Page 54 of The Village Christmas Party

‘So how is your mum doing?’

‘Not too bad, thanks. A huge bruise on her side but I’m just so thankful that she has no broken bones. I don’t think she would be able to cope with being laid up for long.’

I quickly tell her about Dad being here too and that I will fill her in more when I see her.

We say our goodbyes, Gemma off to spend the day with her large family, me here with Mum and Dad and I couldn’t be happier to be with them both. And to look forward to my date with the delectable Kian.

‘You’ve done us proud, love,’ says Dad, pushing his plate away after Christmas lunch.

Mum said it still feels very strange having King Charles deliver the Christmas Day speech, rather than the queen but that she thought he did a good job all the same.

‘Those parsnips from the allotment tasted good, didn’t they? And the carrots. Was there something sweet in them?’ asks Dad.

‘I roasted them with thyme and honey,’ I tell him.

‘Really? Well, they were delicious.’

I roasted some potatoes in olive oil along with the veg, so Christmas lunch for Dad was quite healthy.

‘I don’t suppose you have any of that red velvet cake left, do you?’ asks Mum, having declined some Christmas pudding.

‘I do actually.’ I head to the fridge.

‘Maybe I could have a small slice.’ Dad joins his hands together in prayer pleadingly.

‘Well, alright, just a small slice as your lunch was pretty healthy.’ I smile. ‘I even have some vegan cream substitute to pour over it that tastes exactly like cream, but healthier,’ I say, except when I open the fridge I realise I forgot to buy some.

‘Right, I’m just nipping to Open All Hours for that cream. And don’t worry, Dad, it tastes really good,’ I say, before he can complain. ‘Back in two ticks. Keep your hands out of the Quality Street tin.’ I wink.

‘I hope you’re going to enjoy a Christmas dinner later,’ I say to Alf at the shop, placing my cream and a packet of playing cards down onto the counter. I remember how we all used to play a game of cards and thought it might be something we could enjoy later.

‘Very soon actually.’ He glances at his watch. ‘I am closing up in five minutes, so you have made it here in the nick of time.’

‘Thanks, Alf,’ I say, lifting my things from the counter. ‘And merry Christmas.’

‘And to you too.’

I’m about to get into my car, when I notice Kian at a zebra crossing further up the road, and I freeze. Because this time he isn’t holding Bella’s hand alone. A willowy blonde is holding her other hand and chatting to her. I watch the cars slow down at the zebra crossing as they make their way across the busy road, all three of them with a smile on their face.

THIRTY

‘Are you alright, love?’ asks Mum as she watches a Christmas movie with Dad. Her leg is propped up on a footstool as she told me that her leg had been hurting her.

‘That’s because you keep getting up and doing things,’ I’d told her firmly. ‘You are supposed to be resting completely. Doctor’s orders, remember?’

Dad and I had done the washing-up and put all the dishes away, telling Mum firmly to sit down.

‘So, are you alright?’ asks Mum again. ‘You look as though you have seen a ghost.’

‘What? Yes, I’m fine.’ I force a smile. I don’t want to ruin Christmas Day, but I can’t get the image of Kian with another woman holding Bella’s hand out of my head.

‘You’re sure?’ Dad presses.

‘I’m sure, really. I think I’m just a little tired, that’s all.’ I muster up my best smile.

‘Well, that’s hardly surprising, you do so much. Sit down and watch the film with us,’ Mum insists. ‘You used to love watching films with us when you were little.’

‘I will, Mum. I just want to knock and make sure Eileen’s okay. I was going to invite her in for a drink later, if you don’t mind.’

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