Page 31 of Christmas, Actually

‘This is lovely,’ she said as Liam opened the car door and immediately opened hers too. She let him help, wishing she’d changed out of her Mrs Christmas dress when the front door burst open and Figgy came bounding outside, swiftly followed by the young boy Clara had seen in the Santa Paws Pet Shop.

‘Daddy!’ the child shrieked as he ran into the driveway. The child wore a Christmas jumper and socks patterned with dinosaurs and as he drew closer, he bounced and leapt into Liam’s arms.

‘Sorry, sorry!’ an older woman, who Clara recognised from the pet shop, shouted from the door. ‘He’s been so excited to see you. His socks are going to be covered in snow.’ She was wearing jeans and a Christmas jumper that matched Charlie’s. She was around seventy with a rigid white bouffant of hair and a face that looked like it smiled regularly. ‘We’ve been baking,’ she told Liam, giving Clara a wide smile. ‘Mrs Christmas! It’s so lovely to meet you again. I’m so sorry about the other day.’

‘It’s fine and please call me Clara,’ she said as Liam carried Charlie to the house before putting him on the ground. He swept an arm, indicating Clara should join them inside, then headed back to the car.

‘Daddy!’ Charlie yelled and Figgy let out a loud bark.

‘I’m just picking up the decorations Eleanor gave me,’ Liam explained.

‘I’m Jenny Musgrave. I live there.’ Jenny pointed to the house next door which was similar to Liam’s – aside from the fairy lights glowing inside and out. ‘Would you like a cup of tea?’ She indicated that Clara should follow her into Liam’s door.

‘I’m not thirsty, thank you, though.’ Clara immediately slipped off her shoes and put them beside Charlie’s wet socks, then padded along the hallway, pausing to slide off her coat and hang it on one of the bulging hooks. Figgy momentarily dropped his Christmas pudding so he could sniff it and whine.

‘Come into the sitting room,’ Jenny said, darting through the door on her left just as Clara heard Liam shut the front door.

She followed the older woman into a large bright room with high ceilings – it would have been stunning if it weren’t for the piles of toys on the floor or the undecorated Christmas tree sitting to the right of the television.

The room opened out into a spacious dining room with a table and chairs in the centre. There was a sideboard and a stack of boxes filled with toys. Everything was covered in stuff: from piles of washing, to half-built Lego sets, to garages heaped with cars. There was also a mound of papers piled up beside a computer on the table. It was clear from the clutter that Liam was juggling a lot of balls and for the first time, Clara appreciated how tired he must be. She turned and saw him put the box next to the tree before opening the lid.

‘Wow!’ Charlie cheered as he bounded over and reached inside, immediately pulling out a bauble in the shape of a dog. ‘Figgy!’ he shouted and hung it on one of the bottom branches.

‘You should probably put the fairy lights on first,’ Jenny suggested.

‘Don’t worry – let him have his fun and I can rearrange it after,’ Liam said in a low voice, as his son pulled a giant blue bauble from the pile and hung it next to the other one. Liam moved closer to Clara. ‘I’m guessing he’s going to hang them all on the bottom branch,’ he whispered. ‘He hates it when I help with anything, so I’m just going to let him get on with it. I’ll definitely need you to help me sort it out later, though.’

Clara nodded, watching the small boy. ‘He looks like you,’ she said. He had the same sandy-coloured hair, the same jawline. He’d be as stunning as his father one day.

‘Poor kid,’ Liam muttered.

‘Hardly,’ Clara snorted, and when she glanced at him, he looked flustered.

‘Dad!’ Charlie shouted, dropping the bauble he was holding and turning around. ‘Granny Jenny said I can have a sleepover at her house tonight, can I?’

‘Well, I feel like Granny Jenny might prefer to have a night in on her own,’ Liam said, swivelling to frown at the older woman. ‘You’ve been incredible but⁠—’

‘Oh, my cousin dropped off some Tom and Jerry DVDs earlier.’ She widened her eyes and nodded to Charlie. ‘Someone spotted them and, well, you know how bloodthirsty he is.’ She grinned.

‘We’re going to have a movie night,’ Charlie said, giving his father a toothy grin. ‘The mouse and cat chase each other – they’re funny.’

‘We can do it another night if it’s not convenient,’ Jenny suggested, looking concerned. ‘I know you’ve not seen much of him, but I thought you might appreciate some time…’ Her attention darted into the dining room. ‘To get yourself sorted for Christmas. But—’ She pulled a face.

‘No, it’s… it’s actually really good of you.’ It was clear Liam was torn. On the one hand, Clara knew he was struggling to keep up. On the other, it was clear he felt guilty about not seeing Charlie enough.

‘I can help with everything to make it quicker,’ she offered. ‘It makes sense since I’m already here?’

Liam’s lips curved. ‘That’s not really fair. Besides I’m used to doing things for myself…’

‘Well, she is your festive wife,’ Jenny said, smiling gently. ‘The least you can do is cook her a meal. And that Christmas movie’s on Netflix at the moment – you know that famous one with Hugh Grant. Just in case you need something to keep you occupied.’ She waggled her eyebrows suggestively. ‘You could put that on while you get yourself sorted,’ her voice raced and her beam intensified as her attention flickered between them, her meaning clear. ‘It’ll do you good to have some time for yourself.’

‘And we can watch Tom and Jerry and have dinosaur pasta instead of Daddy’s yuk,’ Charlie said cheekily.

‘Enough of the “yuk”, young man. Vegetables are good for you,’ Liam muttered, going to ruffle his son’s hair.

‘Are you sure?’ His forehead creased as he checked with Jenny and Clara in turn and they both nodded. ‘Well, if you insist, but I warn you—’ His gaze rested on Clara. ‘I’m going to cook and I’ll expect you to eat all of your vegetables. No excuses.’

‘Yuk,’ Charlie repeated as Clara laughed and the boy went back to hanging baubles, bunching them together.