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“Joy? What are you doing here?”
“Merry Christmas to you too,” said Joy, holding out a Christmas card. “Sorry the card is late, but it would have been worse to give it to you tomorrow.”
“Oh, thanks. Are you off to the WI lunch?”
“Oh no, not for another few hours. I’m on my way to Church. I wondered if you’d like to join me?”
“At Church?”
“Goodness me, dear, you do know today’s a Christian festival? The clue’s in the name.”
“Of course I do, I’m just not really a church goer.”
“Neither are ninety percent of the people who fill the pews. It’s not like they’ll turf you out or check your credentials. To be honest, I could do with the company. There’s something a bit pathetic about going to church by yourself on Christmas day.”
Not as pathetic as spending the whole day on Netflix, thought Kate. “What time does the service start?”
“Half an hour. It takes me a while to walk there these days so I leave in plenty of time.”
“Alright, I can be ready in five. Why don’t you come and wait inside?”
Joy settled herself down on the purple sofa and Kate rushed through to the bedroom. What did people wear to church these days?
“Joy? What should I wear?”
“Clothes?”
“Helpful, thanks.”
Kate heard Joy chuckling away. She flung on a pair of jeans and fluffy jumper. To add a Christmassy touch, she slipped on her new crimson boots and slid a layer of red across her lips.
“Perfect,” said Joy as Kate joined her in the living room. “You might want to bring some gloves with you though, it’s bloody cold in that church.”
Kate grabbed gloves, scarf, a duffle coat and followed Joy outside. The town was quiet as they walked along the high street, but the few people they passed wished them a Merry Christmas, and both Joy and Kate returned the sentiment. Joy leaned heavily on Kate’s arm. For the first time Kate noticed how frail she was. When she was in the house, or puffing away in the garden Kate saw her as a force of nature. Negotiating the hills in town, Joy seemed to shrink to a little old lady, all alone on Christmas day.
“Thanks, dear,” said Joy as Kate helped her step down from the curb. “It’s no fun getting older. Your grandmother felt the same. All we wanted to do was go out dancing, but getting to the butchers was like climbing Everest.”
“Did my Nan come to church with you at Christmas?”
“Oh yes, and Easter. We used to go out for a roast dinner after the Easter service.”
“Well perhaps you and I could continue that tradition.”
“That would be marvellous,” said Joy, squeezing Kate’s arm. “Have you been into the church yet?”
“No, I haven’t thought to go down there. I didn’t even realise it was open to visitors.”
“It’s open every day. They have all sorts going on during the week. But I’m glad you’ve not been before, trust me, this is the time of year to go. If it doesn’t take your breath away, you’ve got no heart.”
“Um, OK,” said Kate, doubting the church would be any different from others dotted around the country.
Joy took the steps up to the church slowly, greeting several people who rushed ahead of her. They stepped into the lobby and through a heavy oak door. The first thing to hit Kate was the smell. Pine. Not the kind found in crappy air fresheners but real, fresh pine needles.
“Wow.”
“Has it taken your breath away?” Joy asked, studying Kate’s face for a reaction.
Kate nodded and moved further into the church. It was an enormous space, stone walls sweeping up to high arches holding a wooden ceiling. Colourful stained-glass windows turned the weak, wintry sun into a rainbow streaming in. There were the usual decorations, candles lit, nativity scene at the front. What took Kate’s breath away were the trees. Christmas trees lined each side of the church as far as her eye could see.
