‘Who wants to watch The Snowman with Mum?’ cried Rachel, already feeling a little misty-eyed at the thought.
‘Not The Snowman again,’ groaned Lily, unimpressed.
Rachel ignored her. ‘Will?’
‘No, thanks,’ said Will, glancing up from the game he was playing on the iPad.
‘I’m giving the turkey a bath,’ called Steve from the kitchen.
‘Of course you are, darling,’ replied Rachel.
Steve appeared in the doorway wearing matching ‘Christmas Chef’ apron and hat. ‘If it’s good enough for Nigella, then it’s good enough for me.’ He grinned.
‘Can I help you, Daddy?’ said Lily in the syrupy voice she reserved only for Steve.
‘’Course you can, Lils. Follow me.’
They disappeared into the kitchen, leaving Rachel staring forlornly at the DVD she was clutching in her hand. ‘I’ll watch it with you, Mama,’ said Alfie, climbing up onto the sofa and nestling into her arm.
‘That’s my boy.’ Rachel smiled, pulling him closer.
There was a knock at the door. Rachel glanced at her watch. ‘That’ll be Granny. Early as usual.’
‘I’ll get it,’ said Will, sloping to the door, followed by Alfie singing a chorus of, ‘Granny! Granny! Granny!’
‘Hello, my little dears,’ came Diana’s voice from the porch. She appeared in the doorway moments later with Alfie hanging from one arm.
‘Let Granny come in,’ said Rachel. ‘Hi, Mum. You’re just in time to watch The Snowman.’
Diana wrinkled her nose. ‘Isn’t that a children’s cartoon, Rachel? Ooh, your tree’s very wonky and you’ve got far too many decorations on the lower branches.’
‘And so Christmas begins,’ sighed Rachel. ‘Right, I’m going to make some popcorn and watch this with Alfie. If anyone wants to join us, they can.’
As the film ended Rachel looked around her through tear-blurred vision. Alfie was cuddled under one arm and Lily had crawled in next to her mother on the other side. Will stood in the doorway watching but pretending not to. Rachel noticed her mother dab one eye with a handkerchief.
‘Are you all right, Mum?’
‘I’m fine, thank you, Rachel. I just had something in my eye.’
‘Why do we watch this every Christmas?’ wailed Lily. ‘It’s so sad!’
‘I have no idea. I just love it.’ Rachel sniffed.
‘Right, well, I need some little elves to help me put my presents under the tree,’ said Diana, regaining her composure.
‘Me! Me! Me!’ cried Lily and Alfie.
Rachel smiled. ‘I’ll take your bag up to your room, Mum. I’ve put out a towel.’
‘Could I also have a hand towel and a flannel, please, Rachel? I’m not a barbarian.’
‘Of course,’ said Rachel through gritted teeth. She went into the kitchen where Steve was casually throwing star anise and peppercorns into their recycling box, which had been transformed into a bath for the turkey. ‘Is it too early for a gin and tonic?’ sighed Rachel.
‘It’s never too early for a gin and tonic at Christmas.’ Steve smiled, offering an arm for a hug, which Rachel gratefully accepted. ‘Don’t let her get to you,’ he said, kissing the top of her head.
‘Easier said than done,’ said Rachel. ‘I’ve just been sent in search of towels.’
‘Is someone about to give birth?’
‘Ha ha. You’re funny.’
‘I like to think so,’ said Steve, kissing his wife on the lips.
‘And quite sexy,’ she added, kissing him back. He started to work his hands up and down her body.
‘Euw, that’s gross,’ declared Lily, wandering into the kitchen.
‘Towels it is, then,’ said Rachel, disappearing up the stairs.
‘Daddy, can I Skype Cameron?’
‘Again?’
‘I just want to wish him a Merry Christmas. Pleeease?’
‘Go on, then.’
‘Yesss!’
Lily switched on the laptop and expertly typed in the password. Diana walked into the kitchen, carrying a bottle of wine and a Christmas cake.
‘A small offering,’ she said, smiling at Steve. She spotted the turkey in the box. ‘How very modern,’ she observed.
‘Thank you for the gifts, Diana,’ said Steve, ignoring the comment.
Diana nodded and approached Lily. ‘What are you up to?’
‘Just Skyping Cameron. You know, the pop star we met in New York.’
‘Oh, yes, he was a lovely young man.’
‘Come and say hello.’
Diana looked unsure but sat down next to Lily and peered at the screen. Lily pressed a couple of buttons and the computer made a dialling sound. After two rings, Cameron answered.
‘Hey, Lily!’
‘Hi, Cameron. I just wanted to wish you a happy Christmas.’
‘Happy Christmas to you too. Oh, hey, Mrs Darcy. How are you?’
‘I’m fine, thank you, Cameron dear. How is your grandmother?’
‘Better after the hip operation, thanks. She’ll be at Mum’s tomorrow so that’s cool.’
‘That’s very cool indeed.’ Diana smiled.
‘Did you get the tickets, Lily?’
‘I did. Thank you. I can’t wait to come and see the show next year!’
Cameron nodded. ‘It’s going to rock. And you’ve got backstage passes so you can come and hang out with the band.’
‘Awesome! I’ll have to bring my mum, unfortunately.’
‘I heard that,’ said Rachel, walking into the kitchen. ‘Merry Christmas, Cameron.’
‘And to you too.’ Cameron grinned. ‘I better go. I’m heading home in a minute. Have a great time, guys!’
‘Bye, Cameron,’ said Lily, pressing the ‘end call’ button.
‘That Cameron Soul is such a loser,’ declared Will, walking into the kitchen and receiving a punch on the arm for his troubles. ‘Ow!’
‘Okay, pack it in, you two. I know Christmas is a time for fighting with your family, but it’s still only Christmas Eve so there’s a long way to go and we need to go to the Nativity Service.’
Will rolled his eyes. ‘Why do I have to go? I’m an atheist.’
Rachel shook her head. ‘Just because you’ve learnt the word, doesn’t mean you are one, William.’
‘What’s an atheist?’ asked Alfie, joining the merry throng.
‘It’s someone who doesn’t believe in God,’ said Lily dramatically. ‘Mrs Spratt, the librarian, says if you don’t believe in God, you will go to hell.’
Tears brimmed in Alfie’s eyes. ‘But I don’t want Will to go to hell,’ he cried.
‘No one is going to hell but we are going to church,’ said Rachel, making a mental note to talk to the headmaster about Mrs Spratt in the new year. ‘Shoes, coats, hats, let’s go, go, go!’
It was almost dark as they made the short walk from home to the local church. Rachel loved Christmas Eve night. There was that air of anticipation that you only felt on this one day.
‘That’s the Christmas star,’ said Alfie, pointing a fat finger heavenwards.
Rachel looked up and didn’t have the heart to tell him that the star was in fact moving in the direction of Gatwick. She patted his bobble-hatted head. They made their way up the steps of the church, which was alive with candlelight and the faint scent of incense. They found some seats near to the front and soon afterwards the vicar came bounding in like an overexcited puppy.
‘Hello, everyone!’ he boomed in a voice that echoed around the walls.
‘Hello!’ cried the children.
‘Welcome to St Mark’s for our Nativity Service. We are going to have so much fun because guess what? It’s almost Christmas!’
‘Is that the vicar?’ murmured Diana with a frown. ‘He’s rather forward.’
‘He’s quite new,’ said Rachel, ‘and very enthusiastic.’
‘I can see that.’
‘Right, now, if you look at the crib, it’s very empty so I need some volunteers to help me find the nativity characters.’
Every person in the room under the age of ten shot up their hand. The vicar looked pained. ‘Oh, I can’t choose. We’ll have to all go together! Come on, let’s all go on a tour round the church to find the characters!’ It was possible that he hadn’t thought this through as fifty or so children raced around the church, unsure of what or who they were looking for. Chaos ensued. A sheep was nearly dropped, Steve caught a tall, leaning candle before it set fire to the crib and the Virgin Mary had to suffer the indignity of being carried upside down. Eventually, all the figures were safely stowed in their straw-lined scene. The vicar held up the figure of the baby Jesus. A hush descended.
‘This is the most important character. Can anyone tell me who this is?’ A four-year-old stuck up his hand. ‘Yes?’ said the vicar, smiling at the small boy with encouragement.
‘Babyccino,’ said the little boy with grave authority.
Everyone laughed, including the vicar. ‘Close, but no cigar. It’s baby Jesus and he won’t go into the crib until later on this evening. But I do think we should sing “Away in a Manger” to him, don’t you?’
The lights were dimmed and, in the flickering candlelight, Rachel watched her three children’s faces. They were all singing, even Will. She felt tears form in her eyes and Steve’s arm around her shoulder. She and Diana smiled at one another. It was one of those almost perfect moments, although in her heart of hearts Rachel wished that Emma were there to see it too.
‘I love Christmas,’ sighed Lily on the walk home.
As they rounded the corner they could see two figures standing outside the house. Rachel squinted and broke into a run as soon as she recognised them.
‘It’s Emma and Martin!’ she cried over her shoulder.
She wrapped her sister in a tight hug. ‘Surprise!’ Emma grinned. ‘Now can you let us in, please? It’s flippin’ freezing and I really need a pee!’
Half an hour later, they were sitting around the tree with mulled wine and hot chocolate.
‘But why didn’t you tell us you were coming?’ asked Diana.
‘I didn’t know myself until yesterday,’ said Emma, smiling at Martin. ‘It was a Christmas present from my beloved.’
Martin put an arm around her. ‘Will you have enough food?’
‘We’ve always got far too much,’ said Steve reassuringly. ‘Will you be all right on the sofa-bed?’
‘Fine.’ Martin smiled.
‘Actually,’ said Emma, ‘we do have some news. I was going to save it for Christmas Day, but I can’t wait any longer.’
‘You’re engaged again?’ asked Diana hopefully.
‘No. I’m pregnant!’ cried Emma.
The next five minutes were a commotion of surprised hugs and joyful congratulations.
‘Mum, are you all right? You haven’t told us that we should have got married first,’ said Emma, teasing.
Diana raised one eyebrow. ‘Emma, I do know the way of the world these days. I’m delighted to have another grandchild on the way. I just wish your dear father could be here to share in the news.’
Emma gave her mother a hug. ‘Me too,’ she said.
While they were all celebrating, Diana approached Lily. ‘Lily,’ she said. ‘Do you think you could help me with something?’
‘Sure, Granny,’ said Lily, following her grandmother out of the room.
‘You’re going to get fat!’ cried Rachel joyfully.
Emma stuck out her tongue. ‘I don’t care,’ she said, putting an arm around Martin.
‘Are you going to get married, then?’ asked Rachel.
Emma looked at Martin and they both shrugged. ‘I don’t see any hurry for that. We want to enjoy starting a family.’
‘You’re going to get fat!’ repeated Rachel with glee. ‘It’s the best Christmas present ever!’
‘You’re welcome?’ said Emma, shaking her head.
Lily came back into the room looking pleased with herself. ‘Where’s Granny?’ asked Rachel.
‘Talking to her boyfriend on Skype. I helped her,’ she said proudly.
Emma and Rachel exchanged glances and crept out into the hallway to listen.
‘And so I’m going to be a grandmother yet again,’ Diana was saying.
‘Well, that’s wonderful news, Diana. You must be so proud,’ said George.
‘I am,’ said Diana. Rachel squeezed her sister on the arm.
‘I’m pleased to hear from you, Diana. I hope this can become a regular occurrence.’
‘So do I, George. Well, I mustn’t hold you up. I just wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas.’
‘And to you and your family. I may be coming to London in the new year so perhaps we could meet up?’
‘I look forward to it. Goodbye, George.’
‘Goodbye, Diana.’
Diana carefully pressed the ‘end call’ button as Lily had shown her and rose from her seat. ‘I know you two are out there,’ she called to Emma and Rachel. The sisters giggled. ‘And I’m not sure what you’re sniggering about,’ she added, walking out into the corridor. They faced their mother, pretending to be serious. ‘But I am glad we’re all together,’ she said with a smile, patting them both on the arm as she made her way back into the living-room.
‘That was almost a declaration of love,’ observed Rachel.
‘Well, I felt it,’ agreed Emma with a grin. ‘It’s good to be here, Rach. I miss you lot, you know?’
Rachel nodded and put an arm around her sister. ‘Don’t ever tell anyone I said this but, for the record, I think you’re going to make a brilliant mum.’
Emma feigned a look of shocked amusement. ‘Could I have that in writing?’
‘Don’t push it.’
Emma laughed. ‘Well, seeing as we’re having a moment here, if my kids turn out half as well as your three, I’ll be one happy mummy.’
‘Even Lily?’ joked Rachel.
Emma nudged her. ‘Even Lily.’
‘Well, Merry Christmas, little sis,’ she said. ‘I’m glad you’re here. You can do the sprouts tomorrow.’
‘No way,’ laughed Emma, shaking her head. ‘I can’t go near a sprout at the moment! But seriously, it’s good to be here. Best Christmas present ever. Merry Christmas, Rach.’
They watched their family gathered around the wonky tree, playing a rather competitive game of Uno, their faces bathed in soft reflected light, and grinned at one another. They knew they were lucky to be sharing this noisy, mildly chaotic moment in time and they intended to enjoy every wonderful second.