Chapter 10 #2
‘Right, this is all rather lovely, and the nibbles are absolutely delicious, folks, but it’s time to get our thinking caps on.
’ Cath put on her best, most officious teacher voice to rally the supper club troops.
‘So, part of the reason why we are here this evening, is that I’d like your thoughts on my Christmas community event idea.
And, if you’d be up for getting involved.
’ She smiled at them, with a look of hope.
Without their support she knew she’d never be able to pull off the kind of lavish festive occasion she was hoping to host.
All eyes were now trained on Cath. Nikki had paused mid-bite on a cheese straw, and Dan held his glass aloft, delaying taking a sip, until he heard the news.
‘Okay, since our last supper club, when we talked about Christmas and Andreas’s lovely mum, I’ve had several ideas kicking about in my head on how we can celebrate as a community.
Ideas such as coffee mornings, carol singing, but one has stuck with me and seems absolutely perfect for us as a group.
If you’re on board that is …’ She was crossing her fingers and toes, realising it was a lot to ask of them.
‘So, my community event idea is to host a super-sized Christmas supper party.’
There was a second or two of silence whilst they digested the news.
‘Well, I think it sounds marvellous. I agree it has to be about food,’ said Dan, much to Cath’s relief. ‘That’s what we’re good at, after all.’
She hadn’t realised, but she’d been holding her breath up to that point.
‘Speak for yourselves,’ piped up Will wryly, still evidently nervous about his cooking skills. ‘But yes, I do think it sounds a nice idea. Though it might prove a big thing to organise.’
‘Oh, and can we make mince pies for it? The best-ever crumbly buttery sort. With carol singing, and everyone gathered around a Christmas tree?’ Lily was getting enthusiastic about it already.
‘Oh, I can picture that. Very festive,’ said Nikki.
‘Lily, are you serious? About the singing, I mean? How do we know we are any good?’ Dan queried.
‘Well, I love singing,’ Andreas announced.
‘In the shower. It’s a bit different singing in a choir and being in tune,’ Dan said, dashing his George Michael moment.
‘It’s a lovely idea, guys. And I’ll note it down, Lily. I’ve already started making a list,’ said Cath, taking her phone out to add to it.
‘Wow, you have been thinking about this a lot,’ commented Andreas.
‘Oh, and Andreas,’ added Cath, ‘as well as people from the village, I think we should invite some of the residents from the care home, too.’
‘Oh, how wonderful, yes.’ He clapped his hands together. ‘They did so much for Mama there, after all. And, she so enjoyed a little trip out, back in the day.’
Cath had further news on this. She’d missed visiting Maria and the home and had time on her hands that she could put to good use.
‘I’ve just signed up for visiting at the home too, once a week.
I really enjoyed talking with Maria there.
It will be lovely to give some of my time, hopefully spread some joy.
And, the elderly are so interesting. All those stories and life experience. ’
‘Aw, that’s so kind of you, Cath. I’m sure the residents will love chatting with you,’ said Andreas.
‘So, when I’m next there,’ Cath continued, ‘if we’re all in agreement, that is, I’ll mention a supper trip to the manager, Julie. Moot it as a possibility, at least.’
‘Thank you, petal,’ said Andreas.
‘Hmm, if most of our target audience are elderly, isn’t supper a bit late in the day?
’ The room filled with a group sigh at Mr Sensible’s words.
‘Sorry, to put a spanner in the works, guys, but just thinking about my own mum and dad, well, their supper’s at five o’clock sharp.
They’re nodding off in their easy chairs by six. Just saying.’ Will quirked an eyebrow.
‘Well, let’s do a daytime supper then,’ Nikki chipped in merrily.
‘Auntie Niks, I think you’ll find that’s lunch.’ Lily’s heavily kohled green eyes creased with mirth.
‘Okay, smarty-pants.’
‘Now, we’re talking.’ Cath’s face lit up at the banter, despite her anxiety.
‘That’s fine and works really well with my thinking.
Many of those living on their own find cooking a roast dinner a chore, even though they enjoy eating one.
Let’s do a proper Christmas lunch, with all the trimmings, and yes, Lily, a Christmas tree with tinsel, festive music, carol singing, the works. ’
‘Cool,’ said Lily.
‘Yep, sounds gorgeous,’ Nikki agreed.
‘Fabulous,’ Dan added.
‘When?’ queried Will.
‘Oh, perhaps in the week or so before Christmas?’ Cath suggested, having already thought of this.
‘Most people will have their own plans for Christmas Day, of course.’ Though Cath still wasn’t sure what hers would be, perhaps flying solo festively for the first time ever.
At least this project would help give her a focus for the coming weeks.
‘And those from the home can still enjoy their roast turkey dinner there too, on Christmas Day.’
‘Crackers,’ Andreas called out.
Cath at first thought he meant her plan, and felt a nip of disappointment. It was a big challenge, admittedly.
‘Games,’ added Dan.
Cath then realised they were adding to her list of event activities and gave a grin, suddenly having a vision of a tangled game of Twister, with various elderly joints seized in place, which made her smile.
‘And hopefully lots of fun, friendship and laughter.’ Lily was beaming.
‘I think we’ve hit the jackpot,’ said Nikki.
‘Are we in?’ Cath asked with apprehension.
It all rode on this. Was her tribe ready to forge forwards as a team, out of their cosy home-supper zone and into the world of event catering?
‘I know there’s a hell of a lot of planning yet to do.
And I’m happy to take on the brunt of it.
But in principle – and there’s no pressure here on any of you as individuals – are you happy to do this?
To be a part of the next big community event? ’
Andreas stood up immediately, as though swearing an oath. ‘I’m in.’
Dan was then standing beside him. ‘Me too.’
Lily followed with ‘Yeah, why not, sounds fab. Though I will have to balance it with all my studies and hopefully the restaurant job.’
‘Of course, and thank you,’ said Cath.
Nikki then shrugged as she gave a smile. ‘Ah, go on then, in for a penny, in for a pound. I’ve a lot on, but haven’t I always. It’s to help the village folk and the elderly, and Christmas is a time for helping others, so yes, count me in.’
It was down to Will, the last one left to respond. The last one still fixed to his seat.
Cath realised that whilst questioning the project, that wasn’t actually a ‘no’ to helping from Will.
She was still hanging on to a hopeful outcome here.
It would be such a shame if he felt he couldn’t join them in this, if he withdrew from their group.
After recent mortifying moments, Cath was worried the main reason might be more about the issues between the two of them than having anything to do with the event.
‘It does sound a really lovely idea.’ Will at last was positive. ‘All right then, I’m in.’
Phew. Cath was delighted and very thankful for all their support.
‘Well then, after all that brainstorming, I think I need another glass of wine,’ announced Nikki. ‘Anyone ready to join me?’
‘Would be rude not to.’ Dan grinned, reaching for the bottle in the wine cooler.
And just like that, plans were afoot for the Christmas event.
At least something was making progress, Cath mused.
Whilst she and Will had both made it here to the supper club meeting, the recent closeness they’d shared as a couple had evidently been halted.
Will was keeping his distance this evening, avoiding eye contact, seemingly unsure of how much of himself he was prepared, or able, to give to any new relationship with Cath.
Finally catching his eye across the coffee table and seeing a mere ghost of a smile from him, it was like he’d retreated from her all over again.
She understood it was grief he was battling with, and it was a tough journey for him.
But it hurt Cath too. All she wanted was to be able to go over, take him in her arms and soothe away his pain, but life and loss were never that simple.
They felt a million miles away, not a mere metre or two apart.