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

by Karen King

  ‘Me too,’ Joel agreed. ‘Mind you, taking down the decorations from the tree tomorrow should get rid of any extra calories we’ve put on.’

  ‘I heard you telling Joel that you’re staying until New Year, Lexi? If you both have time perhaps you could pop in and meet Rocco and his family.’ Lloyd put the plate down on the table. ‘It’s thanks to you two that he’s back in my life.’

  ‘It’s Joel who found him . . .’ said Lexi.

  ‘And you who persuaded me to . . .’ said Joel.

  ‘I’d love to meet them, I’ll definitely try to pop in, I could go home later on Sunday, it’s only a couple of hours drive,’ Lexi told Lloyd. It wouldn’t take her long to sort out the remaining lesson plans. And to be honest, she wasn’t looking forward to going back to her empty flat. Not after spending all this time with her family. The empty side of the bed, the empty side of the wardrobe, they were all reminders that Ben had gone.

  And good riddance.

  Yes, she knew that she was better off without Ben, and had realised as soon as she’d seen him today that she had no feelings for him. If she had loved him, and she seriously doubted it now, then she certainly didn’t any longer. But it had been nice to live with someone, to have company, someone to share things with.

  You don’t need anyone. You’re fine on your own. And you have friends you can share things with.

  ‘So will I. What time are you expecting Rocco on New Year’s Day?’ asked Joel.

  ‘After lunch. So, you’ve got time to recover if you have a wild New Year’s Eve,’ he said with a grin. ‘About three be okay for you both?’

  ‘Sounds good to me,’ said Lexi.

  ‘Me too,’ Joel agreed. He winked at Lexi. ‘Is there a wild New Year’s Eve party we can go to?’

  ‘Yep, there’s one at the Olde Tavern,’ she said, cutting off a bit of the cake with her fork. ‘We’re all planning on going to it. Join us if you want. Both of you.’ She looked at Lloyd.

  ‘Mabe’s already asked me. I think I will pop along.’

  Lexi and Joel exchanged a knowing glance. Granny Mabe was determined to get Lloyd out of his house and introduce him to the village social life.

  ‘Don’t look like that. Me and Mabe are merely good friends. Like you two,’ he added mischievously. ‘Now, it’s good to see you, Joel, but did you pop around to see me or was there something you wanted?’

  ‘Yes, I’ve come to drop off my spare key so that you can check on Sweetie tomorrow for me.’

  Lloyd clapped his forehead with his hand. ‘Ah, of course. She can stay with me for the afternoon, I’ve no plans to go back out again.’

  ‘Thanks. I really appreciate it.’ Joel turned to Lexi. ‘Andy’s arriving at ten with the platform. Would you be able to come and help get the yarn-bombing off the tree then?’

  ‘No problem. Should we ask Gran and her friends, too, or do you prefer to do it ourselves?’

  ‘I think we’d be quicker by ourselves. We can put it all in a bag and you can give it to your gran, perhaps?’

  ‘Sure. I’ll see you on the green at ten, then.’ She finished her cake. She was ridiculously pleased to be spending more time with Joel. He’s a good friend, that’s all, she told herself.

  ‘I shall miss you when you return home after the weekend,’ Lloyd told her. ‘I hope you call in to see me next time you visit your family.’

  ‘I will, I promise,’ she told him. She hadn’t been able to come down and see her family often in the last year or so, not with the restrictions, but she intended to make up for that.

  And maybe she’d even bump into Joel now and again. The thought made her feel warm and happy.

  Chapter Thirty-four

  They all went out for a family meal that evening to celebrate their wonderful Christmas. Jay and Sonia were leaving early in the morning to do a bit of sightseeing, whilst Ryan and Nell were going home in the afternoon as they had to go to work the next day.

  ‘I’m so glad that we managed to all get together,’ Jay said. ‘It’s been a brilliant Christmas. And I’m looking forward to us all seeing in New Year together. Mum said that you’re staying over too, sis?’ he said to Lexi.

  ‘Yes. I’ve got nothing to rush back to and it would be good to spend a few more days down here.’

  ‘Mind, me and your dad don’t fancy coming out to the pub, so we’ll look after Toby for you, Jay,’ their mum offered. ‘You and Sonia have a good time.’

  ‘That would be wonderful,’ Sonia said. ‘If you’re sure you don’t mind.’

  ‘Of course we don’t, it’s lovely to spend time with our little grandson.’

  ‘Are you going back Sunday or Monday?’ Jay asked Lexi.

  ‘Sunday, but not until later on the afternoon. I’ve still got a bit of work to prepare before school opens. I’ve got a knitting project to finish, too, but there’s no rush for that.’

  ‘Maybe you can start a yarn-bombing knitting group in Gloucester,’ Granny Mabe suggested.

  ‘I think one militant in the family is enough,’ Craig retorted. ‘Your gran’s even got herself a new boyfriend, by the sound of it. Her and Lloyd are getting to be quite an item. Especially if they’re seeing New Year in together.’

  Granny Mabe rapped her spoon on his wrist. ‘That’s enough cheek, young man. I’m still your mother, you know.’

  Everyone laughed.

  It was a fun evening. Little Toby was exhausted by the time they got home, and Sonia took him straight up to bed. ‘I think I’m going to turn in myself, we’ve got a long journey tomorrow,’ she said, stifling a yawn.

  ‘Me too,’ Jay agreed, swigging the last of his coffee and standing up. ‘Night, everyone. See you in the morning.’

  Lexi had to admit that she was tired, too. She was glad she’d decided not to go home yet. It would be good to see New Year in with her family. And to spend a bit more time with Joel, now they had sorted things out. He was turning out to be a good friend.

  She switched off the light and settled down to sleep, but her mind kept replaying that Boxing Day kiss, and the warmth in Joel’s eyes when she had told him she was staying until New Year. She was going to miss him. Would he miss her?

  Jay, Sonia and Toby were gone by nine the next morning, and shortly afterwards Lexi headed straight for the green. Joel and Andy were already there, and the lights had been taken off the tree. ‘Did you two get here at the crack of dawn?’ Lexi asked, suppressing a yawn. Despite being exhausted when she went to bed, she hadn’t slept very well, thoughts of Joel occupying her mind far too much. ‘I thought you said to be here for ten.’

  ‘For you, yes, but we got here at nine,’ Joel told her. ‘I wanted to get the lights down before you arrived. Then I could take the yarn-bombs down from higher up the tree, and you and Andy can do the bottom.’

  Lexi knew that a lot of people were back at work today. ‘Do you think someone from the council might check on the tree today?’ she asked.

  ‘I wouldn’t put it past them. There’s been some pictures on social media, and the local paper has run a report about the carol service, so the council will be aware we decorated the tree. If I can get it down today, I think they might be okay about it. I don’t want any bad feeling that could affect us working with them again.’

  Lexi remembered how disapproving of the yarn-bombings the man and the woman she’d seen when she first arrived had been. Would they inform the council? She didn’t want Andy and Joel to get into trouble when they’d been so kind as to decorate the tree for them.

  ‘We’ll have it all down in no time,’ she said and immediately set to work taking off the festive woollen baubles from the bottom branches of the tree. They were wet, because of the snow, and difficult to take off, she could understand what Joel meant when he said that yarn-bombing tree trunks could damage them. Andy was taking the knitted baubles off the other side of the tree, while Joel was on the platform taking them off the higher branches. It was a slow process.

  ‘Here, let me give you a h
and with that. After all, we’re responsible for it.’ It was Granny Mabe, walking across the green towards them. ‘I’ll get some more help, too.’ She took her phone from her bag and made a couple of phone calls. Then she marched over to the tree and started taking off some of the knitted baubles on the opposite side of the tree to Lexi whilst Andy joined Joel on the platform.

  Within ten minutes, half a dozen of the Yarn Warriors arrived, carrying big plastic boxes. ‘We can put the baubles in here,’ one of them said. They all set to work, and soon the tree was bare again. Lexi was pleased to see that they had also taken the yarn-wrappings off the lamp posts.

  ‘Thanks again for putting lights on the tree for us, and helping us to decorate it,’ one of the women said to Joel and Andy. Then they picked up the boxes of grubby, wet knitted baubles and carried them away.

  ‘I’ve got to be off, too, mate. See you again soon.’ Andy hitched the platform to the back of his truck and was off.

  Lexi put her hands in her pockets and studied the now-bare Christmas tree. She always hated this part, when the Christmas decorations were taken down and everything looked dull again. ‘Do you think the council will still chop the tree down?’ she asked.

  ‘I’ve no idea. It depends how much they want to build the houses here,’ Joel replied. ‘Maybe now the council have seen how much the tree means to the villagers, they might reconsider.’

  ‘We have to keep fighting it. I’ll still continue with my petition, even when I go back home. And I’m sure my parents and other folk will, too,’ Lexi said.

  ‘Are other village events held on the green?’ Joel asked. ‘It would help if we could show the council that it’s an important part of village life.’

  That was a good idea, Lexi thought. ‘There was when I was a child. I remember the summer fayre, and picnics. I’ll ask my parents tonight – they’ll know. I’ve lost touch a bit.’

  ‘Has it been good to be in the village again? Do you miss living here?’ Joel asked.

  Lexi thought about it. She had loved living in Lystone as a child, although, as a teenager, she had found it boring and couldn’t wait to get away. She’d enjoyed being with her family again this past week or so, being involved in the village community and meeting Joel. However, she loved her life in Gloucester, too, and the school she taught in. ‘I don’t think I’d like to live here again’ she said finally. ‘I’ve really enjoyed my visit, though, and intend to come down and see my folks more often. What about you?’ she asked, suddenly remembering about his parents in Scotland. ‘Do you visit your parents much?’

  ‘No, they’re busy, working all hours in A&E,’ he told her. ‘They’re doctors so they’re usually working all over Christmas too,’ he added.

  That could explain why Joel wasn’t so big on Christmas. She had dismissed him as a grouch, when really he had probably had his childhood Christmases overshadowed by his parents working flat out at the hospital.

  ‘Then I think I owe you an apology,’ she said.

  Joel raised an eyebrow. ‘For what?’

  ‘For lambasting you for not having enough Christmas spirit when your Christmases were probably ruined by people who had too much Christmas spirit – as in alcohol!’

  He grinned. ‘Yes, my folk were always on duty Christmas Day, so Hazel and I were sent to my grandparents. They gave us a wonderful Christmas, but I did resent my parents not being there when I was younger. As I grew older, I just didn’t think it worth bothering about. I’ve enjoyed Christmas this year, thanks to you. Although, I don’t think I will ever be as –’ he paused as if searching for the correct word – ‘enthusiastic about it as your parents.’

  ‘Fanatical, you mean.’ Lexi laughed. ‘I guess they are over the top.’

  ‘Anyway, if you really are sorry, you can make amends by joining me in the Olde Tavern for lunch,’ Joel told her. ‘The job I was going to do this afternoon has been postponed until next week.’

  ‘I’d love that,’ Lexi replied.

  ‘One thirty be okay?’ he asked. ‘I need to get this equipment home and take a shower.’

  ‘Perfect,’ Lexi told him. She could do with another shower, too, she felt a bit mucky after handling all those wet woolly baubles and wanted to change into something a bit prettier than the chunky jumper and jeans she was wearing.

  When she got back home, Ryan and Nell were about to leave. ‘We were going to stop off at the green and say goodbye to you,’ Ryan said, holding out his arms to hug her.

  ‘I’m a bit grubby,’ she warned him.

  He put his arm around her shoulder and kissed her on the cheek. ‘I don’t care. See you on Friday.’

  Nell obviously did care, as she stepped back and blew Lexi a kiss instead.

  ‘See you on Friday,’ Lexi told them.

  The house felt empty when they had gone. Their parents were at work and Granny Mabe was out. Funny how quickly she’d got used to a houseful of people, she thought, as she went upstairs to have a shower and get changed. Her little flat would seem so quiet when she went home.. Well, she’d get used to it. Her days would be full once school reopened on Tuesday, and there would be lesson planning and marking to do in the evenings, plus her knitting. Ben had hardly been home the past couple of months anyway.

  You’re better off without him, she told herself as she stripped off and got into the shower.

  When she came back into the bedroom, she saw a message on her phone. It was from Fern. She quickly read it. ‘How’s things, hun?’ Gosh, she hadn’t even told Fern about Ben showing up yesterday and proposing to her! And she didn’t have time to chat now. She was meeting Joel in half an hour. She sent a quick reply saying everything was fine and she would phone Fern later, then she selected a long cream V-neck sweater with three buttons on the sleeves and a scalloped edge, which she had knitted and designed herself, and a pair of port-wine-coloured skinnies, which she tucked into black-suede thigh-high boots. She pulled on a port-wine fedora and studied her reflection. Edgy but casual, she thought approvingly. Grabbing a black suede shoulder bag she shoved her purse, phone, tissues, lipstick and car keys inside it and set off.

  A message pinged in and she saw it was from Joel.

  Just arrived. Want me to get you a drink in?

  Shandy, please. Leaving now, she texted back.

  Joel was already sitting at a table by the window when she arrived. He waved and stood up, so she went over to join him, and pulled up the chair opposite. ‘How’s Sweetie?’

  ‘Brilliant. I actually got to sleep in bed by myself last night. She never disturbed me once,’ he told her. ‘She’s with Lloyd now.’

  ‘That’s great.’ Lexi took a sip of her shandy. ‘I think you’re getting fond of her, aren’t you?’

  ‘I am,’ he admitted. ‘I like dogs, but I’ve never had one – my grandparents had a few on the farm, but my parents were always too busy, and so was I. I think I’d quite like one when I get my own place. A lot of the time, I could take a dog to work with me, if it was well-trained. I’m not always chopping down trees,’ he added.

  ‘I was thinking of getting a cat. Like you, I’m out all day so it wouldn’t be fair to leave a dog cooped up in the flat, but a cat’s different and I could get a litter tray. The trouble is, I was thinking of coming down to spend the weekend with my parents more often, and that would be awkward with a cat.’

  Joel nodded. ‘It’s a problem, isn’t it?’ He cradled his glass thoughtfully. ‘I guess you’re going to miss your family when you go back.’

  ‘I am. And I’m hoping that Ben doesn’t make a pest of himself. That’s one of the reasons I stayed down here a bit longer, to make sure he gets the message that I don’t want anything more to do with him.’

  Joel looked concerned. ‘Are you worried that he’ll harass you?’

  She bit her lip. ‘A bit. He’d been messaging me a lot, and I can’t believe he came down like that and proposed.’ She shook her head. ‘I’ve blocked him now, and as I rejected his proposal he’s hopefully fi
nally accepted that we’re over.’

  ‘I had the same with Toni,’ Joel told her. ‘Our Decree Absolute is due to come through any day, but last week she asked me to meet her urgently. I thought it was something to do with the divorce, but she said she wanted me back. It had all been a mistake, she said, and she still loved me.’

  Lexi felt her heart skip a beat. Was he getting back with his ex? ‘What did you say?’

  ‘I told her we were over, and there was no going back. Then she confessed the guy she’d left me for had dumped her.’ His eyes met hers and she could see the empathy in them. ‘Seems like our exes both think we’re mugs.’

  She nodded. ‘Well, if it’s taught me one thing, it’s that I’m not putting anyone else first again. From now on, I’m going to live my life for me.’

  Joel raised his glass. ‘I’ll drink to that.’

  Chapter Thirty-five

  Wednesday

  ‘Come on, Sweetie. We’re going out!’ Joel called, holding out the lead. The little dog wagged her tail happily and trotted over to him. It was good to be able to take her with him today instead of leaving her at home. Last night, Lexi had suggested a sightseeing trip, and as he had no work lined up, he’d taken her up on it, seizing the chance to find out more about the area he was thinking of making his permanent home. Lexi had offered to do the driving, pointing out that her car was more comfortable than his van, and that Sweetie would be fine on the back seat in a restraint. He was looking forward to it. Although, if he was truthful, he’d rather be doing the driving; he’d heard too many tales of fatal driving accidents from his parents to be comfortable with anyone else driving him around – and he’d had a frightening near miss when he’d been in the car with Toni and she was arguing at him. He’d taken his mind off the road for a split second as she railed at him, but luckily had turned back in time to see the car that had spun around the bend out of nowhere and had taken action. The memory still made him shudder. If Toni had been driving, he knew that they would have crashed and there would have been nothing he could have done to avoid it. Which is why he had always insisted on doing the driving when they both went anywhere after that, but that suited Toni, though, as she could then have a drink. Lexi isn’t Toni, he reminded himself, and anyway, most of the snow and ice had gone now, so the roads were perfectly safe.