Page 116 of Christmas at Sturcombe Bay
“I know. I saw the pictures you sent.”
“Daddy said she was a she reindeer, that’s why she had antlers. The boy reindeers don’t have them at this time of year.”
“Is that so?”
“And she was called Bikka. That’s nearly the same name as my pony! Isn’t that funny!”
Shelley laughed. “It certainly is. When did you get back?” she added to Cassie.
“Last night. We really did have a wonderful time. She was so excited to see Santa.”
“It’s lovely that she’s still at an age to believe in him,” Julia remarked. “Ben’s beginning to have his doubts.”
“Ah, it’s a shame that they have to lose that magic.”
“Come on, Robyn,” Ben called. He had already made a start on piling up snow for the snowman. “Come and help.”
The little girl scampered over to join him. The three men were also recruited — not that they were at all reluctant. Soon a magnificent snowman was taking shape, becoming taller than Ben.
The lights on the Christmas tree beside the front steps were winking brightly, casting their jewel colours on the snow. The children’s piping voices echoed on the frosty air like birdsong.
Shelley smiled as she watched them. Tyler had stopped chasing himself round the car park and had come over to stand beside her. He leaned against her leg, and she stroked his big head fondly.
Several of the foster homes she had grown up in had had dogs, and she had always loved them — dogs never judged you or let you down.
And there was Alex, laughing as he helped build the snowman, every bit as enthusiastic as the children. He glanced across to her and smiled, and she felt her heart soar.
“Hello!” Vicky and Tom, with Debbie and little Amy, greeted them as they turned in through the entrance. “We came down to get some hot chocolate.”
“We did the same,” Julia called back. “But we got sidetracked!”
Amy had scampered over to join her friends. Tom had Rufus on his lead, and as soon as he let him off he barked joyfully, trying to run through the snow, though with his little legs he didn’t find it as easy as Tyler.
“Come and help with the snowman, Uncle Tom,” Ben pleaded. “We’re building the biggest one ever!”
Tom laughed. “It certainly looks like it.”
“Hey, I saw you building it.” Jess come down the steps from the hotel. “I’ve brought a few things you might need.”
“Great. Thank you, Auntie Jess!” Ben ran over and seized the offerings — a carrot for a nose, some Brussels sprouts to make eyes and buttons, and a long red scarf that one of the guests must have left behind.
“How did you get on?” Julia asked Debbie quietly.
“Great! Want to see the scan?”
“Do I!”
The women all huddled round as Debbie took an envelope from her bag and opened it, pulling out the black-and-white printout. Peering over her shoulder, all Shelley could see at first was a pattern of random blobs, but as she looked, they gradually resolved themselves into a recognisable shape.
A baby.
No. Don’t even start thinking about that. One day at a time . . .
“Does Amy know yet?” Cassie asked.
Debbie shook her head. “Not yet. We want to wait a little longer to tell her. Get the excitement of Christmas out of the way first.”
Over at the snowman, progress had been quick with so many helpers. A large ball had been made ready, and with all due ceremony was placed on its shoulders. The eyes and nose were added, and the buttons down his front.
