Chapter 33 #2
‘It’s always a bit of an unknown,’ Luke shrugged. ‘But dry weather helps and going on previous years, there have been a growing number of people coming along.’
‘Fantastic,’ I smiled. ‘Now, what can we do to help?’
Luke, Erik and Finn spent the day helping the vendors and sorting out any niggles while Neil, Freya, Lisa and I checked the lights and decorations. Graham asked for some help with his and Carole’s outdoor set and Carole made us all tea and filled us up on homemade ginger cake, which was delicious.
By mid-afternoon everything was ready and we all headed back to our respective homes to get changed.
‘People will start arriving from around four I should think,’ Kate said. She’d walked over with the girls who were now tearing around the green. ‘And we’ll be back here then, but you guys don’t need to be. Just come out when you’re ready.’
‘My lot are ready now!’ Lisa laughed and pointed at the three eager faces pressed against an upstairs bedroom window. ‘Even Tamsin the bad-tempered teen has been looking forward to this!’
It seemed we were all excited and when I went home and looked out of an upstairs window I too could appreciate why.
The square already looked wonderful, so my excitement was going to be at fever pitch by the time the lights were turned on.
Even though I didn’t have little ones to keep an eye on, I loved that the green had railings all the way around so there was no danger of them getting carried away and running out onto the road.
‘Don’t forget we have to switch our lights on before we go out again,’ I reminded my father who had, as promised, been writing for much of the day, and this time on the book he was supposed to be working on. ‘We don’t want to be the house that breaks the chain!’
‘We most certainly do not,’ he said with a shudder. ‘I love that every house has the same lights adorning their hedges. It feels like the most wonderful symbol of what a fabulous community exists here. Rather like our homes are all holding hands.’
‘I couldn’t agree more,’ I beamed. ‘And we’re a part of that community now. How lucky are we?’
‘Truly blessed,’ he said and kissed my cheek.
‘I hope you know that I’ll always be grateful to you for inviting me here,’ I said, feeling a little choked.
‘And I’ll always be grateful that you accepted,’ he said and pulled me to him for a proper hug. ‘I think we’re both going to be very happy here for many years to come.’
‘I don’t doubt it,’ I swallowed.
There was a knock on the front door, and I went to answer it.
‘Delivery!’ said Beth who I found on the doorstep with Grandad George, Freddie, Mabel and Harold.
I knew that Harold would be coming because he had been born, raised and lived his entire life in the square and was now a Cavell Care resident, but Mabel was a surprise. A very happy one!
‘Hello all,’ Rafe greeted them.
‘I thought it would be easier to get everyone here in one go in the minibus,’ Beth told us. ‘Can you handle all four of them?’
This remark earned a mixed reaction.
‘I don’t need handling,’ Harold protested. ‘But Freya has very kindly said she and Finn will accompany me this evening.’
‘And Rafe and I can manage the other three,’ Hugh said, who with perfect timing also arrived. ‘Don’t worry, we’ll keep them in check.’
Mabel was still looking adoringly at Rafe so there would be no fear of losing her among the crowd.
‘Good luck with that,’ Beth said. ‘Though I’m delighted to report that Mabel is proving a calming influence on the Dynamic Duo.’ Mabel laughed. ‘I’ll meet you all here at seven to take you back. Latecomers will be left behind.’
She went off to find Eli, and Rafe quickly turned our lights on. They looked perfect and as we looked around we could see some others were already lit up, too.
‘Doesn’t it look lovely?’ Mabel said to me. ‘I think this is going to be the happiest Christmas I’ve had in a while.’
‘Me too.’
‘Following your heart is working out for you then?’ she nudged.
‘It certainly is. Thank you for the advice. Erik’s the only gift I wanted under the tree this year and he’s already been delivered and he’s filled my heart, too!’
‘I’m delighted to hear it,’ she said and then looked down at her legs. ‘I’ve also had an early present.’
I glanced down.
‘Mabel! Are you wearing leg warmers?’
‘I am,’ she confirmed with a chuckle. ‘They were a gift from your father.’
‘And very good they look on you, too Mabel,’ Rafe said and she blushed. ‘Now, would you all like to come inside? I just need to see to the cats and get myself wrapped up and then we can go.’
‘I’m so pleased that you’re well again,’ I said to Grandad George who hadn’t followed the others to the kitchen but waited in the hall.
‘As am I,’ he nodded. ‘I wouldn’t have wanted to miss this. It’s a long time since I’ve made much of a fuss about the festive season.’
‘You’ll be here on Christmas Day, won’t you?’
As well as him, Hugh and Erik would be with us too, so it was going to be a wonderfully packed house. I couldn’t wait!
‘I certainly will. I’m looking forward to it. I’m looking forward to a lot of things now you and Rafe are living nearby.’
‘That makes me so happy,’ I sighed contentedly. ‘And you know, being with you both has made me feel that I’m finally part of a real family.’
‘Oh, Skylar.’
‘As you know, Mum has never been motherly, and as much as I loved being with Madeline and Tobias and visiting Rafe in LA, this is completely different. The bond with my father is so much stronger now.’
‘Everything’s worked out well for you, my dear,’ Grandad George nodded.
‘Everything’s worked out well for all of us,’ I amended.
‘Aren’t you supposed to be meeting, Erik?’ Rafe came out of the kitchen to remind me. ‘There you are Dad. I thought I’d lost one of you already.’
‘I am,’ I said, ‘but I don’t mind sticking with you.’