Page 66 of The Merry Christmas Project

‘I’m sure there will be someone who could rig that up for you,’ I said, thinking of Cole who seemed to be able to turn his hand to anything.

Nigel rubbed a hand over his bald head. ‘I’m trying to decide whether to do a tree with my dogging mates, or the bowls team. I can’t decide.’

‘Gosh,’ said Tom, stifling a laugh as he buttoned up his duffle coat. ‘What a dilemma. And on that note, I shall bid you good night.’

‘I think you mean your dog-walking mates,’ said Nell, ‘and as a favour to the rest of us, please choose the group least likely to decorate the tree with inflatables pulling moonies.’

Nigel scratched his beard. ‘That might be a tough call.’

‘It’s the celebrity guest I’m most excited about,’ said Sadie, twisting the lid back onto her mulled wine urn. ‘I’m addicted to that show; I’ve lost count of the number of gadgets that Hester Smart has managed to sell me.’

‘I’m excited to meet her too,’ I admitted, although in my case I was more interested in the fact that she was Cole’s sister than a TV presenter. I wished I knew what the protocol was for these things. Did I need to present her with a bouquet, or a gift of some kind, and what about a microphone – would she want to make a speech ? I added a note to research celebrity appearances to my list and sighed.

Nell hooked her arm through mine as we headed to the door. ‘You look shattered. Fancy calling in at the pub before we go home ?’

‘Is everybody out ?’ Nigel yelled into the empty hall before switching the lights off. Determining that everyone was, he locked up and handed me the key.

‘I’d better not,’ I said to Nell reluctantly, although the thought of a lemonade and a bag of crisps in front of the real fire in the Bristly Badger sounded heavenly. ‘I’ve got thirty gin and tonic candles to make.’

‘Ooh.’ Sadie pricked up her ears. ‘Can you make alcohol-scented candles ?’

I nodded. ‘I can make pretty much anything if there’s a fragrance oil for it.’

‘Stick me down for ten G and Ts and half a dozen mulled wines,’ she said.

‘Small or large ?’ I asked.

‘Need you ask ?’ She hooted with laughter. ‘I’m a landlady ; my order is always a large.’

‘Consider it done, and as you’re donating mulled wine on Christmas Eve, I’ll throw in gift wrapping too,’ I said, smothering another yawn. And added her request to my ever-increasing list.

Chapter 21

Cole

21 NOVEMBER

It was far later than Cole had planned to leave his dad’s flat, but Fred had asked them to stay for a game of Scrabble. One game had turned into the best of three and by the time Hester had conceded that Fred was still the better player, it was after ten o’clock.

Fred showed them to the door, walking even more stiffly after being seated for so long.

‘Thanks for our prawn sandwiches,’ Hester said, kissing Fred’s cheek. ‘And for trouncing me at Scrabble – you’ve still got the knack.’

Fred chuckled. ‘Not lost my marbles yet.’

‘And thanks for talking to us,’ said Cole, giving him a hug, ‘you know, about Mum and how you felt.’

The old man stroked his chin. ‘Doesn’t feel right admitting to your kids that you’ve been a silly old fool, but if I can stop you making the same mistakes I have then it’ll be worth it, eh, Son ?’

‘We’ll always miss Mum,’ said Hester. ‘But she’ll be with us in our hearts for ever. Life changes, for better or worse, but we still have to carry on.’

‘You’re right, love,’ said Fred, but his eyes were fixed on Cole. ‘When your mother was alive, I always looked forward to tomorrow. It’s taken me a while to understand that I need to find new reasons to keep getting up in the morning. But I’m getting there now. Life’s too short to be lonely.’

Cole felt a lump in his throat ; how lucky his parents had been to have a love like that. And his dad’s message wasn’t lost on him ; he’d forged ahead with business since he and Lydia had split, but his personal life left a lot to be desired. He wondered if subconsciously this was why he hadn’t put down permanent roots – because he didn’t want to do it alone ?

A nudge from his sister dragged him from his thoughts.

‘Do you hear that, big brother ? What have I been telling you ?’