Wish Upon a Christmas Cake (13 page)

Esther appeared in the kitchen and started pulling platters out of the fridge.

‘Have you brought the picnic rugs, Mum?’ Karl asked.

‘Of course.’ She flashed him a smile, then started taking things to the drawing room. We loaded up the eggnog and the rest of the platters, as well as some dips and crisps, and carried them all through.

Dad shook out the large rugs and placed them in the middle of the floor, then Karl and I helped Mum to lay out all the food. Sam took a sofa with Holly while Aunty Gina sat with the extremely quiet Tanberk on one side and Rebecca – still glued to her technology – on the other. I realised I’d barely heard her say a word and shook my head. It seemed that the media was right when it blamed technology for the loss of communication skills if Rebecca was an example of a typical teenager. Mum and Dad sat either side of Jack, and Karl and Angelo squashed into the swivel cuddle chair.

‘The DVD’s in already, Katie,’ Dad said as he aimed the remote at the fifty-inch plasma TV in the corner of the room. I glanced around, wondering where to sit, and Sam caught my eye. He gestured at the sofa next to him. Holly was sitting on one side so there was space on the other side. Not much, but still…

I squeezed in next to him and smiled as the familiar music began. I tried really hard to focus on the start of the movie but the warmth of his thigh next to mine and the muscular arm that he threw over the cushion behind me were somewhat distracting. However, the brandy in the eggnog soon took the edge off my self-consciousness and I piled a plate with Esther’s delicacies and shared them with Sam and Holly. It was good sitting next to him, almost like all those years hadn’t passed and we’d stayed together. I glanced at him a few times to find him looking at me and I wondered if he was thinking about how we used to be. The little girl at his side could easily have been my child. If things hadn’t gone so terribly and sadly wrong.

An hour and forty minutes passed far too quickly but we all laughed our way through the movie, even with the pauses that Dad made in order to explain things to Jack and Holly. I hadn’t realised that watching a movie with kids could be so funny. And somewhat frustrating. They had a thousand questions but Dad was patient and calm and answered every one. Even the ones about why the shop assistant (who Clark Griswold fancies) was flashing her knickers in the middle of the store. Holly was quite shocked by that one and said it was very rude, which we all agreed with wholeheartedly, while holding in our laughter.

When the movie had finished, it was dark outside. Dad went over to the window. ‘Hey, kids, it’s starting to snow again.’

Karl dimmed the lights and we all stared out into the night. Sure enough, in the glow from the Victorian lamps, we could make out tiny white flakes drifting down from the sky. I walked over to stand next to Dad and squeezed his hand.

‘A proper white Christmas. Just like Granny would have wanted, eh, Dad?’ He smiled and pressed a kiss to my forehead.

‘Yes, Katie. She always loved a proper white Christmas.’ His voice was thick with emotion. ‘I miss her so much.’

‘Me too, Dad. We all do.’

We stood there in silence for a bit, watching as the flakes grew in number and soon there was a thick white carpet beyond the glass.

‘Is it time for the special visitor?’ I whispered to Dad. ‘If you leave it much longer, the snow might be too heavy.’ He nodded, then left the room.

Esther took her cue. ‘I think we should get this picnic tidied up now, don’t you, kids? Or Santa won’t have anywhere to put things when he comes tonight.’

‘Will he know we’re at the lodge, Aunty Esther?’ Holly tugged at my mother’s arm.

‘Yes, of course, sweetheart, but when he comes to drop Rebecca’s gifts off here, we don’t want him tripping over things, do we?’

Holly shook her head vigorously. ‘We must tidy up, Jack. Santa’s coming and if he falls and hurts himself, he’ll never make it to deliver all the children’s gifts tonight!’

Jack rolled his eyes but started helping. My throat tightened. It was obvious that he wanted to believe but he was torn. Hopefully, what we’d planned would help him out. Santa always visited the Warhams on Christmas Eve, even when Karl and I were officially too old to sit on his knee.

Once the drawing room was tidy again, we turned the TV off and put the radio on. The DJ announced an evening of Christmas music and started with Nat King Cole’s ‘The Christmas Song’
.
Holly kept rushing to the window and giving us updates on the snowfall. Her enthusiasm was infectious and I was more excited than I had been in years. Who knew that having children around could be so much fun?

Aunty Gina got to her feet and held out a hand to Tanberk. ‘Dance with me, my love.’

He stood and took her in his arms then they began waltzing around the room, taking care not to bump into the furniture as they moved. I was spellbound as I watched their graceful movements and I realised what she was doing – this was a tribute to Granny and Jim. When the song finished, we all clapped and Jack wolf-whistled.

‘Gina that was amazing!’ Mum exclaimed. ‘When did you learn to do that?’

‘Tanberk is actually a semi-professional ballroom dancer, so I owe all of my expert teaching to him.’ My aunt glowed as she gazed at her boyfriend.

‘You didn’t let on before, Aunty Gina.’ I shook my head.

‘No, darling. This was our gift to you all…our tribute to my mother and father. Do you remember how they used to dance, Esther?’

Mum nodded. ‘Like Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers they were.’ Her eyes glistened and I choked up again.

‘Can you do any others?’ Angelo asked.

‘Just the waltz and the tango so far, but Tanberk has promised to teach me all he knows. You should come to the local dance centre sometime, you know. All of you. It’s so much fun!’

‘I’d have enjoyed that, but with us moving away, it won’t be possible now.’

Gina smiled at Mum. ‘I’m sure there’ll be something similar out in France and, if not, we’ll teach you when we come to stay.’ The two women stared at each other for a while, their eyes sad but their hearts joined. I’d never seen them so friendly but they were united now in their loss as the elder females of the family. It was a poignant moment and comforting to think that something positive could have emerged from the pain of losing Granny.

Suddenly, from outside, we heard the ringing of tiny bells. It started as a faint tinkling then increased in volume until it was right outside the house.

Holly ran to Sam and grabbed his knees. ‘Daddy! Did you hear that?’

‘It’s just bells on the radio.’ Jack yawned.

The bells tinkled again and Jack jumped to his feet. ‘I heard it then, Holly!’ They ran to the window that overlooked the front lawn and peered through the glass.

‘What’s that?’ Holly frantically rubbed the glass where it had misted up under her hot breath. ‘Daddy…it’s a reindeer!’ She bobbed on the spot. Sam glanced at me and mouthed
a reindeer?

I shrugged and frowned. I wasn’t certain, but I had a feeling that this had something to do with Dad disappearing earlier that morning. He’d been on foot so hadn’t gone far but perhaps he’d enlisted some local help. That would be typical of my father, determined to make things as magical as possible for the children. He would have made a wonderful grandfather. My throat ached and I swallowed hard.

Sam came over to the window. Holly grabbed my hand and my heart did that lurching thing again. She was the cutest little girl and she made me want to take care of her; to make her happy. It concerned me that I could experience such yearning – after all, I was a hard-headed businesswoman now. I was convinced I didn’t have time for sentimentality or to become involved with a family. I’d have to blame the heightened emotions of Christmas time.

‘Ho! Ho! Ho!’

‘Did you hear that, Daddy?’ Jack asked.

‘Sure did,’ Sam replied.

‘That sounded like Santa!’ I said. ‘Come on!’ We dashed to the hallway and grabbed our coats and hats, then I opened the door and, sure enough, stood on the lawn with a real reindeer, as snowflakes fell around him, was Santa Claus. Well, okay, Dad in a costume but hey, suspend your disbelief.

‘Hello, Santa,’ Holly said, her voice filled with awe.

‘Hello, Holly,’ Santa said. ‘Merry Christmas. Would you and Jack like to meet my reindeer?’

‘Yes please,’ Jack replied, then hopped down the steps closely followed by Holly.

Sam stood at my side and watched as Santa spoke quietly to the children about the reindeer in front of them and the others that were apparently currently up on the roof waiting. Jack and Holly told him what they’d like for Christmas and Holly promised to leave carrots for the reindeer and one of Katie’s special mince pies for Santa.

‘Well, children, I’d better be on my way as I have a hectic schedule this evening. Mrs Warham, would you care to help me back up to the roof?’

Mum nodded. ‘Of course, Santa.’

Holly threw herself at Dad and hugged him. ‘Thank you, Santa, for visiting us. Now my brother Jack has to believe in you.’

Jack’s face turned bright red and he kicked at the snow gathering on the ground.

‘It’s okay, Jack,’ Dad said. ‘Everyone doubts things sometimes. Have a wonderful Christmas with your family and friends.’ Jack nodded and Dad ruffled his hair then took Mum’s arm. The rest of us moved back inside and Holly waved frantically as they disappeared from view.

‘Well that was really something,’ Sam said as we stood in the enormous hallway.

‘Daddy?’ Holly shook his leg. ‘We should get to bed now or Santa might not come back.’

Sam raised his eyebrows. ‘Katie, do you think that Santa will have taken off by now?’

I smiled. ‘I think the coast should be clear.’

‘Okay then. I’m going to take Jack and Holly down to the lodge, so we’ll see you bright and early. They’ll no doubt be up before it’s light so they need to get some rest.’

My family said their goodnights and Angelo and Karl climbed the stairs singing ‘Jingle Bells’ – the naughty version – which sent Mum into deep throaty Champagne-induced laughter. Aunty Gina and her boyfriend returned to the drawing room and Rebecca followed, still glued to her tablet.

‘I guess it’s goodnight then,’ I said, irritated by my sense of disappointment at the evening coming to an end. I pulled my hat off and ran a hand through my now-static hair.

‘Unless you’d like to give me a hand?’ Sam asked.

‘A hand?’

He nodded his head in the direction of the children. ‘You know. A
hand
…’ Sam leant forwards and whispered, ‘With Christmas. Come on, Katie. Understand me. Unless, of course, you don’t want to.’ He leaned forwards and whispered, ‘I’m sorry. I shouldn’t ask. I didn’t mean anything by it. It’s just there’s quite a lot still to do.’

‘Oh! Of course.’ I said loudly, realising that his guilt was rising again. ‘I’d love to give you
a hand
.’

I reached for my coat and boots then pulled on my hat. Sam needed some help and he’d been almost afraid to ask for it. How awful that must be. I’d certainly help him in any way I could and I didn’t want him to feel bad about asking.

‘Why do you need Katie’s hand, Daddy?’ Holly asked as we walked down to the lodge, crunching through the fallen snow. It was heavy now; big, fat flakes that landed on our heads and shoulders and covered the ground in a thick white blanket.

‘It’s a grown-up thing, silly,’ Jack said.

‘What do you mean?’ Holly stopped and gazed up at the sky then opened her mouth. She smacked her lips as a snowflake landed on her tongue. ‘Delicious.’

‘Daddy and Katie want some time
alone
,’ Jack muttered as if he had all the answers to grown-up behaviour.

I stared at Sam, my eyes wide and my cheeks hot but he just laughed.

‘But why?’ Holly asked.

‘They’re friends, idiot. They probably want to talk about how great it was being young and how awful it is getting older.’

‘Don’t call your sister an idiot, Jack,’ Sam warned.

‘She doesn’t know anything though, Daddy!’ Jack rolled his eyes.

‘Where did he get that from?’ I asked as the children ran on ahead.

‘The bit about youth and age?’ Sam paused. ‘Eight going on eighty. I think he listens to my mother on the phone to her friends, to be honest. Even though he’s been warned about eavesdropping.’

When we got to the lodge, Sportacus and Stephanie were waiting at the door. They burst out into the night, then raced around, clearly excited by the cold white covering that had appeared within hours. Sportacus opened his large mouth and ran through the snow, hoovering it up then spluttering as it slipped down his throat.

‘Is he all right doing that? He’s a bit like a canine snow plough.’

He shrugged. ‘I guess it can’t hurt, though he’ll probably need to go out again before he goes to bed to get rid of all the extra fluid he’s taking in.’

Holly and Jack went inside to brush their teeth and Sam and I stood on the doorstep and watched the dogs frolicking. ‘They like the snow a lot, don’t they?’

‘Best thing ever. That’s what bulldogs are like, excited by everything and eternally grateful. I still get excited by a good snowfall though, Katie. Don’t you?’

‘Definitely,’ I agreed. ‘It makes me feel like a kid. Sometimes I wish I could go back to being young and innocent again. Have a totally clean slate.’

‘I think we all do. A clean slate would be nice. But then we’d have to experience all the teenage angst again as well as all the pain. I wouldn’t enjoy that.’

‘You had teenage angst?’

‘Of course.’

‘But you always appeared so confident and self-assured.’

‘Katie, don’t you know anything about boys?’

I was not going to answer that one.

‘It’s drilled into us from an early age that we have to be brave and confident, strong and together. Men don’t cry, they don’t weaken and they never surrender.’

‘Sounds like an army advert.’

‘Just because we appear to be tough on the outside, doesn’t mean that there’s not a gooey centre. I suffered plenty as a kid, believe me. Especially around—’

‘Daddy, we’re ready!’ Holly bounded towards us.