Chapter 40
SLATE
‘Going so soon?’ Rosie asked as Slate wriggled into his jacket.
They’d had Christmas dinner, pulled crackers, told jokes and exchanged gifts.
It had been an enjoyable few hours but he could see that Rosie and Jed wanted to relax with the kids now and he wanted to get back home too.
Home. Strange how the house he shared now felt like home.
He couldn’t imagine living anywhere else, but they all had to leave soon.
He’d already put the deposit down on the flat and Jed had his mortgage in place, and for Jackie too.
It was the only sensible option. He knew he would feel like a fish out of water in the flat, nice as it was, and would miss everyone, but at least Jackie would be next door.
And if he didn’t go for this flat he would have to find somewhere else.
He hoped that Nancy would still sing in the band when he left.
He’d grown very fond of her. More than fond, but he wouldn’t admit exactly how much, even to himself.
‘Yes, I think you two could do with some time to yourselves, and we have a celebration planned at the house when everyone’s returned from visiting their families.’
‘Good for you! Why don’t you take a couple of board games with you? That will liven things up.’ Rosie dashed upstairs and came back down with Twister and a pack of Charades cards. ‘The kids think they’re too old for these now, but I reckon you lot will have a laugh with them.’
‘They’ve probably got their own version of games. They’re right retro rebels,’ Jed said with a grin.
‘That’s his nickname for you all,’ Rosie said, her eyes dancing with amusement.
‘Yeah, I know. Dunno why – we’re all very sedate and boring.’
‘’Course you are!’ Jed grinned.
‘Anyway, thanks for dinner – and the games.’ After shouting ‘goodbye’ up the stairs to Jess and Tristan – who had disappeared to their bedrooms to play their new computer games as soon as the meal was finished – Slate left.
They’d all arranged to get back about five, exchange gifts and celebrate Christmas together.
He was looking forward to it. He’d bought a small gift for everyone: a seven-chakra candle for Phyllis, a colourful scarf for Jackie, a bottle of whisky for Oxo, and a beautiful affirmation journal for Nancy, wanting to encourage her to embrace her new life.
He was glad that Oxo and Jackie had got together.
They made a great couple and it was good to have another bloke popping in and out the house.
Decaf and Muriel were spending Christmas Day and Boxing Day with her parents in Devon, so wouldn’t be able to join them.
Phyllis’s car was already parked on the drive and he could hear Christmas music playing as he opened the front door.
‘Has the party started already?’ he asked as he walked into the living room.
Nancy and Phyllis were perched on the end of the sofa, a glass of wine in each of their hands, tucking into a box of biscuits.
‘I’ve brought games. Rosie insisted.’ He held out the bag Rosie had put the games in.
‘Oh, and by the way, Jed and Rosie have nicknamed us the Retro Rebels. Can’t think why! ’
‘I like it!’ Nancy flashed him a warm smile that spread a glow through him. ‘Jackie and Oxo are on the way. Have you had a good time?’
‘I did, thank you. And you?’
She nodded. ‘Val and Dennis are always good company. They’d invited Dennis’s friend Alan around again too, because he’s on his own. He seems to have taken a bit of a shine to me. I was glad to make my escape.’
‘Sounds awkward,’ Slate said, feeling ridiculously pleased that Nancy didn’t fancy this Alan. ‘Were they trying to matchmake, do you think?’
‘I’m not sure. Dennis might have been but Val knows Alan isn’t my type.
I think they were just being kind. It’s not nice for anyone to be on their own on Christmas Day, is it?
’ She shrugged. ‘Although people are always trying to get us singles paired off, aren’t they?
I’m not sure if they’re jealous because we have so much fun.
They want to tie us down like them or if they think we can’t possibly be happy without a partner.
’ She put her hand over her mouth. ‘Oh dear, does that sound dreadfully cynical?’
‘Not at all. I can see your point,’ Phyllis told her. ‘I get the same.’
‘Me too,’ Slate agreed.
‘I guess you do. Anyway, I’m sure it’s all meant in good spirit. Fancy a glass of wine?’
‘I do, but I’ll pour it. Do you two want a top-up?’
Phyllis held out her glass. ‘Please.’
When Jackie and Oxo arrived, they all exchanged presents. Phyllis’s present for everyone was a beautifully decorated cup with their zodiac sign on it – she’d asked Jackie what Oxo’s sign was. Slate guessed they were from Mystic Quartz.
‘Oh, Phyllis, that’s gorgeous. Thank you so much.’ Nancy looked delighted with her cup.
‘It really is, and so thoughtful of you to have remembered all our star signs,’ Jackie told her, handing everyone their presents from her: a pen each with their names engraved on them. ‘Now there will be no arguments when we’re looking for a pen to do the crossword,’ she said with a grin.
To their surprise Oxo had bought everyone a hip flask – silver for Slate, purple for Jackie, blue for Phyllis and red for Nancy. ‘Sorry, I’m hopeless at presents but I thought these might come in useful.’
‘Nonsense, this is a fantastic gift,’ Slate told him and they all agreed.
That just left Nancy to give her presents out, which were authentic newspapers published on the year they were born. ‘Val bought me one a couple of years ago. It’s a nice keepsake,’ she said.
They were all delighted with their birthday papers and immediately started comparing and chortling over snippets of the news. That kept them occupied for a while.
Then Nancy suggested moving into the dining room to play some games. ‘Slate’s brought some from Rosie and Jed’s,’ she said.
Jed showed them the games and told Jackie and Oxo the nickname Jed and Rosie had given them. They both laughed.
‘I’ve got something ready too. Give me a few secs.
’ Jackie disappeared upstairs and come back down a few minutes later holding a large sheet of thin white card.
She turned it around to reveal a picture of Santa minus his beard.
‘We can play pin the beard on Santa,’ she said, holding up a paper beard.
‘Now who’s going to be the first to be blindfolded? ’
‘Me,’ Oxo held up his hand.
More laughter as Jackie put the blindfold on Oxo, then spun him around and he staggered about, arms outstretched trying to find the Santa picture, which had been pinned to the door. He eventually found it and stuck the beard onto the top of his head!
Then it was Val’s turn. She managed to get a bit nearer, pinning the beard onto Santa’s nose.
They played games all evening. First, Spin the Bottle – with Jackie insisting that the person who spun the bottle had to kiss whoever the bottle pointed to.
That proved hilarious. Especially when Oxo had to kiss Slate – he exaggeratedly pouted his lips as he kissed Slate on the cheek and Slate acted mock-coy.
Next Slate spun the bottle and it pointed to Nancy.
They both looked a little awkwardly at each other, then Slate pecked Nancy on the cheek with Jackie shouting, ‘Cheat – it should be on the lips!’
Slate would have loved to kiss Nancy on the lips but wasn’t sure of her reaction so merely grinned and shook his head saying flippantly, ‘I wouldn’t put Nancy through that!’
Was it his imagination or did Nancy look disappointed?
Pass the Parcel followed, then Charades. Slate hadn’t laughed so much for ages. Then out came the Christmas cake and more wine. Followed by more games.
They were all playing Twister, roaring with laughter as Nancy stretched her leg too far to reach a circle and fell over onto Slate, when the dining room door suddenly opened. An almost bald-headed man wearing a navy duffel coat stood in the doorway.
‘Clifford!’ Nancy gasped, scrambling to her feet, staring at the man in shock.
Clifford. Her ex-husband?
Clifford held out his arms. ‘Nancy, darling. I’m back. I’ve come home.’