The Best Christmas Ever: a feel-good festive romance to warm your heart this Christmas

by Karen King

  ‘Can you please try to persuade them, at least?’ Lexi asked.

  He rubbed the stubble on his chin. ‘I doubt that anything I say will have any clout.’

  ‘You could try, though. Tell them how much this carol service means to everyone. It brings the village together. People exchange presents, meet old friends, go on to the pub and have mulled wine and mince pies.’ She could feel her voice rising and took a breath to steady it, not wanting him to think she was getting emotional. ‘My eighty-four-year-old gran looks forward to that carol service.’

  ‘So do I, it’s the only time I get to see people over Christmas,’ Lloyd said.

  Joel looked from one to the other. ‘I will stress that the tree can be saved, and how much it means to the village. I can’t make any promises, though. As I said, it’s really not my decision.’

  ‘Thank you for trying,’ Lexi said, pleased that Joel wasn’t as anti-Christmas as she’d thought. ‘And I’m sorry if I was a bit over the top about it, but it means a lot to me.’

  ‘I can see that.’ Joel smiled at her. ‘Apology accepted.’

  ‘Good, now I’ll go and put the kettle on and make us all a hot drink,’ Lloyd said. ‘I’m going to have to move this little doggy first, though.’ He smiled down at Sweetie who was now curled up on his lap.

  ‘She looks very comfortable with you,’ Joel told him.

  ‘Oh, she’s used to me. I often stopped to make a fuss of her when Hazel or Al were taking her for a walk. Didn’t I, girl?’ Lloyd tickled Sweetie under her chin and she nuzzled into him.

  ‘I have to admit that I’m at my wits’ end with her. She insists on coming into my bed every night and spends most of the time fidgeting, snoring or barking.’

  He sounded like a parent talking about a toddler, thought Lexi, and she couldn’t help bursting out laughing.

  ‘It’s not funny, I can assure you. Sweetie might be adorable, but she is also a handful and definitely rules the roost. If I leave the house, even for a few minutes, she barks and whines, and has also started chewing up things.

  ‘Well, why don’t you leave her with me when you’re out at work, just until she gets used to you? It’s a shame for her to be alone,’ offered Lloyd.

  Joel looked a bit taken aback. ‘Are you serious?’

  Lloyd nodded. ‘It’s no trouble and she’ll be company for me. And speaking of company, thank you, both of you, for today.’ He looked around the room, beaming. ‘I can’t tell you what it means to me to have you popping in, and bringing a Christmas tree over,’ he said to Lexi. ‘And for you to come and check on me, Joel.’

  ‘Then, thank you, but only if you’re sure it’s no trouble. That would certainly be a weight off my mind,’ said Joel. ‘And I was wondering if you’d like a basket of logs? I had to chop a tree down last week – a diseased one,’ he added hastily. ‘The owner offered me some of the logs from it and now my wood store is overflowing. Could you make use of some? Call it payment for looking after Sweetie,’ he added quickly.

  Lexi guessed he was thinking that Lloyd might be too proud to accept his charity.

  ‘In that case, yes please.’

  ‘I’ll go and get them. Do you mind if I leave Sweetie here for a few minutes while I do?’

  ‘Of course. I’ll put the kettle on and make us a pot of tea while you’re gone.’

  Chapter Thirteen

  Joel’s mind was full of thoughts of the fir tree as he went back home to get a basket of logs for Lloyd. He would obviously tell Martin that he thought the tree could be saved but, as he’d told Lexi, he didn’t think Martin would take any notice of that. But it really was a magnificent tree and he would like to save it, if he could. Perhaps if he kept his price low and told Martin that he’d given a reduced quote on the condition he could save the tree in time for Christmas, Martin might agree. If not, maybe he could charge a low price for cutting down the tree but only on the condition that it was done after Christmas. The villagers might feel better if the tree was still standing for Christmas, even if there were no lights on it and the carol service couldn’t go ahead.

  Why was he trying to save the tree for Lexi? It was more important that people were safe. And Lexi would be gone back home in a week or so.

  It’s not just Lexi, it means a lot to the village, he told himself as he let himself in. And this was his new home, for now, anyway.

  He filled the log basket with dry logs from the wood store in the backyard and took it back around to Lloyd, who had left the door on the catch for him. Lexi was standing on tiptoe, putting a gold, sparkly fairy on the Christmas tree, Lloyd was wrapping red and silver tinsel around the tree branches, and Sweetie was fast asleep on the sofa – she didn’t even bother to look up when he came in. Charming, after you’ve kept me awake half the night, Joel thought.

  ‘Shall I take them out to your wood store for you?’ he asked.

  ‘That would be grand,’ Lloyd told him.

  Joel returned a few minutes later, having filled the basket with dry logs from the shed so Joel had a fresh supply. ‘I thought I’d save you the bother of having to bring some more logs in,’ he said, putting the logs into the almost empty basket by the fire.

  ‘That’s very kind of you.’ Lloyd pointed to a mug of tea, a sugar bowl and a milk jug on a tray on the coffee table. Both he and Lexi were holding their mugs. ‘Sit yourself down and have a cuppa now. Help yourself to milk and sugar.’

  ‘Thank you.’ Joel added a drop of milk in his tea and then stirred it around before taking a sip. Perfect. Not too strong, not too weak.

  ‘Fancy helping us put up the Christmas lights around the bay window?’ Lexi asked, holding up a string of lights. ‘They do work. I’ve tested them out.’

  He saw the challenge in her eyes. She was determined to entice him into enjoying some festive cheer.

  ‘Many hands make light work,’ Lloyd said cheerily.

  Why not? Decorating the room had obviously made Lloyd happy, and it would only take him a few minutes to fix the lights around the window. ‘Sure.’ Joel took a long sip of his tea then put the mug back on the tray. ‘Anything to help.’

  ‘Watch it, Lexi will be getting you wearing a Christmas jumper next,’ Lloyd said.

  Joel shook his head in mock-indignation. ‘Never.’

  ‘Never say never,’ Lexi told him with a smile as she handed him the lights.

  The atmosphere had lightened between them since he’d agreed to try and save the tree, Joel realised. He was glad, he hated being at loggerheads with anyone. He went over to the window and studied it. He could see some cable clips already dotted along the frame. ‘You want the lights draped around the frame using the cable clips that are already here?’ he asked.

  ‘I’d forgotten about those. Ruby always liked lights around the window, so I put the cable clips up to hold them in place.’ Lloyd looked sad at the memory, so Lexi reached out and squeezed his arm reassuringly.

  She was warm and kind as well as hot-headed and obsessed with Christmas, Joel thought. And beautiful too, especially with that bit of red tinsel stuck in her hair and the slight flush to her cheeks. And those sparkling Santa earrings.

  As Joel fixed the lights around the window, he could feel his mood brighten, he even caught himself humming to ‘Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town’ which was blasting out from the CD player. He’d bet Lexi had brought the songs with her, too.

  Sweetie had woken up now and was running around with a piece of red tinsel wrapped around her. They all chuckled at her antics And Joel took a photo of her. ‘I’ll send it to Hazel,’ he said.

  ‘It all looks wonderful, thank you both,’ Lloyd said, when the tree was finally decorated and the lights were twinkling around the window. ‘It looks so festive in here. It reminds me of Christmases when Ruby was here and Rocco was little.’

  ‘Is Rocco your son?’ Lexi asked.

  ‘Yes. He’s in his forties now, mind. Probably married with a child or two.’

  ‘Probably? Don’t you know
? Don’t you see him?’ Lexi asked, astonished.

  ‘We had a falling out a few years ago, not long after Ruby died. Rocco left and I haven’t seen him since. He was always more his mother’s son than mine.’ Lloyd sighed. ‘We had a difficult relationship.’

  ‘Lots of families do,’ Joel said. Including mine. ‘Well, I’ve got to be going. I’m only next door but one, give me a shout if you need anything.’ He put his hand in his pocket and fished out a card. ‘Here’s my number.’ He looked around. ‘You do have a phone, don’t you?’

  ‘Yes, I’ve got a mobile,’ Lloyd told him. ‘Thank you for your help.’

  ‘You’re welcome.’ Joel nodded at Lexi. ‘Bye, Lexi. I’ll let you know about the tree.’

  ‘Thanks.’ She handed Sweetie, who she had been stroking, to him. ‘I hope she doesn’t keep you awake tonight.’

  ‘Me too. I’m exhausted.’

  ‘Well, remember, pop her around to me when you have to go to work, or out anywhere. I’m happy to look after her,’ Lloyd told him.

  Joel nodded. ‘I will, thanks.’ It would be a relief to know that Sweetie was happy and being looked after, and he thought the little dog would be good company for Lloyd too. The old man was obviously lonely.

  Lexi waited until Joel had gone, then turned to Lloyd. ‘That’s really sad about your son. It would be lovely if you could both make up for Christmas.’

  ‘It would, but there’s not much chance of that. I have no idea where he’s living now and he’s washed his hands of me. I’ll be spending Christmas alone, as usual.’ Lloyd brushed the tinsel off his jumper. ‘Thank you for today, Lexi. You’ve really cheered me up.’

  This was her cue to invite him for Christmas dinner. She had to word it carefully, she didn’t want Lloyd thinking it was charity.

  ‘Why don’t you join us for Christmas dinner. You’d be very welcome. All the family will be there – my brother Jay and his wife are coming over from Canada on Wednesday, and my brother Ryan and his girlfriend will be there, and my gran, too. We’d love to have you join us.’

  ‘That’s very kind of you, and don’t think I don’t appreciate it, but I’m happy here with the TV and my memories.’ Lloyd smiled at her. ‘You enjoy Christmas with your family and don’t be worrying about me.’

  ‘Are you sure? You’d be very welcome.’ Lexi hated to think of the old man sitting on his own eating his dinner in front of the TV. She wished she knew where Lloyd’s son was and could persuade him to visit his father for Christmas. That would be the perfect Christmas present.

  ‘Absolutely positive. Now, would you like another cuppa before you go?’

  When Lexi finally arrived back home, her mother was in. She’d said she was taking the afternoon off from the bakery to get a few jobs done. ‘Did Lloyd like the Christmas tree?’ she asked. ‘Your gran said that you’d given it to him.’

  ‘Yes, he did. Joel came round with some logs for him, too, and he helped put the lights up in the window.’ She looked around. ‘Where’s Granny?’

  ‘She’s still out. She sent me a text to say that she’s gone for coffee with her friends this afternoon, and she hasn’t come back yet. I hope she comes back before it’s dark. I know that the roads are fairly clear and the snow has stopped now, but I still worry.’

  Lexi wondered if her gran was still at her yarn-bombing meeting. ‘I’m sure she’ll be back soon,’ she said.

  Sure enough, a few minutes later, the front door opened and in walked her gran, wrapped in a thick coat, hat and scarf. ‘Hello, love, did Lloyd like the tree?’ she asked Lexi.

  ‘Yes, and . . .’ She looked from her mum to her granny. ‘He’s going to be on his own for Christmas so I invited him over for us, he said thank you but he was happy on his own.’

  ‘That’s a shame, he would have been welcome. He might have kept Ma out of mischief,’ her mum said.

  Granny Mabe threw her a look of mock-indignation. ‘What mischief? I’ve just been for a coffee with my friends.’

  When Granny Mabe had taken off her coat and boots and they were all sitting in the lounge, Lexi filled them both in about the latest developments with the Christmas tree. ‘Joel’s going to see if he can get permission to cut off the dead branches and save the tree, or at least persuade them to postpone cutting it down until after Christmas.’

  ‘Good,’ Granny Mabe nodded, taking her knitting out of the bag she kept by the armchair she always sat on

  Lexi looked at her suspiciously. ‘Are you and your friends planning something, Granny?’ she asked, when her mother had left the room. ‘What was that secret you were going to tell me?’

  ‘Secret? I don’t have any secrets,’ her gran replied. ‘You worry too much, Lexi. It’ll all be fine. Now, can you get a darning needle out of my bag and help me stitch these squares together? I need them sewn four squares wide, like a long scarf.’

  Like a long scarf! Lexi thought of the long scarf-like yarn-bombs she’d seen wrapped around the trees and lamp posts in the village. ‘What are you going to yarn-bomb with this?’

  ‘Never you mind.’ Granny Mabe refused to meet her eye and concentrated on her knitting.

  The big secret. Suddenly it all made sense. ‘You’re going to yarn-bomb the fir tree on the green aren’t you?’

  Granny Mabe looked up and peered defiantly over her spectacles. ‘Yes, we are. If it’s still standing that is. Every year that tree is decorated for Christmas and this year isn’t going to be any different. We might not be able to put lights on it, but we can brighten it up. We’re going to hang knitted garlands and baubles on it.’

  ‘Granny, you can’t! Joel said that tree is dangerous, branches could fall off it at any time. That’s why it’s all cordoned off.’

  Granny Mabe peered through her glasses at Lexi. ‘Don’t look so worried. The council are exaggerating about the tree being dangerous. They just want an excuse to chop it down.’

  Lexi could hardly believe it. Her gran seemed to have no sense of the danger she and her friends would be putting themselves in. She had to do something to stop this before someone was seriously hurt. Or killed. Then she remembered her dad saying that he was going to get people who came into the shop to sign a petition to save the tree. She could start one online too.

  She went upstairs and logged onto her laptop, then selected the website to set up an online petition and started one to save the Christmas tree.

  Save the Lystone Christmas tree! For decades the big fir tree on the village green has been the focal point of a communal carol service. Every Christmas Eve, the lights are switched on and the villagers gather around to sing carols. Except this year. The council are planning to cut down the tree. We’ve only got a few days to save it. Please add your signature below.

  She posted the link to her Facebook page, the Lystone Facebook page and as many other relevant pages as she could, as well as emailing the link to the local newspaper. Could she possibly get enough signatures in the next twenty-four hours or so to make the council listen and agree to Joel saving the tree?

  Chapter Fourteen

  Tuesday, four days before Christmas

  ‘Have you seen the petition to save the village tree?’ Andy asked as soon as Joel answered the phone.

  ‘What petition? Joel asked, surprised.

  ‘It’s online. It’s got a thousand signatures already and it only went up last night. There’s a big spread about it on the Lystone News page.’

  Joel grabbed his tablet and keyed in a search for Lystone News. ‘Council threatening to cut down healthy tree,’ announced the headline. He frowned as he read it and discovered that Lexi had started the petition. The newspaper had interviewed her and she had told them that the tree could be saved but the council wanted to cut it down. ‘Word has it that they want to build some houses on the green,’ she was quoted as saying. Apparently a local conservationist group was already involved and the numbers signing the petition were growing every minute.

  ‘You still there?’ asked Andy.
>
  ‘Yeah, I got the article up and was reading it. It doesn’t mention us, thank goodness.’ He paused. ‘I know the woman who started the petition, she’s passionate about saving that tree.’ He briefly filled Andy in about his encounters with Lexi.

  ‘Well she certainly knows how to drum up support.’ There was an edge of admiration in Andy’s voice. ‘What do you think Martin will say?’

  ‘I don’t think he’s going to be very happy, but we’re not the only company that’s looked at the tree, so one of the others could have leaked that it could be rescued,’ Joel pointed out. ‘Hopefully he’ll get back to us this morning. You still okay to work with me for the next couple of days if he gives us the go ahead?’

  ‘Sure, let me know later.’

  Joel had just ended the call when his doorbell rang. Well, today looks like it’s going to be a busy day. Could it be Lloyd needing help?

  Sweetie had already jumped up. She barked and ran to the door. When Joel opened it, he was surprised to see Lexi standing on the front step.

  ‘I’m sorry to disturb you, but I wondered if there was any news yet from the council.’

  ‘I’m afraid not. I would think your petition and newspaper article has stirred them up a bit.’ He folded his arms and levelled his gaze at her. ‘You’re a quick worker, I’ll give you that.’

  She raised her chin defiantly. ‘I am if I need to be. It’s important that the tree is saved.’

  ‘I get that you feel that.’

  Suddenly Sweetie squeezed between his legs and jumped up to Lexi.

  Lexi stooped down to make a fuss of her. ‘Hello, darling,’ she cooed, picking her up.

  ‘I’m not sure that it was the wisest thing to get the press involved, but at least you didn’t mention us,’ Joel said, still bristling. ‘That would have cost us the contract and put us on the council blacklist.’