Countdown to Christmas by Jo Thomas

Author:Jo Thomas [Thomas, Jo]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781473596870
Publisher: Transworld
Published: 2023-09-13T18:30:00+00:00

21

9 December: 16 days until Christmas

The next morning, I step out onto the porch, shutting the door behind me. A family of deer is there, standing ankle deep in the snow. They’re as surprised to see me as I am to see them and, for just a moment, we stare at each other. Their long necks, big brown eyes and caramel fur make them look almost regal as they assess me. Then one moves off and the others follow. That was a beautiful start to the morning. Better than getting caught up in the school-run traffic that uses our road as a shortcut, clogging it up.

I pick up the skis and lay them on the ground, aching with every movement. I know Theo’s right. The only way for this to stop hurting is to try it again. I clip on my skis, pick up my poles and slowly straighten.

There’s a rustle in the bushes and I turn to see if it’s the deer returning. Instead, Ike appears, waving his wings, and I smile, pulling on my gloves. ‘Come on, Ike! Let’s do this!’ I say, as I push off, nervous, my legs practically screaming with pain. Ike waddles behind me, as if urging me onwards. Each stride is an effort, but the pain seems to ease the more I take. When I look round, Ike’s following.

‘Keep up!’ I push on, harder, through the pain, but Ike doesn’t catch up until I arrive at the diner, legs sore and aching, but working as they should. Looks like getting back into the saddle was exactly what I needed to do, however much it hurt.

I unclip the skis and carry them up the steps, lean them there and slip off a glove to reach into my pocket for the key to the diner. With it comes Ruben’s ornament, ready for the tree. I look about for the pine we brought back yesterday. It’s not where we left it outside. Maybe Theo has taken it in, ready for decorating. I plan to use Bea’s paper chains and snowflakes. Give it a rustic homemade feel to match the homemade ornament.

‘Bonjour! Morning!’ I call, as I let myself in, so Bea doesn’t have to get out of bed, and see the tree, standing beside the fire, fully decorated in red and gold. It looks like it’s had the professional touch. Still eyeing it, I walk towards the wood-burning stove, put a log on the fire and open up the vents. The flames suddenly shoot up from nowhere, big and bold, exploding into life after a night lying dormant.

Mimi appears from the back room, looking out of place. ‘Oh, good, you’re here. Could I have coffee, please, and something to eat? I have no idea how this old machine works. And Theo’s is just as bad. I’d forgotten! I can’t find anything in his house. It’s so untidy.’ She shudders.

I bristle, but tell myself it’s not my business. ‘I can do pancakes?’

‘Hasn’t this town moved on from pancakes and syrup? No wonder the place is dying on its feet.

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