Page 77 of Mistletoe and Mulled Wine at the Christmas Campervan

There was a stocking to open for the Dachshund, with dog treats, a pâté-style lunch sachet and a new stylish navy neckerchief with snowflakes on. Daisy was very interested in the dog treat bag (turkey tasty bites) and had to try one immediately, of course. It was Christmas, after all.

‘Well then, Daisy Doo, it’s a quick breakfast for us, then we’re off over to Olly’s.’

The Jeep was already loaded with gifts for all the family, plus a little something for Jack and a hamper of local goodies she’d hand-picked from the village shop and Driftwood as a thank-you to Denise and Simon too. She was slightly nervous about the ‘meet the parents’ Christmas supper – even though she had, of course, already met them at the hospital and visiting this week – but this was on a more formal footing. Despite that flutter of anxiety, she had a feeling that today was going to be a good day.

It was gorgeously festive over with Olly and the gang. The Christmas lights were on and so welcoming: warm-white twinkly strands strung along his front windows, and there was a cute wooden reindeer all lit up stood beside his garden path too. Freddie was waving excitedly at the window.

‘Happy Christmas, Freddie!’

Her nephew came bundling into her arms at the front step.

‘Santa!’ was all he answered with a beaming smile, taking Lucy’s hand to lead her into the living room where the big tree laden with baubles and tinsel and coloured lights twinkled, and where there were still a few gifts left unopened – rather amazingly, with a toddler around.

Daisy enjoyed a sniff about beneath the branches, causing a small pine-needle shower.

‘Oops, come on Daisy, out from there,’ Lucy warned.

With hugs from Alice and Olly, Lucy was welcomed in a festive wave of goodwill.

Nonna and Sofia arrived soon afterwards, laden with gifts galore, all wrapped up beautifully in silver star-patterned paper with red bows and curling string, and fancy tags. Sofia loved making Christmas into a work of art.

After a toast with Buck’s Fizz, the gifting began. Freddie was spoilt rotten, opening parcels in a ripping frenzy of Christmas wrap – which is of course absolutely as it should be on Christmas Day – with new toys, sweets, and clothes. His favourite being a little Thomas the Tank Engine train set that Lucy had bought him, which she was thrilled had hit the mark.

Lucy received some gorgeous bath bombs and a voucher to visit the Alnwick Gardens, a new hat and scarf set – hand-knitted by Nonna – and a pretty top from her Mum, which she was delighted with. Freddie had painted a picture for her too, of a blobby-shaped Santa with a brown blobby reindeer; it made her smile so much. Now that was going to be pinned to her fridge door back in the cottage, for certain.

Later that morning, Dad and partner Jo dropped by for coffee and mince pies for an hour or so, bringing yet more gifts, and a bottle of champagne to leave with them to enjoy with their Christmas dinner. He and Mum had made their own lives over the years, and were pleasant to each other. At times there could still be a trace of coolness between them, the rift many years ago having gone deep, but which they were happy to put aside on days like today for the sake of the family. That was what was important.

The traditional turkey dinner, cooked as a joint effort by Olly and Alice, was delicious, and was finished off with delightful Christmas pudding (bought by Lucy at the Claverham Castle Christmas Fayre from the Pudding Pantry stall!), and yet more mince pies (made by Nonna) served with a dollop of thick clotted cream, and a Santa-shaped chocolate bar for Freddie. With stomachs groaning but happily full, they spent the rest of the afternoon slumped on the two sofas in the lounge watching the Paddington Movie, much to Freddie’s joy.

Lucy took a little fresh air and a walk around the block with Daisy as dusk rolled in. The Dachshund was now sporting yet another of Nonna’s knitted creations; this time a bright-red elf-style suit which was all wrapped up for her along with a small bone-shaped toy. Hah, Lucy’s little helper, lol! Though Lucy wasn’t quite sure how much ‘help’ she was at times – well, perhaps on the cuddles and emotional crutch side of things, yes. And then it was time to go. Time to join Jack and his family.

With hearty hugs, and ‘Merry Christmas’ all round, a chorus of ‘Thank yous’ and ‘See you all soons’, they set off. Lucy’s heart giving an excited yet anxious lift at the thought of being able to see Jack and his family on this special Christmas Day too.

Lucy approached the red-painted wooden door of the large semi-detached house, where a traditional fir-and-holly-style Christmas wreath hung in welcome. She rang the doorbell with a feeling of slight trepidation. This felt like a significant step, and Lucy was also well aware that this was never an easy day for any of Jack’s remaining family, not since his brother Daniel had passed away so suddenly and tragically all those years ago.

‘Hello, hello, come on in,’ Denise greeted her at the door with a warm smile.

Simon was there too, offering to take her coat. And then Jack came through, meeting her at the living-room door, dressed rather unexpectedly in a ‘robin’ festive jumper, which made her smile.

‘Hi, you.’

‘Hey.’

She wondered how he might be feeling, after being so reluctant at one point for this meet-the-parents gathering But rather than seeming uneasy, he gave a gorgeous grin as he said, ‘Happy Christmas, Luce.’

‘Yes, Merry Christmas to you all.’

‘Hope you’ve had a lovely day with your family?’ Denise asked. ‘Where were you now … over in Rothbury?’

‘Ah, that’s where my family are from, yes. But we were actually here in Alnwick at my brother’s place. Just off Allendale Drive. Mum and Nonna came across too, and my dad dropped by. It was really lovely, thanks. And you …?’ she asked politely, as Simon ushered her through to the lounge, where Jack gave her a quick kiss on the cheek, and they then sat rather rigidly at first beside each other on the sofa.

‘A quiet one, but nice, yes.’

Lucy wasn’t quite sure what to say. It would be a tough day for them, always. Lucy’s eye was drawn to the photos on the mantelpiece. The pictures of the young man who looked so very much like Jack in the ones beside him, perhaps a bit taller. And her heart went out to them all. She wondered whether to say anything, to acknowledge their ongoing grief, but on a day like today, would that make things easier for them or more difficult? It felt somewhat like the elephant in the room at that point.

Luckily, Denise saw where her gaze had fallen. ‘Yes, that is our Daniel. He was such a lovely young man.’

‘You must all miss him terribly,’ Lucy acknowledged, her throat tightening with emotion.