Page 2 of A Merry Little Christmas
Over pasta Bolognese, we talked about the ‘Jingle Bell Forest’ event being held nearby, which Will was going to with his mum. It sounded gorgeous (and very romantic), the idea of getting well wrapped up and walking through a festive winter wonderland at night... breathing in the fresh scent of the pine trees and everywhere glowing with sparkling fairy lights . . . drinking mulled wine and hot chocolate and indulging in deliciously warm mince pies...
We also chatted about the pantomime –Shrekthis year – which Will’s school was staging in the last week of term.
‘It sounds great,’ said Caleb. ‘I thought you might have changed your mind and decided to audition for a part.’
I smiled. ‘Caleb tells me you’ve got a great voice, Will.’
‘He has indeed.’
Will twisted his face and shook his head, clearly embarrassed.
Caleb grinned. ‘I’ve heard you singing in your room. You should do it, mate.’
He and Penny had been trying to encourage Will to become involved in the school show but his nephew had so far resisted their attempts, saying he wasn’t interested. But I had a feeling it was shyness that was stopping him, and again, I totally understood. No way would I have auditioned for a speaking part when I was Will’s age. I would have been mortified and probably totally tongue-tied getting up on that stage. I wouldn’t have minded singing in the chorus, where you were lost among a crowd. But Will was even resisting doing that...
‘There might not be a show at all,’ he said with a shrug.
‘Really? Why?’ I asked.
‘Ryan in my history class was supposed to be playing the part of Shrek but he got ill at school and collapsed on the floor and the teacher Mr Harvey had to give him the kiss of life.’
‘What?’ Caleb looked alarmed. ‘When did this happen?’
‘Last week.’
‘What was wrong with him?’ I asked.
‘He had his appendix out in the hospital. It was an emergency operation.’
‘Is he all right now?’ asked Caleb.
‘I think so. But now Mrs Hunter – she’s the music teacher . . . she’s looking for someone else to play Shrek.’
‘Right.’ Caleb nodded thoughtfully. ‘I suppose Ryan will be out of action for quite a while.’
‘It was weird when he just fell on the floor. People were scared,’ said Will, frowning as he recalled what happened.
I guessed the incident must have scared Will as well... to be confronted by the fragility of life at such a young age...
‘It can be frightening when someone collapses in front of you,’ agreed Caleb. ‘I once had to help a man who’d been hit by a car and I remember feeling pretty helpless myself, to be honest.’
‘When was this?’ I asked, surprised. ‘You never told me.’
‘Oh, it was back in February, just before I met you.’ Caleb shrugged. ‘But as Will was saying, it can be quite scary, not knowing what to do when something like that happens right in front of you.’
I nodded. ‘Well, I’m just glad your classmate Ryan is okay.’
‘He’s definitely okay. His best mate went to see him in hospital and he said Ryan asked his parents if he could have one of his Christmas presents early because he was going to be really bored at home. So they said yes and he got it!’ Will paused for dramatic effect. ‘A new Xbox.’
Caleb and I chuckled. And Caleb said, ‘Well, that’s the silver lining right there.’
Will shrugged. ‘I don’t mind having to wait till Christmas Day.’
‘Maybe you don’t have to wait at all – for one gift, at least,’ said Caleb with a mysterious smile.
‘What do you mean?’ asked Will, an excited light in his eye.
‘Well... I bought you something for your stocking today. But I guess you could have it now.’ He rummaged in his back pack and produced a small plastic carrier bag. ‘Specially for my car-mad nephew,’ he smiled, handing the bag to Will. ‘Happy month-before-Christmas!’
