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

by Karen King

  ‘Hooray!’ The watching crowd cheered and clapped.

  He switched off the lights and turned to watch as they all walked over the green towards the tree.

  It was Joel. He greeted Lexi with a big grin. ‘Like it? I was just testing that they worked. I’ll keep them off now until the lighting-up ceremony.’

  ‘How did you manage to get permission off the council to do this?’ she said. She guessed that Joel and Andy had offered to put on the lights because the council employees were off work now.

  ‘I didn’t. I sort of took it upon myself. The tree is safe, the lights are outdoor ones and I’ve got a generator. I can’t keep them on here for long, just a few days, but I didn’t like to think of you all having your carol service around a bare, unlit tree.’

  ‘Well, that’s splendid, young man, splendid,’ Granny Mabe told him, patting his arm.

  Joel suddenly became aware of the crowd of people. ‘What are you all doing here anyway?’

  ‘We came to yarn-bomb the tree,’ Granny Mabe said. ‘We thought that if the council weren’t going to decorate it for us, then we’d decorate it ourselves.’

  ‘We can still do it, can’t we?’ someone asked. ‘It’d be nice to have a few baubles and things on the branches as well as those lovely lights.’

  Andy and Joel looked at each other.

  ‘Yarn-bombing is illegal,’ Joel said.

  ‘I’m pretty sure those lights you’ve just put up are, too,’ Granny Mabe told him firmly.

  Joel shot Lexi a glance and she grinned. Granny Mabe had him there.

  ‘Okay, but only on three conditions.’

  They all waited.

  ‘You promise not to wrap anything around the tree. Tree-wrapping can lead to disease and insect problems. Second, you agree to me taking down the baubles Tuesday at the latest, and third, you only do the lower branches. Me and Andy will hang the stuff higher up. Agreed?’

  ‘Agreed!’ they all chorused.

  ‘We had brought a stepladder with us, but your platform looks more useful,’ Granny Mabe said, handing Joel a box of knitted baubles. ‘Hang these on, will you, dear?’

  It was such a cheerful afternoon. While Joel hung the colourful knitted baubles high up the tree, Lexi, Andy and the others hung them on the lower branches. They also wrapped the gold-and-silver glittery squares that had been stitched together in a long scarf around the nearby lamp posts. It all looked very jolly and festive.

  Word was spreading around the village that the tree was being decorated, and more and more people arrived, wrapped in their coats, scarves and mittens, to watch. Lloyd had joined them, too.

  ‘What time does your carol service usually start?’ Joel asked Granny Mabe.

  ‘Six thirty,’ she told him. She turned to the crowd that had gathered. ‘Light up time will be at six thirty, followed by the carol service. Spread the word! Let’s have as many come as we can. Remember, the tree has only been saved temporarily. It might still be cut down in the new year. A big turnout could convince the council not to do that.’

  Cheers and clapping greeted this remark. Then people crowded around Joel and Andy, patting them both on their backs and thanking them, before going home.

  ‘Thanks so much for helping with this,’ Lexi told Andy.

  ‘I wouldn’t miss it for the world. I’m going to bring my missus and kids to the carol service tonight, so I’d better get off.’ He turned to Lexi. ‘There’s just one thing, though.’

  ‘Yes?’

  ‘How did you manage to convince Christmas-is-no-big-deal Joel to do all this?’

  ‘I have no idea.’ She was completely stunned herself. ‘But I’m glad he’s finally found his festive spirit.’

  Chapter Twenty-six

  Jay, Sonia and Toby were already back from their sightseeing drive when Lexi and Granny Mabe returned home. Then, a few minutes later, Ryan and Nell arrived. There were lots of hugs as they all greeted each other and the brothers introduced their partners.

  ‘What was all that going on at the green?’ Ryan asked, when the greetings were over. ‘We saw a crowd gathered there when we drove past. Is it to do with the carol service tonight? I’ve been telling Nell all about it.’

  ‘I’m really looking forward to going,’ Nell said.

  Lexi filled them in about the latest events, with Granny Mabe adding a bit now and again, finishing with how they had gone over to yarn-bomb the tree and found Joel and Andy putting up the lights.

  Lexi’s parents were dumbfounded. ‘You’re one of the yarn-bombers, Ma? I thought you were knitting blankets?’ her dad said incredulously.

  ‘You do know you can get fined, don’t you?’ her mum looked concerned.

  ‘They’ve got to catch me first,’ Granny Mabe said with a grin.

  Ryan and Jay both burst out laughing. ‘Granny the rebel!’ Ryan said. ‘I can’t believe it!’

  ‘Well, I think it’s a lovely thing to do,’ Nell butted in. ‘I love yarn-bombing. It really brightens up the place. And this Joel sounds very kind.’

  They all chatted for a while, exchanging news, then Granny Mabe made some of her ‘special’ dumplings and popped them into the stew that she and Paula had prepared that morning and had been cooking in the slow-cooker all day. Half an hour later, they all sat down to eat. They’d decided to have their meal early, as Toby would be too tired to eat after the carol service.

  ‘This is delicious,’ Jay said. ‘I’ve missed your stews, Mum, and Granny’s dumplings.’

  ‘Me too,’ Ryan agreed, helping himself to another dumpling from the stew pot in the middle of the table. ‘You must give us the recipe so we can make some ourselves.’

  ‘I will not. Those dumplings have a special ingredient in them and I won’t be divulging what it is until I’m dead.’

  This remark was met with a roar of laughter.

  ‘You can’t tell us when you’re dead, Granny!’ Jay reminded her.

  ‘I’ve written it down and sealed it in an envelope which is not to be opened until after my funeral. And only Paula and Craig can know it.’

  ‘We’ll be old men before it’s passed on to us,’ Ryan said to Jay.

  ‘We’ll ply her with wine tomorrow and she’ll tell us then,’ Jay replied.

  ‘Trying to get your poor old Granny drunk so you can prise secrets from her.’ Granny Mabe tutted, shaking her head in mock-disapproval. ‘So, this is how they treat the elderly nowadays.’

  ‘Elderly!’ Jay spluttered. ‘If we dared to call you that, you’d give us a clip around the ear.’

  Lexi smiled as she listened to the banter between her brothers and her gran, remembering the times Granny Mabe had done just that for some misdeed they’d done, or for cheeking her. She loved being back with her family, and was so pleased that they’d all managed to get together for Christmas.

  ‘If the lighting-up ceremony is at six thirty, we need to get going,’ Paula said when the meal was finished. ‘Have you sorted out the inflatables and lanterns, Craig?’

  ‘They’re all in the boot of the car,’ he told her.

  Craig, Paula and Granny Mabe went in the car, but Lexi and the others walked, Jay carrying Toby when he got tired. The little boy loved looking at all the Christmas decorations in the houses they passed. When they arrived at the green, Craig and Paula had added the Forde’s contribution of an inflatable snowman and Santa, a big Santa on a sleigh, and several lanterns, to the decorations already around the tree, and it looked really festive.

  Quite a crowd had gathered by now, all wrapped up in thick coats, scarves and gloves, rubbing their hands and stamping their feet as the cold night air bit through them. Lloyd came over to join in and was greeted warmly by Granny Mabe and her crowd. A couple of people came with musical instruments – an accordion and a trumpet – and someone else handed out carol sheets. The atmosphere was building.

  ‘It looks like it might be cold enough for snow,’ Ryan said.

  ‘Oh, I wish it would. A white Christmas would be
perfect,’ Lexi said, wrapping her scarf tighter around her neck. She checked her watch. Twenty past six. She had thought that Joel might come a little earlier. And there was no sign of Andy yet.

  Then she saw Joel hurrying over the green, Sweetie on a lead beside him. ‘Sorry, Sweetie refused to be left, so I had to bring her,’ he said. He looked around. ‘Is Andy here yet?’

  Lexi shook her head. ‘Want me to hold Sweetie while you turn on the lights?’ she asked.

  ‘Thanks.’ Joel passed the lead over to her.

  ‘It’s six thirty!’ someone shouted.

  ‘Can we hang on a few more minutes, please? The man who helped me do all this is on his way to join in the carol service. I don’t want to do it without him.’

  There was a chorus of yes. People were chatting to each other and the minutes were ticking by. Lexi looked at her watch. Twenty to seven.

  ‘Here he is!’ Joel shouted as Andy walked over the green with a woman and two young children.

  There was a cheer and Andy bowed. ‘Sorry, folks, someone hid my car keys.’ He pointed to his little daughter who looked a bit guilty.

  This was greeted by laughter.

  Finally, Andy was by Joel’s side, his two children next to him. Joel called Toby over, too, and the children pressed the switch to turn on the lights. There was a cheer as the Christmas tree blazed alight.

  ‘Merry Christmas!’ everyone shouted.

  Then Craig stepped forward. ‘First, can we give a big round of applause to Joel and Andy for saving our carol service.’

  ‘And Lexi, she was the one who persuaded me,’ Joel said.

  Lloyd took Sweetie from Lexi and gently pushed her forward to join Joel and Andy. Then everyone clapped and cheered. Lexi felt her cheeks go hot, but wasn’t sure whether it was because Joel had his arm around her shoulder or because she felt a bit awkward at being the centre of attention.

  Then her dad raised his hands. ‘And now, let’s start with our first carol. Number three on the carol sheet. “Ding Dong Merrily on High!”’

  Everyone sung at the top of their voices, accompanied by the accordion and trumpet players.

  As Lexi joined in, looking at the happy crowd, the sparkling tree, and all her family together, she thought that she had never felt happier.

  Joel caught her look and smiled at her. Impulsively, she gave him a hug. ‘Thank you,’ she said, wrapping her arms around him and kissing him on the cheek. ‘You’ve saved Christmas for us all.’

  Chapter Twenty-seven

  As the carol singers started a rendition of ‘O Little Town of Bethlehem’, Lexi stepped away from Joel quickly, embarrassed. She hadn’t meant to kiss him, the excitement of them being able to have the traditional Christmas carol service had got the better of her. She went over to join her family, who were all singing with gusto. Her mum, her dad, Jay, Sonia with Toby in her arms, gazing in awe at the tree, Ryan and Nell, their arms around each other’s waists, Granny Mabe and Lloyd, chatting away like old friends. Ben should have been here, too. She wondered briefly what he was doing. Stop thinking about him, she told herself. You’re over him.

  The Christmas tree lights twinkled and sparkled as they sang one carol after another, then, as they started the chorus of ‘Hark! The Herald Angels Sing’, a flutter of snowflakes started to fall.

  ‘It’s snowing!’ someone shouted.

  Lexi turned her face up to the sky, and let the soft flakes fall on her skin. Snow. Now Christmas really would be perfect.

  They sang louder, now, and the snow fell faster and faster. By the time the carol service had finished, the snow had covered the ground.

  ‘Merry Christmas!’ rang out the shouts of the carollers. ‘Merry Christmas!’

  ‘Right, who’s coming on to the pub?’ someone shouted out.

  Jay looked down at Toby, who he had taken off Sonia a little while ago and was already fast asleep in his arms. ‘I think I’ll give it a miss, this little lad needs his bed. You go, though,’ he told Sonia, but she shook her head. ‘I’m ready for a hot chocolate and bed.’

  Ryan and Nell said they were ready to go home, too, and Lexi decided to join them. It wasn’t often the whole family was together for Christmas Eve, and she wanted to make the most of it.

  ‘Thank you again for doing this. And everything else,’ she told Joel. Then she delved into her bag. ‘I’ve got a little something for Sweetie tomorrow. I hope you don’t mind,’ she said, handing the squeaky toy that she’d wrapped earlier to him.

  Joel looked surprised. ‘Thanks. That’s very kind of you.’

  ‘I guess it’s time for us to leave, too,’ Lexi’s father said. He turned to Lloyd, who was talking to Granny Mabe. ‘Look forward to seeing you on Boxing Day, Lloyd.’

  ‘Me too. I can’t thank you enough for the invite.’ Lloyd patted Granny Mabe’s mittened hand. ‘It’s been a pleasure to meet you all. A real pleasure.’

  ‘Would you like us to walk home with you? It’s a bit slippery underfoot,’ Jay offered.

  ‘Don’t worry, I live by Lloyd,’ Joel said. ‘I’ll make sure he gets home safely. We’re spending Christmas Day together, too.’

  Lexi was pleased that they wouldn’t both be alone. It was good to think that Lloyd would still have Joel when she’d gone back home, as well. And hopefully his son would come and visit him, too, some time over the Christmas period.

  ‘We’ll see you both on Boxing Day,’ Paula said. ‘Any time after two. And please don’t bring anything with you. We have plenty to go around.’

  Joel nodded. ‘I look forward to it.’

  ‘Merry Christmas!’ they all called as they walked away.

  ‘Merry Christmas!’ Joel shouted back, his eyes seeking Lexi’s.

  She held his gaze and smiled at him. Then she turned and walked away.

  ‘What a lovely evening,’ Sonia said, as she and Jay walked home hand in hand. Toby was already asleep on Jay’s shoulder. ‘It’s a wonderful start to Christmas, isn’t it?’

  Ryan and Nell both linked their arms through Lexi’s. ‘You okay, sis? I know it’s rubbish that you’ve split up with Ben right before Christmas,’ said Ryan.

  Lexi smiled at him. ‘It’s fine, spending Christmas with you all more than makes up for it.’

  ‘If you ask me, you’re well rid of him anyway,’ Nell said. ‘Now, that Joel really is something . . .’

  ‘Hey, what are you doing, lusting after other men?’ Ryan said teasingly.

  Nell blew him a kiss. ‘I’m happy with you, but a Christmas romance might be just what Lexi needs to get over her cheating ex.’

  ‘I’ve got no intention of having a romance with anyone, thanks, my heart is a man-free zone,’ Lexi told her.

  She had to admit, though, she was glad Joel was coming over for Boxing Day. He’d become a good friend, and she enjoyed his company.

  As she walked back through the streets, twinkling with sparkling Christmas lights, alongside Jay and Sonia, Ryan and Nell, Lexi couldn’t help feeling a little bit sad and lonely, everyone was paired up and happy, except for her. This was supposed to be her first Christmas with Ben. A special Christmas for both of them.

  And until a week ago, she had thought that her and Ben had a future together. How wrong she had been.

  Joel linked arms with Lloyd as they walked home together, his mind on a woman with long honey-brown hair, dark-brown eyes and a smile that lit up her face. Lexi. She had waltzed into his life, bringing her love of life and Christmas sparkle with her, and somehow he had got caught along with it all.

  ‘Would you like to come in for a tot?’ Lloyd asked. ‘I’ve got some brandy in.’ He glanced down at the little dog. ‘And some treats for Sweetie.’

  Why not? Joel thought. He could sense that the old man wanted some company, and if he was honest, he didn’t want to go back to an empty house either. Especially a house that wasn’t his. He still felt very much a lodger there. ‘That would be lovely, thank you.’

  They sat, chatting and drinking brandy
in Lloyd’s lounge, with the lights from the Christmas tree sparkling, while Sweetie gobbled up her treats. Then the little dog fell asleep on the sofa besides Joel.

  ‘I haven’t had company for Christmas for a long time,’ Lloyd said as he took a sip of his brandy. ‘I didn’t mind either, I got used to it. Told myself that Christmas was just like any other day, but it isn’t, is it? And Lexi, she’s reminded me of that. Christmas is a special time, it’s for friends and family.’ He looked over the rim of his glass. ‘I’ve decided that I’m going to find Rocco and make it up with him for next Christmas. I should never have let this rift between us go on for so long. What does it matter, who’s right or who’s wrong? We’re family.’

  Should he tell him that he’d found Rocco? Joel thought. But maybe the fact that his son knew he wanted to see him but hadn’t been in touch would hurt him. I’ll leave it until New Year, he decided. Maybe Rocco might get in contact. If not, I’ll give Lloyd the number of his company and let him take it from there.

  ‘That sounds a great idea,’ he told him.

  ‘So, how about you? Are you intending to stay in Lystone when Hazel and Al come back, or is it just a stopgap for you?’

  Joel swished his brandy around in his glass for a moment, thinking about his answer. ‘I don’t know,’ he said. ‘It was just temporary but I’m not sure now.’ He found himself telling Lloyd about his divorce and how he had come down here to try and sort himself out. ‘To be honest, I was at a loose end. I’d got to that stage in my life where I wanted to do something different. So, I seized on the chance to housesit for Hazel, and I’ve only been here for a couple of weeks but already the village is growing on me. I could see myself making a home here.’

  ‘There’s something about Lystone that wraps its arms around you and makes you want to stay. It was the same with me and Ruby. We loved it as soon as we set foot in the place. And we had such a good life; when we retired, we were out and about on day excursions, we were so happy together we didn’t need anyone else. Then, when she died, I was bereft and lonely. Ruby had been my world. I had no idea what to do without her. Rocco tried to persuade me to move, but I couldn’t. I feel like while I’m here, Ruby is still with me in a way. Rocco told me I needed to live again. We had an argument. I yelled at him that he might be able to forget his mum and carry on with his life but I couldn’t.’ Lloyd’s eyes filled with tears and he took another sip of his brandy. ‘He said if that’s how I felt, he was going. I told him not to come back.’ His eyes were filled with sadness as they rested on Joel. ‘I shouldn’t have said that. It was grief talking, but still, I shouldn’t have said it. I kept thinking that I would contact him, tell him I was sorry, but I kept putting it off. As the weeks turned into months, and then years, it seemed too late. Besides, I don’t even know if he has the same phone number or if he’s moved house.’