by Sue Watson
For me it was like a first Christmas, I had begun to accept Steve’s death, and was being a strong parent for Jacob. I was also beginning a new adventure with the bakery and Richard, who was already talking about marriage and a new place to live as a family – not too far from the bakery of course. For Tamsin it was also like a first Christmas. Her life had shifted on its axis, and through opening up about her past she had now begin to let it go and forgive. On this new journey, she couldn’t allow the past to cast a shadow over her future... and she was working on that. And I would be there every step of the way.
36
An Unexpected Guest at The Christmas Table
Tamsin
So there I was enjoying supermarket turkey and cheap new world wine on Christmas Day in a bakery window. We had cheap crackers that snapped loudly and had stupid jokes in them, the cutlery didn’t match, the sprouts were cold – and I won’t even start on the napkins. But you know what? Sitting there, with everyone around me laughing and eating, it was the best Christmas I’d ever had. When my phone rang I thought it was Jesus – he was late for lunch and Hugo was saying Jesus would be late for his own birthday, which just cracked us all up. But when I looked at my phone it wasn’t Jesus.
‘Alright Tamsin?’
My heart almost stopped and my mouth went very dry. ‘Gabe?’ I stood up from the table.
‘Yeah... Happy Christmas.’
I was touched, also a little sad. I thought I’d got over Gabe, but just hearing his voice made me go all woozy.
‘Where did you get to in the end?’ I asked, imagining him on that beach, warm sand, his naked body.
‘I’m where I always wanted to be...’
‘Is there sand between your toes?’
‘No.’
‘Are you somewhere warm?’
‘No... it’s bloody freezing.’
‘Really? Where are you?’
‘I’m outside.’
‘Yes but where outside?’
‘The Bakery.’
I looked up and there he was through the window in a big overcoat, looking like a bedraggled film star, stubbly and rough and... I opened the door and ran to him. We fell into each other’s arms.
‘You’re back? For how long?’ I asked, burying my head in his chest
‘A while.’
‘But what happened to your beach?’
‘I got to the airport and I hung around a bit and decided I didn’t want to go anywhere. I don’t need a beach, not now I’ve got you with your stupid shoes and your daft Christmas decorations.’
I had a sudden, uncontrollable urge to rub his bristly face all over my décolletage... thankfully I resisted.
‘I missed you, Tammy,’ he said in a moment of softness.
‘I missed you too.’
We kissed and my heart soared above the snow, this was so wonderful, so unexpected. I heard jeering and clapping coming from inside and we pulled away from each other in embarrassment. Then I curtseyed and Gabe bowed. Through the window I could see my whole family gathered inside our little bakery. It was the perfect Christmas picture, love, laughter twinkling lights, mismatched crockery and hope for the future. And standing in the snow, Gabe’s hand in mine, I knew this was it. The Christmas I’d been searching for all my life.
‘Come on, Mum, bring Gabe inside, it’s freezing out there,’ Hugo called from behind the flaming pudding.
I smiled, took Gabe’s hand, and led him into Christmas. I was finally home.
A Note from Sue
If, you’re like me and that first line of ‘Let it Snow,’ has you lunging for the sherry and the fairy lights then you will appreciate what a joy it’s been for me to write this book. I LOVE Christmas and have spent the whole summer wallowing in cinnamon-scented ‘Christmasness.’ I have written only to the sound of ‘Michael Bublé’s Christmas’ album while inhaling gingerbread candles and sporting a reindeer jumper. I also sacrificed my diet and ate my own weight in mince pies, just so I could conjure the mood and spirit of Christmas and share it with my readers – you’re welcome.
I really hope you enjoyed reading this book as much as I enjoyed writing it, and if you have a moment (in between buying cards and presents, writing cards, sending cards, wrapping presents, arguing with partners, refereeing children and cooking Christmas Dinner) to write a quick review I’d really appreciate it.
My biggest thrill is when readers say my writing cheered them up, inspired them, or made them laugh, so please join me on Twitter and Facebook, because I love chatting to you.
I’ve started writing my next book now and I reckon after all that snow us girls need to feel sand between our toes and sunshine on our faces. So if you fancy some fun in the sun and want to know when my next book will be released you can sign up for email updates at:
www.suewatsonbooks.com/email
I promise I won’t share your email address with anyone, and I’ll only send you a message when I have a new book out.
Thanks again for reading – may all your Christmases be Merry and Bright – and overflowing with baked goods.
Sue x
PS. You can also find the links to my other books on the next page…
Stay in touch!
@suewatsonwriter
suewatsonbooks
www.suewatsonbooks.com
Also by Sue Watson
Love, Lies and Lemon Cake
Fat Girls and Fairy Cakes
Younger, Thinner, Blonder
Love, Lies and Lemon Cake
Faye Dobson has lost her sparkle. Living on film star fantasies and vague memories of a marriage that once was, she can’t help feeling that life is passing her by. She dreams of being whisked to Paris for dinner, making three wishes at the Trevi fountain and having sex under the stars. But the wrinkles are multiplying, her husband’s passion is for plumbing, and the nearest she’ll get to Rome is a take-away pizza.
So when Faye meets Dan the gorgeous Australian surfer guy working in the local deli she can’t help but wonder what it would be like to see the world. He is blonde, tanned, ten years younger and bakes the most amazing lemon cake. Unlike her husband Dan actually listens to Faye, his smile makes her feel fizzy inside, and when he smiles... Oh. My. God.
But is Faye being silly? What would Dan see in someone like her? Even if he did have feelings for her, could she give everything up to be with him?
A laugh-out-loud, bittersweet comedy about taking your life back before it’s too late.
View Love, Lies and Lemon Cake
