Twas Christmas Day in Alborford and snow was all around...well, not really. It was quite wet and windy.

 

The Reynolds house was buzzing with activity. Max and Fiona were there, as were Sam and Ros with baby Holly (named for obvious reasons!). Also, Doris was there with Jane (Don’s sister) and her husband Roger.

 

‘How’s the lovely little lady getting on? My great-granddaughter!’ Doris cooed over the carry cot.

 

‘Fine, she’s been good as gold today,’ Ros smiled, and looked over at Sam and Max laughing in the kitchen together. She felt really happy to be there, part of a happy family unit, the Reynolds were making her feel very welcome—in spite of their initial misgivings.

 

‘When are you seeing your family, Ros?’ Jane asked, pouring everyone a drink.

 

‘Tomorrow, we’ll be at my parents, they live on the other side of Alborford…’

 

‘Lovely.’

 

 

***

 

 

Richard and Rachel had decided to have a quiet Christmas with their son, but Suzanne Curtis was already on the phone.

 

‘No Mum…….yes, we’ll see you on New Year’s Eve...Yes…..No, Mum,’ Rachel teased him in the background, wagging a finger at a bemused baby Harry.

 

It had been a very eventful year for them , but things were beginning to come together at last. Neither of them wanted the interference of Richard’s mother, but she was entitled to see her grandson, who she doted on.

 

Richard put down the phone and sighed.

 

‘She wears me out, that woman!’

 

‘Never mind, we mustn’t complain too much. We’re lucky to still be a family to have this sort of thing going on at Christmas.’

 

‘You’re right, darling,’ and they kissed under the mistletoe, Harry laughing away.

 

 

***

 

 

Jo had gone to stay with her parents for Christmas, while Phil decided to have family round to Number Six and entertain them for a change.

 

‘Well, Phillip, this is lovely,’ his mother, Penny, admired his decorations in the lounge.

 

‘You’ve done well here, lad,’ added his stepfather, William.

 

‘As expected, Lucy cannot make it, but Andrew may pop in later!’ Penny clapped her hands with glee. They hardly ever saw Andrew, he was usually away on business.

 

‘Crikey! That makes a change!’ Phil cried from the kitchen.

 

Just then, Nathan stumbled through the back door.

 

‘I wondered when you’d turn up!’ Phil laughed, handing him a can of beer.

 

‘Alright, bruv, is it OK if Lisa comes round later?’

 

‘Sure, but don’t you want Laura instead today?’ Phil smirked, leaving Nathan embarrassed. He could always work out what his young half-brother was up to.

 

‘No, er, not at all thanks!’

 

‘What are you boys up to?’ Penny asked as she walked into the kitchen.

 

‘Nothing, Mum, when I we ever up to no good?’ Nathan laughed, he could always wrap her around his little finger so easily.

 

 

***

 

 

At Number Eight, the Lucas family were still opening presents.

 

‘Oh, that’s great, thanks,’ Laura smiled, opening a new chart CD from her brother. The days of rowing all day at Christmas were over, and they got on so well these days.

 

Ray watched them, so happy that he was well again and able to enjoy this with his family. There had been times in his life when he never thought he’d be sober and happy at the same time. Hopefully, all of that was way behind him now.

 

‘Oh, Ray, what a lovely perfume, think I’d better get in that kitchen, or the dinner will never be ready at this rate!’

 

Back at the Reynolds later, Doris was chatting to Ros as they washed up together.

 

‘Did you ever have family days like this with your husband?’ Doris asked.

 

Ros immediately felt uncomfortable by this subject, but went along with it so she wouldn’t offend Doris.

 

‘We’d often spend Christmas Day just the two of us, and visit relatives on other days. Either that, or one of us would be working,’ Ros’s eyes started to well up at the thought of it. They weren’t all bad memories.

 

‘Working?’ Doris asked, as though Ros were talking Martian.

 

‘Yeah, we were both quite career driven. And look at me now, eh?’

 

‘Well, I’m sure this suits you much more dear. A woman needs to become a mother sooner or later, that’s what it’s all about.’

 

And Ros stood there, drying dishes, and realised that this was what she’d craved over the years, and that the Reynolds were filling a gaping whole in her life.

 

 

 

 

The Shaw-Camerons were enjoying their day at Number Six.

 

‘What’s the latest with that poor Kristen girl, Phillip?’ Penny asked, eating another Belgian chocolate.

 

‘Well, she’s making good progress, and the doctors say she should be able to come home soon. Her family are spending some of the day at the clinic with her.’

 

‘Oh, the poor lamb, it must be terrible to lose your marbles like that!’

 

Nathan sniggered.

 

‘Penny!’ William cried.

 

‘Mum, you shouldn’t say things like that!’

 

‘Oh, tish tosh, I can speak my mind, she can’t hear me can she?’

 

One thing was certain, Penny Shaw-Cameron would always speak her mind, at any time of the year!

 

 

***

 

Actually, there’s something I need to tell you all,’ Phil said.

 

‘We’re all ears,’ Nathan smirked.

 

‘Well, the bank have offered me a transfer and promotion, to Colchester, and I’ve accepted.’

 

***

 

At Number Two, Don called out to Ros.

 

‘Someone here to see you Ros!’

 

‘Who is it?’

 

‘I think you’d better see for yourself!’

 

As she walked towards the front door, she could hear a familiar voice talking to Don.

 

‘Hello, Ros! Happy Christmas!’

It was Cathy MacDonald.

© 2010 Danny Alborough / DJA Publications
All characters, names and situations are fictitious.
Any similarities to places or people, living or dead, are purely coincidental.