by Lucy Daniels
‘We have to save him,’ Susan whispered as Toby took a step backwards. But as she spoke, Helen Steer strode across the room and inserted herself between the unlikely pair.
Susan strained her ears to hear what she would say. ‘Toby, I know it’s a party,’ she said, ‘but can you come and check on something for me, please?’
Mrs Ponsonby was left in the centre of the room, opening and closing her mouth as Fancy panted in her arms. ‘It’s way too hot in here for poor Fancy,’ Mandy murmured. ‘I’d better go and offer her a bowl of water. Otherwise Mrs Ponsonby is going to be demanding Toby’s services again.’ She marched off.
The party was nearing its end. Miranda had taken Jack home an hour ago. Susan smiled as she looked up at Douglas. ‘Shall we go and have a last look round the kennels,’ she said. ‘We’re here for the animals after all.’
And we might find a minute alone …
‘That would be lovely,’ Douglas agreed.
‘You must come round very soon and see Frostflake,’ Susan said. ‘Jack is so wonderful with him and he’s settling in so well.’
‘He’s very lucky to have such a wonderful home.’
Susan reached out for his hand and together they walked across the floor. People had started to drift away. Susan frowned as she realised it was oddly quiet. ‘Bounce has stopped barking,’ she said.
Douglas shook his head. ‘Maybe all the barking tired him out and he’s asleep,’ he suggested. ‘Maybe we shouldn’t disturb him?’
‘Mandy,’ Susan called. Mandy looked over. She had been talking to Jimmy, but when she saw Susan’s face, she broke off and came across. ‘Is Bounce still in there?’ Susan asked. ‘Only he’s gone awfully quiet.’
Mandy frowned. ‘He is,’ she said. ‘And it’s not like him to be quiet. We should go and take a look.’
Susan held her breath as they opened the door and walked into the kennel. What if something awful had happened? It would be a terrible end to the evening. But to her surprise, the kennel room was not empty. There was a chair in the corner. On it sat Mr Gorski and on his knee, Bounce lay, gazing up at him, in perfect peace.
Mr Gorski looked up. His eyes stopped on Mandy with an apologetic look. ‘I’m sorry,’ he said. ‘I know I probably wasn’t supposed to get him out, but he just looked at me and I couldn’t resist.’
Mandy was staring at him. ‘Amazing,’ she said. ‘I’ve never seen him so calm before.’ She shook her head.
Mr Gorski sighed. ‘I know it’s Christmas,’ he said, ‘and you probably won’t rehome any of your residents just now, but if I came back on Boxing Day, would it be possible to discuss adoption, please? The house is so empty without Coffee and this little fellow and I seem to be well suited.’ He looked up at Mandy. ‘I can pay for him,’ he added when Mandy didn’t speak. ‘I’ve made a donation this evening, but I’d happily give more.’
Mandy still looked as if she could barely believe what she was seeing. As they watched, Bounce lifted his head and looked round, studying the faces that were looking down at him. Then he saw Mr Gorski’s steady eyes. He lay back down with a contented sigh.
‘Mr Gorski,’ Mandy began. ‘You’re right, I don’t normally rehome animals at Christmas, but I’ve made an exception for Susan and Jack.’ She paused for a moment as he looked up at her. ‘I’m going to make one for you as well. I know how well you looked after Coffee. If you’d like to take Bounce, then I can fast-track the process. I’ve already been in your house, but if I could come and do a proper inspection tomorrow …’ She trailed off.
Mr Gorski looked as if he could hardly believe what he was hearing. ‘Of course,’ he said. ‘Anything you need to do. Let me know when you’re coming, won’t you? I don’t always hear the door.’ He reached out a hand to stroke Bounce’s head and the little terrier opened his eyes, looked up, barked twice as if in agreement, then settled back down. His bark was still so loud that Susan felt herself flinch slightly, but Mr Gorski just smiled.
‘Well, I will let you know tomorrow,’ Mandy said, ‘but if you rehome him, I don’t think you’ll ever have a problem with not hearing your door again. I’ll give you a minute or two longer and then I’ll come and put him back in his kennel.’
She grinned at Susan and Douglas as they went back through to the reception area. It was almost empty. ‘I was starting to despair,’ she said. ‘I wasn’t sure whether I’d find him a home ever, but Mr Gorski’ll be perfect.’ She reached out and hugged Susan and then Douglas. ‘Thanks for coming,’ she said. ‘People have been very generous. It feels like all my Christmases have come at once. Anyway, I’d better get on. Those plates aren’t going to clear themselves away.’ She turned on her heel and started to clear up.
Douglas smiled down at Susan. ‘I guess it’s time for us to go too,’ he said. He put an arm around her and led her outside. The moon had passed its zenith, but it was still huge as it hung over the fells.
‘It’s so beautiful,’ Susan whispered. The sky was filled with stars. The chilly air cooled her warm cheeks. There was frost in the air.
Douglas looked down at her. ‘You’re beautiful,’ he said. He leaned down. Susan was sure the kiss she had been longing for was coming. Just then, the door opened again and they sprang apart.
‘Susan, dear, I’m so sorry to disturb you, but would you mind dropping us home? Ida and I are quite exhausted. We stayed far longer than we meant to.’ Mr Gorski smiled up at her, oblivious to what he had interrupted.
Despite Susan’s sinking heart, she knew it was the right thing to do. ‘Of course, Mr Gorksi.’
She looked up at Douglas, with a sigh. She saw her own disappointment mirrored in his eyes, but then he smiled and opened his arms.
‘All right, lassie, give me a Christmas hug. I’ll see you soon.’ Susan lay her head against his chest. She could hear the slow steady beat of his heart. She had never felt like this, she thought: so wonderfully safe. She closed her eyes and breathed in deeply for a moment.
Then, Douglas was moving again, bidding a cheery farewell to the Gorskis and the Hopes as he strode to his car.
Next time I see him, I’m kissing him straight away, Susan promised herself.
Half an hour later, Susan let herself into Moon Cottage. Miranda was sitting in the kitchen, drinking a cup of tea.
‘I’m afraid Jack is still awake,’ she told Susan, wryly. ‘But we’ve compromised. He’s playing with his toys, in bed, quietly.’
Just then, the air was rent by a scream. ‘MUMMY!’
Susan was up the stairs in an instant, her heart in her mouth. Miranda was hot on her heels.
‘Jack, what is it?’ Susan gasped as she burst into the room.
Jack turned to her, his face alight with happiness. ‘MUMMY, IT’S SNOWING!’
He’d pulled back the curtains to reveal thick white flakes were falling from the sky.
‘Jack, you nearly gave us heart attacks,’ Miranda scolded him.
But Susan couldn’t bring herself to be angry, despite her racing heart. She knew how long Jack had been wishing and hoping for the snow. It would make Christmas for him. She walked over to the window and opened it a crack, so that Jack could reach out and catch a couple of flakes with his hands. She cuddled him close as he laughed at the cold tingling his hands. Miranda sat next to them on the bed and put her arms round both of them.
The landscape before them slowly turned white. First the rooftops, then the treetops and the gardens. It was like the snow was cleaning away all the problems of the past. In two days’ time, Christmas would be here. The future stretched ahead. It was filled with wonderful things.
Chapter Thirty-One
‘It’s like the North Pole!’ Jack shrieked with excitement as Susan drove down onto the Plain of York.
Susan had to agree, it was breathtaking. White, crisp snow, as far as the eye could see.
She had worried that driving might not be possible, but by some miracle, the gritters had been out in force. The roads were blessedly quiet.
‘We’re driving through the snow, but in a car, it’s not a sleigh!’ sang Jack, to the tune of ‘Jingle Bells’.
‘Over the fields we go, laughing all the way, ha ha ha!’ Susan joined in.
Jack clapped his hands. ‘And we’re really like Father Christmas because we’re delivering a present on Christmas Day!’
‘That’s right.’ Susan smiled at him in her rear-view mirror. They flashed through a village of red-brick houses. Susan slowed down as she saw a beautiful black horse and rider ahead of her. She pulled out and gave them a wide berth, glancing over her shoulder. The woman beamed and waved as the horse snorted steam and danced a little. It was a glorious day for a ride. The sun had come out and the snow was glittering.
They reached the outskirts of York itself and soon they were at their destination. She indicated right and pulled in to the side of the street. Michael’s classy townhouse looked like a Christmas card in the crisp sunlight. Susan turned round in her seat. ‘Here we are, Jack. Are you ready?’
He nodded solemnly, then grinned. He looked so happy that Susan’s heart swelled. She climbed out of the car and opened his door.
‘Daddy!’ he cried as she helped him from his seat.
Susan turned to look. The big blue door had opened, and Michael was standing in the doorway. He looked surprised to see them, but then overjoyed as Jack ran up the steps. For once he didn’t seem overdressed – he was barefoot and in a dressing gown with a faint trace of egg on the collar. He bent down and swung Jack off his feet into a hug. Then he looked at Susan and smiled. ‘I wasn’t expecting you,’ he said. ‘I was looking out at the snow, and there you were. Will you come in?’ He opened the door wide, but Susan shook her head.
‘Not today. We have to get back,’ she said, ‘but Jack and I wanted to give you something.’
Jack was wriggling to get down and Michael set him back on his feet. He rushed back to Susan. ‘Did you bring my card?’ he said.
Susan smiled as she handed him one of the two envelopes she was carrying. ‘There you go.’
Jack grabbed it and rushed back to Michael. ‘Here, Daddy,’ he said.
Michael opened the envelope.
‘I drew it for you,’ Jack told him. He gazed up at Michael, his face filled with excitement.
Michael inspected the card. It had a drawing of a robin and there was glitter all around the edges. He looked genuinely touched as he looked down at Jack. ‘I think it’s the nicest card anyone’s ever given me,’ Michael said. ‘Did you really draw it yourself?’
Jack had rarely looked happier. ‘Yes,’ he said.
Susan climbed the final step, feet sinking into the soft snow, and handed over another envelope. This one was brown and very official looking. Michael frowned as he took it. ‘What’s this?’ he asked.
‘Open it,’ Susan urged. Her heart was beating hard.
Michael tore open the envelope and drew out the paper. The line between his eyes deepened for a second and then he drew in a sharp breath. He lifted his gaze to meet Susan’s.
‘I got your cheque and I put it in the bank,’ she said. ‘It’s already made things a bit easier. And while we’re righting old wrongs, I thought this was worth doing …’
Michael glanced down again at the paper. Susan couldn’t help but feel a surge of emotion at the joy that had appeared on his face. It had been short notice, but she had applied for a new birth certificate for Jack. Now the box for ‘father’ had Michael’s name in it. ‘Thank you so much,’ he said. ‘Best card, and now best present too. I’m sorry you can’t stay today, but you know you’re welcome any time.’ There were tears in his eyes. Susan felt her own prickling. Michael crouched and hugged Jack again, then stood up and opened his arms to Susan. After a moment, she stepped into his embrace, they hugged and then let go.
‘Thank you too,’ she said. ‘We’ll come back sometime, won’t we, Jack? I’ll give you a call,’ she promised.
A few moments later, they were back in the car and driving back towards Welford. She stopped as they reached the edge of York. Douglas had said he wanted to come round when they arrived back. He had a present for Jack. Susan hadn’t had time to buy Douglas anything, but she had rushed round last night putting together a new batch of mince pies. He had eaten three of them at the Christmas party. She sent him a text, Just leaving York. Then set off once more, speeding past the white fields.
As she pulled up outside Moon Cottage, she was surprised to see Douglas emerge from around the side of the house. He was brushing snow from a pair of woolly black gloves and grinning all over his face. Susan’s heart started pounding as she smiled at him.
‘Hello, you,’ he said. ‘And hello, Jack. Merry Christmas to both of you!’
Jack was jumping up and down. He was as delighted to see Douglas as he had been to see Michael. Douglas held up a hand and Jack rushed over to give him a high five. They were both grinning.
‘I got here a bit early,’ Douglas said. ‘I was just playing in the snow in the back garden. Hope you don’t mind.’
What on earth had he been doing round there, Susan wondered, but Jack whooped. ‘Can we play in the snow?’ He looked up at Susan, begging with his eyes. She was about to say yes, when Douglas spoke.
‘Can you wait a few minutes, please, Jack,’ he asked. ‘I have a present for you, then there’s something I want to show Mummy. Is that okay?’
Jack nodded. His face had fallen slightly when he was asked to wait, but it brightened again at the mention of a present. They walked inside and kicked off their boots. The wonderful smell of roasting turkey and onion stuffing greeted them as they stood in the hallway. Susan had put them in the oven before setting off for York. Everything else was prepared. Miranda would be arriving soon.
‘Smells wonderful,’ Douglas said, sniffing. He smiled at Susan and she felt her heart skip a beat.
They made their way into the living room. It looked very festive. Snow was piled up on the windowsill outside and a beam of sunlight from the window lit up the tinsel on the tree. All round the room there were cards on every surface and there was a pile of Jack’s new toys on the coffee table. Douglas sat down on the couch, pulled a parcel out of a bag and handed it to Jack. ‘I made this for you,’ he said. He grinned, his eyes sparkling. ‘Go on, open it,’ he said. He seemed almost as excited as Jack.
Jack ripped open the parcel. Inside was a book. Wide-eyed, he held it out to show Susan. ‘The Adventures of Frostflake and Jackdaw,’ she read. ‘Wow, it’s a special book, just for you, Jack!’
‘Thank you, Douglas!’ Jack seemed overawed.
Douglas beamed at them both. ‘Go on, have a read!’
Susan opened her arms and Jack climbed onto her knee. She opened the book. There on the front page was an inscription. ‘To Jack Collins,’ it said. ‘Merry Christmas.’ Douglas had signed his name underneath.
They flipped through the story together. The book was filled with hand-drawn images of Frostflake and his new friend Jackdaw, who somehow managed to look a little like Jack, despite being a bird. Jack himself seemed enthralled as they read the story together. Each time Susan glanced over at Douglas, he was regarding them with a look of utter contentment.
‘Look, Mummy,’ Jack gasped as they reached the final page. ‘Frostflake’s out on his own in the forest.’
Susan smiled. ‘He’s not on his own,’ she said. ‘Look.’ Up in the sky, Jackdaw was flying overhead, keeping his friend safe.
Douglas seemed delighted with their reaction. ‘Glad you like it,’ he said to them both. ‘But I’ve got something else for you, Susan,’ he said. ‘Jack, can you spare Mummy for me for a minute?’
Jack nodded. He slipped to the side to let Susan up, then sat down again and reopened his new book. He would be fine with it, Susan knew.
‘You’ll have to go up to your bedroom for your present,’ Douglas said. ‘It was all a bit last-minute …’
Susan looked at him, confused. In my bedroom?
Douglas ro
ared with laughter when he saw her expression. ‘Sorry,’ he said. ‘Misunderstanding. You’ll need to look out of the window,’ he explained. ‘Your present’s in the garden. I’ll wait here.’
Susan rushed up the stairs. This was the strangest way she’d ever received a Christmas present. But then, when had Douglas ever done anything conventional? She walked across the bedroom and peered out of the window. To begin with, she wasn’t sure what she was looking at. The snow in the back garden had been scraped and piled up in odd formations, but then a picture started to resolve before her eyes. She looked down and laughed. It was her, she realised, standing waving her arms as a herd of cows rushed towards her. The cows had shaggy coats and long horns. Susan couldn’t begin to imagine how he had managed the detail. How confident she looked. Was that how Douglas saw her? She laughed in delight.
‘I love it,’ she called down the stairs. ‘Give me a couple of minutes. I need to take some photos.’ She pulled out the phone from her pocket and took several shots of the snow carving. It even looked fabulous on the small screen of her mobile. She could have stood and looked all day, but Douglas was downstairs. With one long last glance, she turned to go. Douglas was waiting for her in the doorway of the living room.
‘It’s the best present I’ve ever had,’ she said.
The doorbell rang as she reached the bottom. There was a thud from the living room as Jack dropped down from the couch. Pushing past Douglas, he rushed to pull the door open. ‘Nana,’ he yelled. Miranda was on the doorstep clutching two enormous bags of presents. She dropped them inside the door and held out her arms. Jack jumped into them for an enormous hug.
‘Lovely to see you too,’ she said. She put him down and straightened up, then did a rather dramatic double take as she saw Douglas in the hallway.
‘Hello again, Douglas,’ she said. She batted her eyes, looking ridiculously flirtatious as she held out a limp hand. ‘I wasn’t expecting to see you here this morning. Did you stay over?’ she said. Susan felt herself flushing. Her mum managed to make everything sound as if it was from a soap opera.
