Page 41 of Christmas at the Little Bookshop by the Sea

The offer was undeniably appealing, as long as it wasn’t putting Bear out. ‘Maggie says Bear’s heading into town and has offered to give us a lift home. What do you think?’ she asked the others,hoping they’d like the sound of it, too.

Much to her relief, the reply was a resounding yes! The cold really was biting now and on top of that, the children looked shattered. Florrie tapped out a reply to which Maggie responded straight away, saying Bear would be parked in his Land Rover at the end of the path that led to Woodcutter’s Cottage within the next ten minutes.

As they trudged their way up the path – the snow now worn smooth by the many feet that had trampled across it that day –Florrie gradually became aware of the low rumble of the Land Rover as it approached. It was a more than welcome sound.

‘Thanks for this, Bear, I hope we aren’t putting you out,’ Florrie said, climbing into the back, followed by Gerty and Ed. Zak and Chloe sat in the front beside Bear. The warmth inside, as it wrapped around her, was bliss, especially now the breeze had picked up and had taken on a spiteful edge as it nipped at their faces.

‘Cor! This isso cool! We’re dead high up,’ said Zak, looking around him. ‘I’m gonna have a Landie like this when I grow up, Bear.’

Bear gave a deep chuckle. ‘I’ll let you have a drive of this when you’re old enough, Zaky. How d’you fancy that?’

‘Oh, man, that’d be mint!’

‘Can I have a go, too, Bear?’ asked Chloe.

‘’Course you can, sweetheart.’ Bear beamed down at her indulgently.

Before long, they were pulling up in the snowy street that was home to Samphire Cottage.

‘Thanks, Bear, I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this. We were getting that cold, I think we’d have been in danger of becoming snowmen ourselves,’ Florrie said, as he yanked the hand brake on. ‘You’re welcome to come in for a cuppa, if you’ve got time?’

‘Thanks very much for the offer, but I’d best get back. I promised my dad I’d help him with some jobs on the farm this afternoon. The sooner I get there, the sooner they get done.’

‘Fair enough.’ She smiled at him. ‘Well, thanks again.’

‘Yeah, thanks, mate, much appreciated. I think I’d have totally lost the feeling in my toes if we’d had to walk back. I owe you a pint of Old Micklewick Magic.’ Ed reached forward and clapped Bear on the shoulder.

‘I’ll hold you to that.’ Bear laughed as they all piled out.

TWENTY-TWO

After taking it in turns to have a quick, warming shower, the four of them had gathered in the kitchen where Ed was heating a pan of hearty vegetable soup. It filled the cottage with its delicious aroma. Florrie was busy buttering chunky slices of bread, while the children sat at the small table, chatting away nineteen to the dozen, recounting their sledging antics with great hilarity. Gerty was watching from her bed, hopeful for any stray crumbs, drool beginning to form at the corners of her mouth. Their saturated sledging clothes were hung on a clothes airer next to the radiator; Florrie expected they’d take a while to dry out.

Once lunch was devoured, the table was cleared and she brought out a selection of board games – some she’d had since childhood – which was met with Zak and Chloe’s usual burst of enthusiasm. After a quick deliberation, they all agreed to start with a game of Snakes and Ladders, with Zak putting in a request for Operation afterwards, declaring it looked “mint”.

By the time Jasmine arrived, the four of them were cosied up in the living room watching a festive film, Chloe sucking her thumb as she cuddled into Florrie, Zak stretched out on the rug in front of the fire, stroking Gerty.

‘Ooh, fabulous work, looks like you’ve worn the little monsters out. Shouldn’t be any problems getting the pair of them to bed tonight.’ Jasmine giggled.

‘Honestly, Jazz, they’re not the only ones who’re worn out. I’ve felt my eyes growing heavy several times while we’ve been comfy on the sofa. The heat of the fire hasn’t helped, mind.’ Florrie stifled a yawn. ‘See what I mean!’

It was when they were all tucking into pizza back in the kitchen that Chloe told Florrie and Ed about her Christmas nativity play. ‘I’m an angel,’ she said earnestly, brushing her hair off her face. ‘And I’m singing a solo. I’m a bit scared but Mummy said it’ll be fine, didn’t you, Mummy?’ She took a bite out of her pizza and chewed vigorously.

‘I did, Chlo, and you’ll be amazing.’ Jasmine smiled gently at her daughter.

Florrie’s heart melted into a puddle at the little girl’s expression. ‘I agree with your mummy – you’ll be brilliant.’

‘You so will, Chlo,’ said Ed.

‘I’m the donkey with Joshua Walton,’ Zak said, matter-of-factly, pulling a long string of mozzarella from his pizza and stretching it out as far as it would go.

‘Zak’s the donkey’s bottom!’ Chloe covered her mouth as she burst into a fit of the giggles.

Florrie tried her hardest not to smile at her reaction.

‘You’ll be a brilliant bum, won’t you, son?’ Jasmine gave Zak an affectionate smile, ruffling his hair. ‘I keep telling him he was made for the role.’ Jasmine chuckled.

‘I’m gonna be the best donkey’s butt they’ve ever had. I’m gonna take my fart machine and make farting sounds the whole time, except for when Chlo’s singing. It’s gonna besocool.’ He cackled with laughter, mischief dancing in his eyes.

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