A Merry Little Christmas

by Julia Williams

  ‘I’ve decided to stay on,’ said Mel. ‘Mum and Dad say they’ll help with Louise, and then I’ll see if I can still go to uni.’

  ‘That’s wonderful,’ said Marianne. ‘So you’re not going to give her up after all.’

  ‘I couldn’t,’ admitted Mel. ‘Once she was here, I fell in love.’

  ‘Babies have a way of doing that to you,’ said Marianne.

  ‘That was amazing, again,’ Pippa came bounding over to see them all. ‘What time do you want us tomorrow?’

  ‘Say twelve?’ said Marianne.

  ‘Marianne,’ Steven came up and tugged her shoulder, ‘have we got room for one more?’

  Eve was standing looking shamefaced beside him.

  ‘Of course,’ said Marianne. ‘What about Darren?’

  ‘We’ve split up,’ said Eve. ‘Turns out he wasn’t very interested in Steven, and didn’t like coming up here all the time. So …’

  ‘You’re going to be on your own for Christmas,’ said Marianne. ‘Of course you can come to us.’

  ‘Sounds like you’ve got a houseful,’ laughed Cat.

  ‘Why don’t you come too?’ said Marianne. ‘Thanks to Batty Jack, I’ve got the biggest turkey in Hope Christmas.’

  ‘What, all of us?’ said Cat.

  ‘Come on, you probably don’t want to be cooking Christmas dinner tomorrow with a newborn in the house, do you?’

  ‘Actually, we’ve been so topsy-turvy this year,’ admitted Cat, ‘I haven’t even got a proper turkey in. I was going to get a crown roast out of the freezer tonight.’

  ‘Well that’s settled then,’ said Marianne. ‘This Christmas is on me. And it’s going to be the best ever.’

  Mel

  FACEBOOK status OMG I’m a MUM!!!! Louise Catherine Tinsall born 5pm 21 December 5bs 12 oz.

  Jen17: WOW. Congratulations

  Josh: Bloody hell. Well done.

  Ellie: That’s fab

  Jen17: A baby at Christmas. That’s so cute

  Kaz: WHEN CAN I SEE HER???

  Chas: Wow.

  Mel: Thanks everyone. Can’t believe how amazing it feels.

  Andy: Congrats Mel. Happy Christmas.

  Mel: You too. You can see her if you like.

  Andy: And your dad won’t kill me?

  Mel: BBM ME PRIVATE CHATS NOW!!!!

  Teenage Kicks

  I had no idea it was going to be like this. From the moment I held the Babe I just knew I had to look after her and protect her. Even the Boy has been to see her. Apparently he’s moving away soon. He says he’ll keep in touch, but I don’t think I believe him. I don’t care anymore though. I’ve got Mum and Dad, and now Louise. Everything I want in life is right here. She’s the best Christmas present ever.

  Epilogue

  ‘Come on in,’ said Gabriel as the Tinsalls squeezed themselves into the house, shaking the snow off their boots. Magically, they’d woken up to discover it had snowed in the night. ‘Everyone’s in the lounge.’

  They divested themselves of boots and coats and followed Gabriel into the crowded lounge, dominated by an eight-foot-high Christmas tree in the corner, which was practically touching the ceiling, and seemingly dozens of people, talking animatedly.

  ‘Mulled wine anyone?’

  ‘Sounds perfect,’ said Cat, happily accepting a glass.

  ‘Marianne will be in in a minute,’ said Gabriel, ‘slight turkey crisis.’

  ‘Does she need any help?’ asked Cat.

  ‘No, she does not,’ retorted Marianne, emerging red-faced from the kitchen, sporting a Santa hat, and an apron saying Santa’s Little Helper, over a sexy black cocktail dress. She looked stunning.

  ‘Merry Christmas everyone. Let me introduce you to everyone.’

  Marianne’s mother nearly fainted when she finally met Cat. ‘I love your recipes,’ she said. ‘I can’t believe I’ve actually met you. You’re even prettier than you are on the telly.’

  ‘That’s very nice of you,’ said Cat, and proceeded to try and prove that really she was quite normal.

  ‘This is my son, Matthew,’ said Jenny, who was looking slightly flushed from one too many sherries, ‘and his partner Marcus.’

  ‘Mum!’ Marianne nearly dropped her glass in shock.

  ‘You knew?’ Matthew was looking stunned and wide eyed.

  ‘Of course I knew,’ said Jenny. ‘What, did you all think I was stupid or something?’

  ‘Er no,’ said Marcus, ‘we’re just a bit surprised.’

  ‘You’re a lovely boy, Marcus,’ said Jenny raising her glass to him, ‘so when are you going to make an honest man of my son? I do like a good wedding.’

  After that bombshell nothing could possibly go wrong, Marianne felt. And so it proved. The room was buzzing with a sense of fun and excited chatter. Various of the children disappeared to Steven’s room to watch TV, Paige had enthusiastically taken charge of the twins, Marcus and Matthew were talking football with Steven, Pippa was sitting in the corner with Lucy, pulling crackers, and telling each other jokes. Even Eve was unexpectedly getting on really well with Marianne’s dad, while Noel, beer in hand, was busy extolling the virtues of being a granddad to Gabriel’s parents.

  ‘It’s great,’ he said, ‘I hear the baby crying and I have no guilt whatsoever about not getting up in the night.’

  ‘Funny that that isn’t a granny reaction, isn’t it?’ Cat nudged him in the ribs.

  Mel, shyly showing Louise off, was the centre of attention. And Louise was the perfect baby, waking up only to feed, and in between happily putting up with being passed round all the women in the room for a cuddle.

  ‘Great mulled wine, Gabe,’ said Cat.

  ‘Your recipe, I believe,’ said Gabriel, topping up her glass.

  ‘Ah well, that will be why then,’ blushed Cat. ‘I can’t believe I didn’t recognise my own recipe!’

  ‘Dinner is served,’ said Marianne. ‘We’ve extended the table from the kitchen into the conservatory, so we should all just about fit.’

  In dribs and drabs, and after many dashes to the toilet from the children, everyone arrived at the table, which was laid for twenty-one. The children were down one end, and the adults at the other. Each place was set with a cracker, a party hat, and party poppers, which the children all let off noisily straight away. Louise didn’t bat an eyelid, even then.

  ‘Isn’t that baby just the calmest baby you’ve ever seen?’ said Pippa in awe.

  ‘She has to be, living in our house. Isn’t that right, Mel?’ grinned Cat.

  ‘Too right, Mum,’ said Mel grinning back.

  ‘Well, Batty Jack’s done us proud this year,’ said Gabriel as he carved the turkey. ‘I bet he had no idea he was going to be providing for twenty-one. We certainly didn’t, but we’re very glad to have you!’

  ‘You okay?’ said Cat, as she squeezed in next to Pippa.

  ‘I will be,’ said Pippa with a determinedly cheerful grin. ‘You know me, I’ll survive.’

  ‘And I know you’ve got an admirer,’ said Cat with a grin.

  ‘I don’t know what you mean,’ said Pippa, blushing.

  ‘Richard La Fontaine seemed very interested in you after the ball,’ said Cat, ‘and he is not only rich, but good looking.’

  ‘Is he?’ said Pippa innocently. ‘I really hadn’t noticed.’

  ‘Pull the other one,’ said Cat. ‘I’ve seen the way you look at him, when you don’t think anyone’s looking.’

  Pippa blushed again.

  ‘A girl can dream,’ she said.

  ‘And you deserve a dream to come true,’ said Cat. ‘Come the new year, it’s going to be Project Find Pippa a Date.’

  ‘I’ll drink to that,’ said Pippa and smiled.

  ‘Time for crackers!’ said Marianne, and they all joined arms around the table, and with ‘A one, two, three, now!’ pulled at the same time. As usual, half the crackers didn’t work, but Louise, who was dozing in her car seat in the corner, barely even moved when one wen
t off loudly in her ear.

  ‘You don’t think she could be deaf, do you?’ said Noel doubtfully.

  ‘I’m sure she’s fine,’ said Cat. ‘Let’s just be grateful she’s asleep.’

  The meal passed quickly in a haze of jollity and merriment. There was plenty to eat, plenty to drink and plenty of good cheer, just as there should be at Christmas. All too soon, the pudding had been eaten, plates pushed away, and the port was being cracked open. Gabriel stood up, tapped his glass, and called for quiet.

  ‘I’d like to raise a glass to everyone here,’ said Gabriel. ‘Firstly, I’d like to thank you all for coming to share our Christmas with us. It wouldn’t have been the same without you. And secondly, here’s to surviving another year. I know it’s been tough for some of us, but we’ve got here in one piece. So a very happy Christmas one and all.’

  ‘Happy Christmas!’ Everyone raised their glasses.

  ‘Do you know, I think this Christmas has been the best ever,’ said Noel.

  ‘Oi, that’s my line,’ said Cat, digging him in the ribs.

  ‘I think it’s time we had some carols,’ said Gabriel. ‘Christmas isn’t Christmas without carols. Anyone who fancies it come and join us in the lounge.’

  Marianne sat down at the piano and started to play, while Steven sang the opening lines of Once in Royal David’s City. One by one everyone joined in, young and old united in memories for what had been lost, and for what had been gained. It was the most perfect moment of a perfect day.

  Outside in the lane, a figure in black leather sat on his motorbike, listening to the sound of the carol fill the silent air. He smiled, turned on the engine and roared down the snowy lane and into Hope Christmas High Street, where he stopped briefly to speak to Miss Woods, out on her evening spin around the town.

  ‘Happy Christmas,’ Michael said.

  ‘Happy Christmas, Michael,’ she said. ‘Are you off again, then?’

  ‘Only for a while,’ he said with a smile. He looked around him, at the sparkling Christmas lights which lit up the town, and the Christmas tree which dominated the town square.

  ‘I’m sure I’ll be needed before too long,’ he said.

  ‘I imagine you will,’ she said. ‘God speed for now.’

  ‘And you Miss Woods, and you,’ Michael said. Then he revved up the engine and sped off into the night. Soon all that could be seen of him was a small red dot in the distant hills.

  Snow started to fall softly, and then more fiercely. And soon the tracks he’d made in the road were obliterated completely.

  As if he’d never been there at all.

  Acknowledgements

  As usual, I’d like to thank a great many people.

  To my long suffering editor, Claire Bord, I’d like to extend my gratitude for her patience and unswerving support when I was somewhat less then punctual in delivering the manuscript.

  And to all the amazing staff at Avon Books, a huge thank you as ever for your enthusiasm on my behalf.

  Thanks to my agent Dot Lumley, who has been a rock during a difficult period.

  To the wonderful staff at Burway Books, thanks for all your support.

  For help in research matters, I’d like to thank my amazing twin, Ginia Moffatt, and my lovely writing pal, Kate Harrison. And thanks to Ginia and my niece Beth Cole for being my first readers.

  Huge thanks also to my daughters Alex and Katie, and Lorna Dicken for their fascinating insights into the world of the modern teenJ. I hope I’ve got it right.

  For my wonderful mother, Ann Moffatt, who always turns up trumps, thank you is probably never going to be enough, but I’ll say it anyway!

  And this time, my biggest thanks have to go to my wonderful family: Dave, Katie, Alex, Christine and Steph, for helping me survive the ups and downs of everyday life.

  About the Author

  Julia Williams has always made up stories in her head, and until recently she thought everyone else did too. She grew up in London, one of eight children, including a twin sister. She was a children’s editor at Scholastic for several years before going freelance after the birth of her second child. It was then she decided to try her hand at writing. The result, her debut novel, Pastures New, was a bestseller and has sold across Europe.

  To find out more about Julia go to her website at www.juliawilliamsauthor.com, visit her blog at www.maniacmum.blogspot.com or follow Julia on Twitter @JCCWilliams.

  By the same author:

  Pastures New

  Strictly Love

  Last Christmas

  The Bridesmaid Pact

  The Summer Season

  Cheats Guide to Christmas

  Buy your Christmas presents in the January Sales. You know it makes sense.

  Invite helpful family members who will chip in, not interfere.

  Buy a plain fruit cake, slap on some Jusrol icing and a plastic Santa and pass it off as your own.

  If you’re not feeding an army, get a turkey roll, rather than a whole turkey.

  If you’d rather socialise then cook, go out for dinner.

  If you can’t afford to go out to dinner, buy it in, cheap.

  Wrap presents in stages so you’re not leaving it till the last minute.

  Send people e greetings and save on stamps and wrist ache.

  If you HAVE to send cards, enlist those younger members of the family capable of wielding a pen to write them for you.

  If you HAVE to cook Christmas pudding, make this cheating one given below – it can be prepared two days before and is DELICIOUS.

  Prepare your veg early, blanch and freeze, so you’re not slaving over the peeling when your guests arrive.

  Eat in the evening so you don’t have to rise at dawn to put on your turkey.

  Shop online to avoid the crowds.

  Get the children to write Christmas lists in September so you have plenty of warning.

  Get the kids to decorate the tree and don’t worry about how it looks.

  Forget about perfection and concentrate on fun.

  Try to get early nights before the big day.

  Decorate the table a few days before, shut the door and forget about it till Christmas Day.

  Minimise present buying by doing Secret Santa for the adults.

  Remember it’s one day a year, and you don’t want to waste time being stressed...

  Economical Christmas Pudding

  Cooking time 6-7 hours

  you will need:

  1 Ib seedless raisins

  6oz chopped/shredded suet

  4 oz sultanas

  8oz brown sugar

  8oz breadcrumbs

  8oz apples (grated)

  8oz flour

  8oz carrots (grated)

  2 level teaspoons

  1 tablespoon marmalade

  baking powder

  1 teaspoon mixed

  1tbs black treacle

  spice

  ½ pint milk/ale

  ½ gratednutmeg

  2 eggs

  1 Wash & prepare fruit

  2 Mix breadcrumbs with sieved flour, baking powder, spices, suet and sugar

  3 Add apple & carrot and mix in raisin and sultanas

  4 Mix together marmalade, treacle, milk and eggs

  5 Add to dry ingredients and mix thoroughly to softly dropping consistency

  6 Thoroughly grease two 1½ pint pudding basins and divide mixture equally between them

  7 Place a round of greaseproof paper on top of each basin and cover with aluminium foil

  8 Steam for 6-7 hours over gentle heat replenishing water as required (VERY IMPORTANT IF YOU DON’T WANT BOWL TO CRACK!)

  9 Drain puddings well and store in cool dry larder

  Do not make this pudding more then 2 weeks before required.

  When ready to use steam for 2 hours.

  Mel and Paige’s guide

  to teen speak

  Bad – Tough As in he’s a bad boy (So not James, then? Mum)

  Beef – Gossip (What Paige
spends most of her time doing. Mel)

  BF – Best Friend (Paige’s changes every week. Mel)

  BFF – Best Friend Forever (At least I have friends. Paige)

  Douche – Idiot (Like my big sis? Paige. Shut up, Paige. Mel)

  LOL – (Hint, Mum it doesn’t mean LOTS OF LOVE. Paige) Laugh out loud

  Frape – when someone takes over your Facebook page and writes rude stuff about you. (Yes, Paige? Mel)

  Peng – Fit (As in that boy you fancy on the bus, Paige? Mel No. Paige)

  Reem – Supreme, as in he’s well reem (As in ALL of One Direction. Paige. Ugh. Mel)

  Stack – trip over. Usually your own feet. (Mel does that A LOT. Paige)

  Swaggerdon – Someone who thinks they’re all that. (As in Mum. Paige. That’s a good thing? Mum)

  Read on for an extract from

  the prequel to A Merry Little Christmas

  Prologue

  Marianne sat back in the comfort of Luke’s brand new BMW M5. Every inch of its sleek leather interior screamed luxury, while the latest technogizmos pronounced its top-of-the-range, worthy-of-praise-from-Jeremy-Clarkson status. She glanced at Luke, who oozed confidence with practised ease as he drove with one hand on the wheel. Marianne sighed happily …

  ‘What?’ he said, laughing at her.

  ‘Just pinching myself,’ she replied. ‘I still can’t believe all this is real.’

  ‘You are daft,’ said Luke grinning, before he accelerated into the wind.

  It wasn’t the first time she’d had to pinch herself since she and Luke had got together. His charm and looks had entranced her from the start, even though she had felt thoroughly out of his orbit. In fact, Luke was so far removed from the sort of man she tended to fall for, the strength of her feelings had taken her by surprise. But there was something mesmerising about the combination of hazel-brown eyes and fair hair, which swept back off a strong, classical-looking face.

  Under normal circumstances Marianne would never have met someone like Luke, but, thanks to Marianne’s two rich friends, Carly and Lisa, who still seemed to earn ridiculous amounts of money in the City, even with the credit crunch, she had found herself on a skiing trip during February half term. Her teacher’s salary wouldn’t usually have stretched to that, but at the last minute Carly had pulled out and generously donated her space to Marianne, who then spent a dizzyingly intoxicating week hitting the slopes and revelling in an après-ski environment she could hardly have imagined being part of in her normal life.