jake’s notebook
Tuesday 24th December
Days since Mum got sick: Nine
Days until Christmas: One
five things to do before christmas:
- Find a way to get Mum home
- Persuade Lukas’s parents not to go back to Poland
- Make friends with Nora
- Find a turkey
- Research how to make a Christmas dinner
Tuesday was Christmas Eve but instead of feeling EXCITED I woke up with a tight KNOT OF DREAD in my stomach. How was I going to find a way to get Mum home and stop Lukas leaving the UK? What else was going to go wrong? Was Christmas going to be a TOTAL DISASTER this year?
Even though I felt in the UTTER DEPTHS OF DESPAIR, I forced myself out of bed and down the stairs as there was still SO MUCH that needed to be done before THE BIG DAY.
As it was Christmas Eve or Wigilia as they call it in Poland, we would be spending the evening at Lukas’s. In Poland they have lots of different Christmas traditions and the STAR SUPPER was my ABSOLUTE FAVOURITE.
Although we would still be having dinner at Lukas’s flat like usual, this year it would be different without Mum there. I wondered if Valerie had told Mum that they were leaving yet? I’d have to try and find out but first I needed to help Grandma with the CHRISTMAS PREPARATIONS and work out a plan to STOP LUKAS from leaving for ever.
Perhaps he could come and LIVE WITH US? I would HAPPILY share my bedroom with him.
‘Grandma!’ I shouted as loudly as I could.
There was no reply.
‘Grandma?’
I heard the distinct shuffle of slippers out on the landing and then Grandma’s fuzzy white hair appeared round the doorway, her eyes following close behind.
‘Why are you shouting?’ she asked.
‘It’s about Lukas,’ I said. ‘He’s moving back to Poland. And I need to find a way to make him stay.’
When Grandma didn’t reply, I continued. ‘I was thinking, maybe he could come and live with us for a while?’
‘I’m not sure how his parents would feel about that,’ Grandma replied.
‘We won’t know until we ask them,’ I said. ‘Maybe they’ll let Lukas stay with us and they can come and visit him here.’
‘The way you’re feeling about Lukas going,’ Grandma explained, ‘well, might it be even worse for Lukas’s parents if they had to leave him behind?’
I was almost IN TEARS thinking about LOSING LUKAS so I knew deep down how his parents would feel if they were separated too. It was the same feeling I had when I thought about being AWAY FROM MUM.
‘But he can’t just leave,’ I said. ‘I’ll miss him too much. First Mum went away and now Lukas is going too.’
‘Mum will be back soon, and Lukas will always be your friend, even if he has to move away. If you want to stay in touch, you will find a way.’
Grandma was right, Lukas would always be MY BEST FRIEND wherever he lived. He was probably NOT FEELING THAT GREAT about leaving either and that’s why he had kept it from me for SO LONG. I hadn’t even asked him how he felt about leaving.
‘Perhaps we can go and visit when your mum gets better?’ Grandma suggested.
‘That would be great,’ I said. ‘I’d love to visit Poland.’
Grandma had really helped me to see that maybe Lukas leaving wasn’t the END OF THE WORLD, and that it definitely wasn’t the END OF OUR FRIENDSHIP. I was determined to make that evening even MORE SPECIAL than ever.
‘We’ll still have the star supper next year, won’t we?’ I asked Grandma.
‘Of course we can, if you want to. I’ll have to ask Valerie for all her secret recipes.’
‘Thanks, Grandma. I was thinking I could help you today with the Christmas shopping if you want?’
‘Don’t worry, Jake. It’s all under control.’
‘Even my present?’ I asked cheekily.
‘Yes, even yours.’
The STAR SUPPER officially begins when the FIRST STAR appears in the night sky. As was tradition, I was out on the balcony by FOUR O’CLOCK with Lukas, looking eagerly up into the dusky darkness waiting for it to come out.
‘I’m sorry I got angry when your parents said you were leaving. You know, you could always come and stay with us if you don’t want to leave?’
I knew it was doubtful but I felt like I had to check just in case.
‘I’m not sure my parents would be happy about that,’ Lukas replied.
‘What about you, Lukas?’ I asked, scared of what his answer might be.
‘I’ll miss you and everyone at school a lot. But I also miss my friends and family in Poland,’ Lukas said. ‘And I want to do what’s best for my parents as well.’
‘I understand,’ I replied. ‘I’m not angry that you’re leaving. I’m just sad that I won’t get to see you every day anymore.’
‘I’m upset, too. I was starting to feel really at home here, I’d made new friends. You and Nora especially. But I can see why my parents want to go back.’
‘Your dad must be super excited about his new job?’ I asked.
‘Yes, I think he is,’ Lukas replied. ‘He’s like me, he doesn’t say much.’
‘I thought you were spending so much time with Nora because you were angry with me. I was so caught up in feeling jealous, I didn’t even ask if you were OK.’
At that moment the last of the remaining sun disappeared behind the back of the estate and the sky turned PITCH BLACK. The BRIGHTEST STAR I’d ever seen appeared as if from NOWHERE and TWINKLED MAGICALLY down on us.
‘Look! It’s time!’
At that moment, just as quickly as the star had appeared in the night sky, NORA appeared at the other end of the balcony and started making her way slowly towards us.
‘I hope you don’t mind me inviting her,’ Lukas said hesitantly. ‘I wanted to spend my last star supper in England with both of my best friends.’
I took a DEEP BREATH and waited for a WAVE OF JEALOUSY to ENGULF ME. However, this time it didn’t come. After all, having TWO BEST FRIENDS had to be JUST AS GOOD if not BETTER than one.
‘I understand,’ I said simply. ‘Nora’s not so bad after all.’
Lukas just smiled, his ears turning pink again at the edges.
‘Hey, Nora!’ I called out, in what I hoped was my friendliest voice.
‘Hi Jake, hey Lukas,’ Nora replied as she made her way towards us. ‘I’m so excited for my first Wigilia. I have no idea what to expect.’
‘You’re going to love it,’ I answered. ‘The food is amazing. And the company.’
‘I’m a bit nervous about meeting your mum, Lukas,’ Nora said.
‘Don’t be. There’s nothing to worry about. Everyone is welcome here,’ Lukas replied. ‘Shall we go inside?’
Just as we were about to open the door into Lukas’s flat, Grandma and Rose appeared. Dad was also making his way up the stairs and we all went in together.
In the front room the table had been pulled out and set for eight people. I knew that Nora would probably take Mum’s usual seat opposite me and next to Valerie, but I wasn’t ANNOYED. I was just happy to be here with so many people that were IMPORTANT to me.
The table was covered in a white cloth upon which sat THE MOST FOOD I had ever seen. A giant silver candlestick at the centre cast a warm glow on the fish and dumplings that had been carefully laid out in matching dishes beneath.
In the corner of the room was a small Christmas tree, where we would later gather to sing traditional Christmas songs and Marek would tell old folk tales that had been passed down through the generations.
‘Twelve dishes for the twelve apostles,’ I explained to Nora, who was looking slightly awestruck.
‘And don’t forget to look under your plate,’ I whispered. ‘That’s where they hide the money.’
Nora looked at me in confusion, but I just winked back at her.
‘You’ll see.’
Once we had all taken our seats, Grandma said she had AN ANNOUNCEMENT to make.
‘I spoke to the doctor yesterday,’ she began. ‘Your mum is doing really well, and they have said she can spend Christmas Day at home with all of us.’
Valerie was BEAMING, her smile so wide it could have lit up the ENTIRE ROOM. I smiled across the table at Rose, whose face was GLOWING beneath the candlelight. Even Dad looked PRETTY HAPPY to hear the news.
‘That’s the best news I’ve had all year,’ Valerie said. ‘Now everyone, tuck in, we don’t want the food to get cold.’
As we ate our HUGE FEAST, sang our favourite tunes, an eclectic range of BRITISH POP ANTHEMS and TRADITIONAL POLISH HYMNS, and listened to stories around the Christmas tree, I knew that Mum would be thinking of us and wishing she was here.
At ten o’clock, it was time to CALL IT A NIGHT. I was yawning and could hardly keep my eyes open. Nora’s mum had come to get her some time ago. Lukas and his parents would be staying up until EVEN LATER as they went to MIDNIGHT MASS. I didn’t know how they could stay awake a moment longer.
‘Come on, then,’ said Grandma. ‘Let’s go. Time for bed I think.’
I didn’t need to be told twice. All I could think about was that when I woke up the next day it would be CHRISTMAS and MUM would be here. I wanted to get to bed as soon as possible.
‘Thanks for a great dinner,’ I said to Valerie. ‘Don’t forget to give Grandma all your recipes so we can make it again next year.’
Valerie ruffled my hair.
‘See you tomorrow, Lukas,’ I called. ‘Bye Dad.’
When we got home, I ran STRAIGHT UPSTAIRS determined to get in the bathroom before Rose, so I could brush my teeth and get into bed in record time.
When my head hit the pillow it was only 10.20 pm. I couldn’t believe it would be CHRISTMAS DAY in less than TWO HOURS. And MUM would FINALLY be home. I COULDN’T WAIT to see her.