Chloë looked out of the window, hoping for a blue sky, but the clouds were as heavy as her own mood. The house was trimmed – Simon had insisted on it – but her heart wasn’t in the usual festive preparations. She kept ringing Alexa’s flat, but there was no answer, not even a texted reply. She was more worried than ever.
‘I’m going down to the ferry to collect some gardening tackle. Come with me – we can pick up some fish,’ Simon said.
‘I’m busy, you go,’ she replied.
‘No, you’re not. Come on out. It’ll do you good.’
‘Don’t patronise me. I’m fine.’
‘No, you’re not, Chloë. You’re taking things too much to heart.’
‘How can you say that when my daughter won’t even speak to me? I wish this Christmas was over. I’m sick of it all. I’d rather forget the whole damn thing.’
‘You don’t mean that. Christmas is full of surprises and Ariadne is banking on you and Mel to sing well at the concert. Please come with me, love, just to keep me company.’
‘I’m not much company for anyone…’
‘Then I’ll have to think of ways to cheer you up.’
Chloë put on her Puffa jacket and a silk scarf in a sulk, and they set off. It was chilly, but the winds had dropped. Standing around at the terminal wouldn’t be much fun, watching all the relatives arriving off the ferry from Crete, carrying bags full of presents. Still, the fresh air might lift her despair.
They arrived early and she could see the boat chugging slowly into its berth. So many times they had taken the trip across to Crete, to Rethymnon, to the shops or to meet friends for lunch in its ancient streets.
She watched the gangplank being lifted, and one by one the passengers alighted, carrying bags, and cages with chickens or rabbits. Children leapt into the arms of grandparents. How cruel of Simon to make her watch all this. She turned away, with tears in her eyes. ‘Let’s go,’ she croaked.
‘Wait a minute. I think my parcel’s just arrived. Look over there…’
Chloë turned slowly. A figure was walking towards them, tugging a suitcase on wheels, a figure she would have known anywhere. ‘Alexa! It’s Alexa! Oh, you came.’ Chloë ran forward to greet her, in tears.
‘Of course I came.’ She hugged her mother tightly, then Simon.
‘How was your journey?’ Chloë was stunned, almost speechless.
‘A long flight to Athens, then Chania and then the ferry, but I’m here now with you.’
‘I can’t believe it’s you. I’ve missed you so much. Why didn’t you reply?’
‘And spoil the surprise? I wanted to give you a surprise, when Simon said how worried you were.’
‘Simon Bartlett!’ Chloë turned to him, wagging her finger.
‘Guilty as charged.’ He smiled, seeing the look on her face. ‘We’ve been emailing behind your back, making plans.’
‘How could you both let me worry so?’ Chloë felt her heart leap with delight. ‘I forgive you, but only just.’
Alexa’s face looked fuller and she was wrapped up for cold weather in a navy coat, with a scarf hugging her throat. Chloë got into the jeep, while Simon took the luggage and Alexa climbed into the back.
‘I didn’t know what to bring weather wise, but it said cold online. The air is so fresh here after London and the plane. It’s good to be away from the crowds and everything.’
‘And Hugh?’ Chloë asked.
‘No idea. He just disappeared, left me the flat, left everything. I think he’s having a mid-life crisis – I gather Lover Boy is half his age. Still, if it makes him happy…’ Her voice dropped. ‘Things happen for a reason, I suppose.’
As they drove up the main street, Alexa saw the huge boat covered with fairy lights. ‘Oh, how pretty! It makes a change from all those glaring things in Oxford Street. Will we be having the usual parties?’
‘Things are a bit different this year. We formed a choir, Ariadne’s Christmas choir, and we’re having a big concert to raise funds for refugees, but there will be the usual get-togethers.’
‘Don’t worry, I’ve brought my party frock, although it may be a bit tight. I’ve put on weight.’
‘Never mind, you’ll soon get it off in January.’
‘Not this time, Mummy. It’s weight of a different kind.’ Alexa laughed. As she stepped out of the jeep her coat flapped open to reveal an unmistakable bump.
‘Is that what I think it is?’ Chloë gasped.
‘Oh, yes, I’m nearly five months gone.’
‘Does Hugh know?’
‘Not yet. I wanted to keep it to myself and tell you first.’
Chloë hugged her daughter. ‘Come in and get warm. I just can’t take all this in.’
‘You will when you’re babysitting and the baby won’t settle.’
‘But your job?’
‘All in good time, Grandma. I need a mince pie and a glug of mulled wine.’
‘But you’re pregnant!’
‘One small glass won’t hurt – the alcohol will have burned off – and lots of spice, please.’
Chloë danced into the kitchen. ‘Thank you, thank you.’ She looked upwards, shaking her head in disbelief. Alexa had returned, bringing with her a gift so precious and unexpected. It felt like Christmas morning. How could you ever have doubted her? She wanted to rush out and tell everyone the good news. Alexa’s home for Christmas and not alone!
Later, when Simon was out, Alexa sat down with Chloë, sipping spiced berry cordial. ‘I owe you an explanation. I’m sorry I was short with you when you came to London. It was all a shock about Hugh and me. I thought it was just a difficult patch and we did try to mend things, but the sex got to be less and less. I tried hard to understand why he was leaving, but I was confused. I thought my periods stopped because of the stress, but other symptoms popped up and I just knew. I wasn’t sure whether to carry on with it. I’m sorry you came at the wrong time. I had made an appointment at the clinic to… It was a very low point. Then I realised I couldn’t go through with it. I felt so ashamed shoving you away, but I had to make that decision on my own. I thought of how you brought me up alone when Dad left, and how you managed and found one of the best husbands in the world. I couldn’t let this gift go.’ Alexa was crying.
Chloë hugged her tight. ‘I’m so proud of you. You’ve been through hell and I must’ve made matters worse, pestering you as I did.’
‘No, you did what any mother does. You held on, showing you cared, even though I was being a grade-one cow to you.’
‘How will you manage? You love your job.’
‘I can work from home, freelance. I have the name of a good nursery and lovely friends with children. I’m sure you’ll want to play your part too. I’m a big girl, Mummy. I can manage without Hugh, though he’ll have to take some responsibility financially. Who knows? He might even grow up enough to take an interest in his little one.’ They both laughed.
‘Poor Hugh, he won’t know what he’s missing.’
Alexa pulled a picture out of her bag. ‘Here she is… Olympia. Perhaps when he sees this princess…’ Chloë saw her grandchild curled up like a frond on the scan. ‘So… Olympia Anster…’
‘No, Olympia Bartlett. I’m going back to Bartlett. Simon was more of a father than Charlie ever was.’
Chloë was full to the brim with happiness. ‘Life gets so complicated, doesn’t it, but there’s always a way forward with an open mind. You seem to have it all mapped out. How long can you stay?’
‘For as long as you’ll have me. I’m due some leave and it will give me time to take stock and firm up plans. I want this little one to love the island and that’s why she’s going to have a Greek name.’
‘A wise and lovely choice.’ Chloë smiled, looking at the clock, knowing it was their last rehearsal before the concert, but she was going nowhere tonight, not with her daughter at her side.