Page 42 of A Not So Quiet Christmas
“What about music?” Seb said, stopping me in my tracks. “Me and Mummy always play Christmas songs when we decorate our tree.”
“How could I forget?” I said, feigning horror. I pulled my mobile out of my pocket and searched YouTube for a Christmas playlist. Opting for the first one that appeared on the screen, I hit the play button and turned up the volume. As “Jingle Bells” began to ring out, Jason and Seb sang along as we unpacked the box, their eyes widening at the delights before them.
We found a travelling Father Christmas who, instead of wearing red, wore grey and carried a golden lantern to light his way. There was a set of silver bell baubles, each unique in pattern and sound and of course, Seb insisted on ringing each and every one before finding them a place on the tree. Making sure to handle them with care, Jason hung a selection of coloured glass baubles. Some had reflectors, while others were patterned in glitter. There were little doe-eyed papier mâchéreindeer, and red and white porcelain candy canes. Ribboned hearts were hand-painted with snowy village scenes, and there was no tinsel, but long strings of wooden beads in red and yellow were the perfect replacement. Finally, Seb and Jason wound fairy lights all around the tree’s branches.
“Who’s doing the honours?” I asked, indicating the adaptor switch.
Jason nodded that Seb should go ahead.
“Really?” the little boy said. He raced over and pressed the button, delighted with himself when the tree lit up in all its glory.
Not usually one to fawn over such things, even I couldn’t deny the tree looked wonderful. Thanks to Jason and Seb order had been restored and Number 3, Bluebell Row, was, once again, home to the most beautiful tree on the street.
“Now for the pièce de résistance,” I said. I reached into the box and pulled out one last item – a tree angel.
Seb looked on in awe. “She’s beautiful,” he said.
With her long golden hair, delicate face, sweeping ivory lace dress which had been decorated in pearls, she certainly was.
“Jason?” I said, holding her towards him.
“Me?” he asked, as if unable to believe he’d be trusted with such an honour. Jason smiled proudly as he looked around the room for something to stand on and opting for the coffee table, dragged it towards the tree. Carefully taking the angel from me, he stepped up onto the makeshift platform and stretched as high as he could to place her at the very top. Job done, he paused for a second as if enjoying the moment.
As he finally lowered himself down to ground level, we all stepped back to admire our efforts.
“Now the tree’s really happy,” Seb said. “And so am I.”
“Me too,” Jason said.
“And me,” I said, astonished by how much fun I’d had.
