Page 51 of The Village Christmas Party

‘I’ll be in early Boxing Day morning, nabbing it as soon as the discount has been applied,’ she tells me and I think she deserves it, having coveted it for so long.

‘So what are you up to tonight then?’ I ask.

‘I’m going to get in a long hot bath, then flop in front of the TV. It was one long, busy day,’ she says, after I ask her if she feels like coming over.

‘Okay. Same here. Merry Christmas, Gemma. I hope you all have a wonderful day tomorrow.’

‘Thanks, you too. I actually envy your quiet one tomorrow,’ she says.

‘You’d be bored after an hour.’

‘That’s probably true.’ She giggles.

‘I’ll call you tomorrow when I have opened my present,’ I tell her.

‘Okay. Night then, sweet dreams. Give my love to your mum.’

It’s almost after nine thirty, and Mum has taken herself to bed with some painkillers, when there’s a knock at the front door. I wonder who it could be at this time on Christmas Eve, so glance through my Ring doorbell, glad that I have had it installed.

‘Dad, what on earth are you doing here?’ I ask open-mouthed as I see him standing on the doorstep and carrying a holdall.

‘Room for a small one?’ he asks.

TWENTY-EIGHT

‘Are you okay, Dad? What on earth has happened?’ I ask as he drops his bag down and takes a seat in the lounge. ‘Have you had an argument with Rose?’

‘You could say that.’ He exhales deeply. ‘Although maybe a bit more than an argument. We have decided to go our separate ways.’

‘On Christmas Eve?’ I say, shocked.

‘Let’s just say, it’s probably been a long time coming.’ He sighs.

I make tea and we sit together on the large sofa.

‘Sorry to pitch up like this, but I was wondering if I could stay for a few nights, until I sort myself out?’ he asks.

‘Dad, of course! This is your home too, there is no need to ask. And there’s plenty of room as you know.’

Four bedrooms in total, always ready made up should anyone decide to stay, usually my parents. It’s kind of an arrangement we came to when my inheritance was gifted to me early, as my parents went and pursued their own lives, Mum preferring to live in the centre of town now and Dad moving in with Rose. It’s lovely having them breeze in and out of my life though.

‘So, how’s your mother?’ Dad asks as he sips his tea.

I’d texted Dad and told him about Mum’s fall as I thought he might like to know.

‘She’s fine, no broken bones and sleeping soundly upstairs.’

‘What, she’s staying here?’ He sounds surprised. ‘Now I feel like a bit of a burden.’

‘Don’t be silly,’ I reassure him. ‘Anyway, Mum is fine, but I’m more interested in what has happened with you and Rose right now.’

‘Hard to pinpoint one thing.’ He shrugs. ‘We’ve been arguing a lot lately, she always seems to be having a go at me over something or other. She complains if I spend too long in the greenhouse when she’s home, other times I think she would like me to sleep in there.’ He rolls his eyes. ‘But I’m okay, love, don’t you worry. All I want is a bit of peace at my time of life.’

‘Did something happen for you to walk out though, especially it being Christmas Eve?’

‘She brought a fish supper home earlier, saying she wasn’t cooking on Christmas Eve,’ Dad tells me. ‘I told her that was a bit inconsiderate, given my heart condition and we had a huge row.’ Dad sighs. ‘She said it wasn’t her responsibility to police whatever I eat, and she wasn’t going to give up her treats for anyone, or words to that effect.’

‘She said what?’ I can feel the anger rise inside me. Not very supportive, I’m sure. Although maybe she wasn’t quite as harsh as that, taking into account Dad saying ‘words to that effect’.

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