said. ‘And you,’ she took in Siobhan’s silky dressing gown, ‘get some clothes on in the meantime.’

  Downstairs, Laurie opened the front door to find Ed standing out in the cold, a black wool coat pulled tightly round him. He was hard to miss – over six foot, with broad shoulders and short dark hair, his cheeks wind-reddened. The feature you couldn’t miss, though, was a grin that seemed to stretch from one ear to the other.

  ‘Tough entry policy here,’ he joked, putting his hand out to greet Laurie. ‘I’m Ed. You must be Laurie. Nice to meet you.’ Laurie went to shake his hand, then kissed him on the cheek instead; it seemed more natural.

  ‘It’s good to meet you too. I’ve heard a lot about you.’ Laurie beckoned him in.

  As she turned around to walk back into the hallway, she saw that Jay was behind her, on his way out. He looked from Laurie to Ed. Was Laurie imagining it, or did his face fall a little?

  ‘Merry Christmas,’ he said, and with a nod to Laurie and then to Ed, he headed out of the front door.

  Siobhan passed Laurie a piping hot cup of mulled cider and she wrapped her mittened hands around it. The gospel choir had just started their carol service in the square by Brixton Town Hall and a big crowd had gathered. They broke into a searing rendition of ‘O Come All Ye Faithful’ that gave Laurie goosebumps. Lily was in the front row, singing her heart out. It was a crisp, clear evening – kids ran and danced in front of the choir, their parents tucked into mince pies, and the grannies and grandpas were out in force. Siobhan nudged her. ‘Worth getting off the sofa for, wasn’t it?’ Laurie nodded, and took a sip of warming cider. Ed put his arm around Siobhan and held her close.

  OK, Ed was lovely. Laurie had to admit it. He seemed totally into Siobhan, laughed at all her crap jokes, and had even made Laurie feel like she wasn’t a gooseberry. On the walk down he’d entertained them both with stories about the kids he taught, and bought them both sparklers from a guy in the square.

  Fireworks went off and the choir sang even louder. Laurie found herself joining in with the song – all this Christmas cheer was getting a bit contagious.

  CHAPTER 35

  Monday 25th December, Christmas Day

  ‘Look what I got,’ Zak said, emptying his stocking out on to his parents’ bed. It was 6.30 a.m. and Rachel groaned as she gradually woke up, then, seeing her son’s gleeful face, found a smile.

  Inside Zak’s stocking, among the other small gifts, was a beetle that rattled across the floor in an alarmingly realistic fashion.

  Later, over their breakfast of scrambled eggs and smoked salmon, he showed it to his grandma.

  ‘Why, that’s lovely, darling,’ Bea said, smiling and then looking at Rachel with a raised eyebrow.

  Aiden filled his mother’s plate high and passed it over to her. ‘Wow,’ she said. ‘That’s a sight for sore eyes after all the hospital food, I can tell you,’ she laughed. In a red cardigan with a holly leaf brooch on it, Bea was a picture of health. She had managed to sneak her presents in and under the tree without Zak or Milly seeing.

  They all took their cups of tea over to the sitting room area and cosied up under blankets. ‘Can I be postman?’ Zak said, standing tall in his blue pyjamas.

  ‘Yes,’ Aiden said, with a wink.

  Zak delivered presents to all of them to open. Rachel opened one from Milly – a delicate green scarf. ‘It’s gorgeous,’ she said, holding it up. ‘Did you make this, Mills?’

  ‘I found the pattern in one of Laurie’s books,’ Milly said, with a modest shrug. ‘So do you like it, Mum?’

  ‘I love it,’ Rachel said, giving her a hug.

  ‘Aha!’ Bea exclaimed, as the paper fell away from the gift she was opening. She held up a DVD of Out of Africa. Aiden had bought it for her, thinking of the African memoir they’d read to her while she was in hospital. ‘It’s a fascinating story, this one.’

  Bea looked as if she was about to say something, then paused. ‘It’s a funny thing, you giving me this, actually.’

  ‘Is it?’ Aiden said, puzzled.

  ‘Yes,’ Bea went on. ‘There’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you all.’

  The CD came to a stop. Everyone, even Zak, waited for Bea to continue.

  ‘When I was getting better in the hospital,’ Bea said, cradling her mug of tea – Rachel’s heart constricted as she recalled those dreadful moments when they’d been waiting for Bea to come out of her coma, wondering if she ever would – ‘I had some time to think. And seeing as I seem to be OK, I want to make the most of the time I have.’

  ‘The thing is,’ Bea continued, ‘while I’ve done a lot in my life that I’m proud of –’ one hand went, unconsciously, to touch the locket around her neck, which held a small photo of David, Aiden’s father, and looked over at her grandchildren, who were watching her with rapt attention – there are some things that David and I never got round to.’

  Rachel felt confused. Bea had always seemed so content, going about her day-to-day tasks and caring for her grandchildren. She had her friends, and her bridge evenings, her activities in the community. It had never crossed Rachel’s mind that Bea might want anything more.

  ‘I want t
o go to Africa,’ Bea announced.

  Aiden nearly spat out his mouthful of tea in shock. ‘You what, Mum?’ he said, sitting bolt upright.

  ‘I want to go on safari, with a tour group,’ she said, pulling a brochure out of her bag. Zak leapt up on to the sofa next to her and peered at the photos of lions and elephants. ‘Cool!’ he shouted out, looking up with a wide grin on his face.

  Bea’s smile grew as wide as his as she pointed to photos of the African sunset and hippos in watering holes.

  ‘But, Mum,’ Aiden said. ‘You’re only just out of hospital – and the doctors said—’

  ‘Don’t worry,’ Bea said, waving away her son’s concerns. ‘I’m not going to head off this minute. But I was looking through this brochure.’ Rachel saw it was a Trailfinders one that had come through the cottage door weeks back. ‘I remember Diana saying she wanted to go after her husband left, but with the business doing so well she decided to wait. Well, I’ve got no work to worry about these days, and I’ve got some savings still. David and I always talked about travelling together –’ her eyes glinted with tears, but her smile remained – ‘but we ran out of time.’

  ‘I think David would be very proud of you doing it on your own,’ Rachel said, her own eyes welling up.

  ‘Me too, Granny. I think it’s a great idea,’ Milly added.

  ‘Well, if you insist,’ Aiden said, reluctantly. ‘But make sure you give yourself plenty of time to get better first. And please promise to be careful?’

  ‘Of course I will be,’ Bea said.

  ‘OK,’ Aiden said, hesitantly. ‘Well in that case, with all this news, I think it’s about time we cracked open some champagne to celebrate.’

  He went over to the fridge and got out a bottle, letting the cork fly with a pop.

  ‘Four glasses this year, I think, don’t you?’ Rachel called out to Aiden, giving her daughter a wink. Milly smiled and gave her mum’s arm a squeeze.

  ‘Once a year, Mills,’ Aiden said, as he got the glasses out of the cupboard, ‘so don’t go getting any ideas.’

  After lunch – a plump turkey together with all the delicious treats Laurie had made for them, the Murrays were lying slouched across the couches in the living room. Zak was acting out a charade, and, shielding his mouth with his hands, unsubtly whispering the answer to his grandma.

  ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory!’ Bea called out. Milly groaned good-naturedly and shifted her position on the sofa so that her head was resting against her dad’s shoulder. ‘Every year, Zak. You can’t keep cheating like that, you know. It’s really obvious.’

  Rachel got to her feet and picked up a box of chocolates from the sideboard. ‘Chocs?’ she said, passing them around. Eager hands reached out, and she passed the picture list to Bea, the most discerning chocolate eater among them. ‘Shall we let Granny choose first? After all, she’s not going to be able to eat many chocolates when she’s on safari.’

  ‘You know what, Rach,’ Aiden said, with an expression of faux puzzlement. ‘I think we might’ve forgotten one present. What do you reckon?’

  ‘I think you’re right,’ Rachel said. ‘Maybe something fell out of Santa’s sack on the way to the tree?’

  Zak swung his head from left to right looking for a present that they might have missed.

  ‘There’s something in your stocking, Zak,’ Milly said, spotting a large red envelope poking out of the top of the emptied stocking which had been rehung on the mantelpiece.

  Zak dashed over to retrieve it and bounced on to the sofa next to his sister. ‘It’s got both our names on it,’ he said. ‘Can I open it?’ Milly nodded, and he ripped open the red paper with gleeful abandon. Inside was a cut-out card of a marmalade-coloured cat. ‘What does it say?’ Milly nudged him. Zak opened the card. ‘Vou-cher,’ he read slowly. Milly took over, reading over his shoulder, ‘“This voucher entitles the holders –” that’s us, Zak – “to a …”’ Milly’s eyes lit up and her hand went to her mouth. Aiden turned to Rachel and gave her a wink as Milly finished reading, ‘“… to a kitten of their choice.”’

  CHAPTER 36

  Monday 25th December, Christmas Day

  ‘Merry Murray Christmas!’ Laurie called down the phone.

  ‘And to you too,’ Rachel said back. Laurie could hear Milly and Zak shouting hello in the background. It was a crisp day, and Laurie felt the chill even in her centrally heated flat. There was frost on her bay window and, she noticed as she peeked out, a glistening white coating on all the cars in the street.

  ‘So, how’s your day going up there?’ Laurie asked.

  ‘Good, thanks. Thank you so much, Laurie, for everything you did – all the cooking. We’re absolutely bowled over.’

  ‘No trouble at all. Least I could do.’ Laurie felt a rush of warmth at the memory of cooking in Rachel’s kitchen in Skipley. ‘Just hope it doesn’t poison you.’

  ‘I think we’re safe – and given how good it tasted it wouldn’t be such a bad way to go.’

  ‘So any good presents over there?’ Laurie asked, imagining a room full of shiny, ripped wrapping paper.

  ‘Well yes, actually. Milly and Zak have got a cat – or the promise of one, I mean. Mr Ripley was a bit of a hit when we were staying at your place. Oh – and Aiden’s surprised me with a trip to Venice.’

  ‘How exciting,’ Laurie said, ‘and after the last month you guys really deserve a break.’

  ‘I can’t wait. And get this – Bea’s just announced she’s off to Africa.’

  ‘Are you serious?’ Laurie said, walking over to the kitchen.

  ‘Yes. It’s been non-stop this morning. Anyway, how are you? I thought you’d be down at Lily’s by now. Are you going over there later?’

  Laurie flicked on the kettle and got out a mug to make herself coffee. ‘I don’t know …’ she said. ‘Maybe.’

  ‘Maybe?’ Rachel said. ‘I thought it was the event of the year?’

  ‘It is …’ Laurie bit her lip. She could hear music coming up through Jay’s living room floor. She pictured him and his girlfriend exchanging gifts and having a festive love-in before going down together to Lily’s flat. It’s just …’

  ‘You should go,’ Rachel said. ‘Lily will want you to be there. You’ll enjoy it.’

  ‘Oh, I don’t know. Perhaps.’ She quickly changed the subject. ‘Oh, I got your email by the way, of course that’s fine about Milly coming to stay. I’d love to have her here. And at Seamless, once I’m back at work.’

  ‘You are going back then?’ Rachel said. ‘For sure?’

  ‘Yes. But – don’t ask me how – Skipley seems to have knocked the workaholic out of me, Rachel. I’m going back, but it’s going to be different this time.’

  Laurie got out her suitcase and put it on the bed. Spain. She’d help her mum get over her broken heart – and maybe, somewhere along the line, she thought, she’d forget about her own.

  She held up her strapless platinum bikini – checking the material hadn’t gone saggy. Nope – not really surprising, she hadn’t had much of a chance to wear it over the last couple of years. She slung it in the suitcase, idly dreaming about sangria and swimming pools. She tried to choose between two pairs of strappy heels, then opted to pack them both. She placed a white cotton dress on top of her other clothes. She’d pack the rest later.

  She thought about what Rachel had said, about going to Lily’s, and checked her watch. It was only 3.30 p.m. – her flight wasn’t until ten. She still had plenty of time. Going to her wardrobe, she pulled out a red dress, then put the shower on full blast, peeled off her clothes and stepped into the steam.

  Laurie arrived at Lily’s door holding a bottle of champagne and trying with all her might to keep her smile fixed in place. When Lily opened the door to her flat, reggae music drifted out. Lily took one look at her outfit and hooted with laughter.

  ‘Well,’ she said, ‘it’s certainly different.’

  Laurie was wearing her V-neck red dress, but with a cardigan over
the top, a brown and black one with a huge, three-dimensional knitted robin on the righthand side. It was one she’d picked out of the rag bag in Skipley and brought back on a whim. There were rows of gold sequins down each arm.

  ‘I know, it’s dreadful, isn’t it?’ Laurie said, pulling the sleeves of her cardigan down. ‘But Christmas comes but once a year, eh?’

  Lily smiled, then took her by the hand and led her into the flat. ‘It’s good to see you, gal,’ she said. ‘We’ve missed you around here. Now, let me show you what they did for me,’ Lily said.

  Laurie walked past some guests chatting by the doorway as Lily led her to the kitchen. Laurie gasped as she saw the difference. The kitchen walls and some of the living-room ones had been repapered with a gorgeous print, and there was a stylish, homey set of shelves holding her cookbooks. The torn lino had been replaced, and the whole flat looked even better than new. ‘Nice, isn’t it?’ Lily said, smiling. ‘Jay made the shelves,’ she said, running her hands over the wood. ‘Talented man, that one,’ she said, giving Laurie a wink. ‘And your friend Rachel and her children, they helped out too. Bless them all,’ Lily said, her eyes shiny with unshed tears.

  All around her people were eating and drinking, laughing together. On the kitchen tiles, there was a middle-aged couple swaying to the music. Lily raised her eyebrows at Laurie in approval as she saw them grinding closer. ‘Now there’s the Christmas spirit in action,’ she said, with a chuckle. Friends of Lily’s from the neighbouring blocks were scattered around the table, along with their teenage children. Laughter filled the room.

  As Laurie put some jerk chicken out on her plate, she caught sight of Jay. Or the back of his head, at least. He was outside in the back yard, just visible through the window, laughing and talking to someone just out of view.

  Laurie had tried to mentally prepare herself for this moment, but still, her first instinct was to hide. She looked around – the sofa tucked away in an alcove was pretty much invisible from where Jay was. There was a guy sitting on it whom she recognised, but couldn’t place. He was wearing a sharp blue suit and had long, greying dreadlocks. She went to sit next to him. He’d lifted a framed photo off the side table and was looking at it. ‘Fine-looking woman,’ he said, appreciatively. Laurie looked up in surprise, then saw he was pointing at a photo of Lily at a party. Laurie moved in closer to look at the photo. Lily must have been in her thirties, about Laurie’s age now, dancing with a little boy on a crowded dance floor. Her face was turned to the camera with a wide smile.