Page 14 of Christmas, Actually

‘Hazel said he can stay upstairs in her flat,’ Liam told him.

Jenny would have had him, but Liam hadn’t wanted to give his neighbour anything else to look after. Charlie had been fractious when he’d picked him up from preschool this afternoon. He was tired and had wanted to watch something on the TV with his dad – so he was going to be enough of a handful as it was. The woman was an absolute saint. He had no idea what he’d do if he didn’t have her. He also couldn’t keep relying on her good nature, but he didn’t have anyone else to ask. No family. He thought about Graham and balked.

‘Let’s go then.’ Ezra opened the door and a surge of chocolate-scented heat gushed out, making Liam’s stomach grumble. ‘Break a leg,’ Ezra added as he waved Liam inside.

Liam wasn’t usually nervous. He’d been playing Mr Christmas for the last two years. At first, it had been a distraction, a way to forget what had happened with Graham and Mia. Then he’d realised he’d enjoyed it and had decided to continue when he was asked. There was something about the sea of faces that lit up when he walked into the room with Mrs Christmas. The kids usually let out a low gasp, and even the parents looked a little stunned. He’d surprised himself by enjoying the singing too. He’d never considered that he had a good voice, but he’d practised hard after Charlie was in bed every night until he’d mastered the words and learned the tune.

Each time the audience started singing along, a bubble of warmth would rise from the pit of his gut and seem to fizz as it filled him up. It was the only time he didn’t feel empty these days – aside from when he was taking care of Charlie.

He looked around the room. The café was large, but it was packed. The customers had turned all the available chairs to face where they stood at the far end, away from the counter.

Hazel and her boys had decorated two huge Christmas trees which flanked the ‘grotto’ area. Liam knew that Eleanor had donated a ton of baubles and tinsel, along with lights to ensure maximum festive effect. He couldn’t help getting a kick out of the way the children’s faces lit as they took in Clara’s dress and his natty suit when they’d both taken their positions.

He’d never understood how none of the kids recognised him, especially since he didn’t have a beard. But there was something about the magic of Christmas that seemed to make him unidentifiable — much like Batman when he was wearing a mask over his eyes.

‘There are so many people,’ Clara whispered. She was standing beside him, staring at the crowd, and Liam could almost feel her body trembling. But she was still smiling which proved she had a backbone to rival his own.

She’d arrived late with Eleanor, so they hadn’t had time to talk. But his head was buzzing with questions: Did you hear from your fiancé? Did you message him back? Did you think about me at all? He swallowed, angry with himself. Annoyed that this woman had somehow got under his skin because he didn’t want her there.

‘It is busy and I think more people will come,’ he said in a low voice. ‘Just smile and don’t stress about the singing. You’ve got a good voice.’

He’d been surprised by how good. Clara had been a little rusty, but it hadn’t taken her long to pick up the tune and she’d hit every note with gusto. Although she’d spent a disproportionate amount of time apologising for what she considered her failure as a singer.

Someone had definitely dented her confidence, which was crazy considering how lovely she was. He wondered if the fiancé was responsible. Wondered why he cared. He barely knew the woman.

‘When do we start?’ Clara asked as four small children took their places at the front of the crowd, sitting on the ground beside the ones already there. Liam recognised a couple of the cute, round faces from the preschool and wondered if he should have got Jenny to bring Charlie. Then again, his son would have wanted to be at the front – probably clinging around his neck. Plus, then he’d have to explain to Clara that he had a child, and he didn’t want to share any more confidences – he had to keep his distance.

‘Welcome ladies and gentlemen, children too,’ Eleanor suddenly boomed, taking her place in front of them, using a microphone the committee had bought for her last year. ‘I’m so happy to see you all today. Mr and Mrs Christmas have travelled all the way from the North Pole for their visit to Hollythorpe, so make sure you welcome them properly.’

Everyone started to clap eagerly, cheering and stamping their feet, the noise so loud Liam wondered if the residents of Yulebury – a village five miles away – would be able to hear them too.

He heard Clara let out a soft ‘Wow’ and felt her shuffle closer to his side. Liam wasn’t sure if she was nervous or overwhelmed – but he found himself leaning into her, trying to offer comfort, as if his body had a mind of its own.

‘This is amazing,’ she said. When he turned to check she was okay, he found her eyes sparkling and a bright smile stretched across her face. Something inside his chest thumped, but he didn’t move.

‘Mr and Mrs Christmas are going to start by singing and I want you all to join in,’ Eleanor instructed as the crowd finally fell into a hushed silence. ‘Then those of you with tickets can go up in turn and introduce yourselves. Make sure you let them know what you want for Christmas before taking a gift from Santa’s sack.’

Liam knew there was a postbag filled with presents behind the café counter and either Danny or Sam would be bringing it out soon – if they stopped arguing for long enough. They’d been spluttering about some girl at school they were both in a maths class with. They were gaga about her and were fighting about who was going to ask her on a date first.

The children at the front started chatting excitedly and Liam found himself grinning, trying to forget about his problems: the rift with his brother, Mia, his attraction to Clara, how lonely he was. There was just so much happiness in the room, it almost felt like he was absorbing it into his bones – and he knew he had to let it happen, had to go with the flow.

‘This really is amazing!’ Clara repeated, pressing herself closer to his side.

‘It is. All the visits are… None are the same, but everyone reacts like this. People love Christmas. It seems to bring out the best in everyone.’ Unless you were married to them, that is.

‘It makes you realise just how much joy there is out there. It’s easy to forget that sometimes.’ She sounded wistful.

Liam didn’t look at Clara because she’d just articulated everything he felt. So he just grunted and inched his body a little to the right so they weren’t touching anymore, surprised by how much he wanted to wrap an arm around Clara’s waist and pull her into his side.

‘So, shall we let Mr and Mrs Christmas start their song?’ Eleanor asked. ‘I hope you’ve all been practising the words, because they’re going to need some help.’

‘So much help,’ Clara muttered.

The crowd cheered again and Liam saw Ezra raise his camera and take a photo, before he swivelled around and took a quick one of Eleanor too. Then the older woman went to switch on the sound system and Liam cleared his throat.

‘Remember, don’t be nervous,’ he whispered as the music began to play.

‘I don’t think that’s possible,’ Clara said before they both began to sing.