Wish Upon a Christmas Cake (5 page)

‘I’m very well thank you, angel. Thoroughly enjoying my retirement, actually. Plenty of golf, tennis and time with my wife.’ He squeezed my shoulders and winked at me conspiratorially, then crossed the kitchen to my mother’s side. She was mashing potatoes and her powerful movements had caused her well-maintained blonde waves to fall over her face. I watched as Dad tenderly pushed her hair behind her ears then kissed her cheek. She immediately coloured and stopped punishing the spuds before turning slightly to allow my father to kiss her on the lips. I’d never understand my parents. They were such a strange combination. I seemed to have come out somewhere in the middle – I had some of Dad’s business sense and drive, yet I also occasionally suffered from Mum’s neuroses. But no one’s perfect, right?

Just then my Aunty Gina floated into the kitchen. Gina is Dad’s younger sister. She’s ten years his junior. Granny and Granddad had a
surprise arrival,
as they liked to call her. Knowing my aunt as I do, I
bet
she was a surprise.

‘Ooohhh! Hello, Katie. So good to see you, darling.’ She drifted over to me. Gina doesn’t walk, she floats and drifts. She always dresses in brightly coloured billowing materials and refers to herself as a spirit of the revolution, even though she would only have been a child during the sixties. But she constantly plays The Mamas and the Papas, Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix and when she gets drunk, which she does all too often, she rants about capitalism and her time on a Kibbutz and how we’ll all be sorry one day.

‘Hello, Aunty Gina.’ I proffered a hand to shake but she swatted it aside and enveloped me in a bear hug, forcing the air from my lungs. Her perfume of choice was a heady mix of patchouli and rose which I could taste as I sucked in a breath when she released me. Suddenly aware of a cold feeling in my groin, I glanced down to see that the wet patch spreading over the crotch of my jeans and the hem of my jumper was the remains of my whisky.

Gina followed my eyes. ‘Oopsy!’ She shrugged and smacked her scarlet-painted lips together. ‘Plenty more where that came from.’ She patted my shoulder, then saluted me as if we were rebels sharing a secret solidarity before drifting over to the fridge where she helped herself to a G and T.

Thanks, Gina.

Dad smiled as I stood up and attempted to dust myself off with a tea towel. ‘Why don’t you get changed and I’ll help your mother finish dinner. I hope you’ve brought some of those fancy cakes of yours because I can’t stop thinking about the ones you made for Granny’s birthday.’ I watched as his face fell for a moment but he quickly concealed his grief.

‘They’re in there, Dad.’
Apart from the ones currently freezing out in the barn.
I pointed at the box on the counter and cringed as the image of Sam trying to prise it from my hands popped into my mind. ‘Of course I’d bring cakes with me. It would be criminal not to.’

Dad smiled as he peered into the box, then nodded approvingly. ‘They look good.’

I crossed the kitchen to the open doorway then realised I had no idea where I was going. As if reading my mind, Esther said, ‘Take a left at the top of the staircase then you’re the third door along. We selected a lovely room for you.’

‘Thanks, Mum.’ I turned away quickly, not wanting her to see the surprise on my face at how pleasant she was being. It made me want more, yet simultaneously made me a bit uneasy, as if someone was playing a trick on me.

I left the kitchen and wandered into the hallway.

And stared.

I swear that my jaw actually fell so far open as I gazed around me, that it hit my chest.

A huge staircase with a polished oak banister and ornate iron spindles ran from the middle of the hall and branched off in two directions as it ascended. There were several rooms off the ground floor hallway, one of which I assumed must be the dining room as I could hear the clink of china and the tinkling of cutlery as someone laid the table. Music came from the room adjacent to it, which was just off the grand double-front door. I realised that it must be the drawing room or lounge, depending on which century you were from. I scanned the hallway to see more rooms on the other side of the staircase too. Obviously the building was enormous from the outside but the inside reminded me of a cathedral. No, make that two cathedrals combined.

This house would need some serious exploration. Once I’d got changed, of course. I dared not hold my family up any longer.

***

I kicked the door to my room open as I was juggling my holdall, my handbag and trying not to let the whisky on my jeans seep through into my M&S knickers. I flicked through my memory to my shower at the flat then recalled popping a white pair on.
Great!
If whisky soaked into them it would be hard to get out, which meant that I’d never be able to dry the stained pair on the washing line. I blamed Esther for my obsession with whiter-than-white-whites. Socks, knickers, bras and aprons all had to be blindingly clean and white or…or what? I didn’t know the answer to that one but it was just a
fact
I’d grown up knowing.
What if you get knocked down by a bus today and you haven’t got your best knickers on? What if you want to try something on when you’re out shopping and there’s a communal changing room? What if the vicar comes for tea?
(Strange that one, how would he know what state my knickers were in?)
What if you meet the queen?
(Did Elizabeth II have x-ray vision then?) But Esther’s convictions were so strong that they could actually assume the appearance of facts. I guess that’s a mother thing.

As the door to my room swung wide, my jaw went slack for the third time since I’d arrived.

‘WOW! WOW! WOW!’

The bedroom was dimly lit by two floor lamps that stood either side of the bed but I could see that the room was huge. I could have fitted our whole flat into it. There was a king-size four-poster bed with its head against the wall to my left, an enormous mahogany wardrobe on the wall behind the door, two long sash windows in front of me and a large antique dresser to my right. Next to that was another door.

I dumped my bag on an ornate and presumably antique ottoman at the foot of the bed, then crossed to the windows. They overlooked the gravel path at the side of the house and the barn where I’d parked my car. I was sure I could see a few Florentines glowing in the darkness as they froze solid. I gave my Beetle a little wave then pulled the curtains against the inky blackness of the night and crossed the room to the other door.

Behind it was an exquisite en suite that filled me with both joy and relief. There’s nothing worse than having to leave your room when you’re staying away from home just to go for a pee in the middle of the night. At least I’d be spared such indignity. Besides, a big old house like this would be a bit spooky once everyone had gone to bed, so I was glad I wouldn’t have to creep across the landing and risk bumping into a headless nun or something. If the manor house was haunted, of course. Which it probably wasn’t. And anyway, I don’t believe in ghosts. Or – and this thought was far more pleasant – I could be innocently walking along, wearing my best silky nightie which showed off my curves – but not my lumpy bits – and bump into Sam. Oh, to crash into that wall of chest then be scooped up into those bulging arms. I’d be faint obviously, so he’d have to take me back to my room and give me mouth to mouth as his huge body covered mine and then…

Nothing.
He was married. He had kids. Forget it. Forget him.
That
was all in the past.

I eyed the deep white tub longingly. It would be wonderful to fill it with bubbles then sink beneath them. Maybe I could jump in later, or in the morning after breakfast. But I’d better get changed and go down before steam started whistling from Esther’s ears. She’d been reasonable so far but I didn’t want to push my luck.

I opened my bag and pulled out a black shift dress made of that fabulous crinkle material that you don’t need to iron. I love this dress. It’s so easy to wear because it’s loose and flattering. I rummaged around until I found my black cork wedge espadrilles then dressed quickly.

There, that would have to do. But what about a bit of make-up? Not much but something to give me a bit of a glow. After all, I was feeling tired and some bronzer and lippie always made me look more human. We did have guests and really I didn’t want to scare them. You know, appear downstairs like Bob Marley in
A Christmas Carol
. I mean Jacob Marley. Bob Marley appearing would have a completely different effect now, wouldn’t it? More
Could You Be Loved
than
you must change your ways
. Although a visitation of the latter kind might make my mother a nicer person.

I placed my make-up bag on the dressing table and took out my bronzer, then flicked the thick brush over my cheeks. Hmmm. My forehead was a bit shiny, especially the bruise where I’d bumped my head on the steering wheel, so I whisked the brush over that too. And my neck for good measure. A slick of red lip-gloss, a finger comb of my mousey-brown curls and I was done. I smiled at my reflection. Not bad. Not great either but, hey, after a glass of wine, I’d feel more comfortable with myself and Esther’s inevitable critique would drift over my head like wood smoke on the breeze.

I hoped.

Well, maybe after two glasses.

***

Descending the stairs, the murmur of voices from the dining room made me smile. It was Christmas and I was lucky. Some people didn’t have anyone in their lives. I shouldn’t be ungrateful. Admittedly, sometimes I’d like to alter my family. Well, my mother. Just a bit. So that it would be easier to spend time with her. But at least I had a family.

But not a grandmother.

The thought jabbed me like a blow to my gut and I bent over for a moment as I tried to dispel the pain. It was early days, Granny had been dead for less than two months. I had to allow myself to grieve her passing. But it was so hard. Keeping busy at the shop had helped to keep my mind off things, but I knew that being with my family would mean there was no escape. I would have to face up to the fact that she was gone.

I took a few deep breaths then headed for the kitchen to check if Mum needed any help but it was empty. My stomach crashed to the parquet flooring.
Uh oh!
I hurried back through the hallway and through the open door of the dining room.

The talking stopped. A glass crashed to the floor and shattered. Someone sneezed. I stared at the familiar faces and they stared back at me.

‘Katie!’ My mother smiled at me. ‘There you are.’

I frowned. Where was the expected criticism or reprimand?

‘You look lovely, darling.’ I met my Dad’s twinkly eyes and smiled my gratitude. I walked around the table, nodding a very quick
hello
at everyone then sat next to Karl.

‘Hi, Sis.’

‘Hey, Karl. Sorry I’m a bit late.’

‘Just glad you could make it, Katie. It wouldn’t be the same without you.’ He squeezed my hand and I glanced at him. We were both thinking about how it wouldn’t be the same without Granny but neither of us could vocalize it at that moment.

‘This is Angelo, Katie.’ Karl leant backwards so I could see his lover properly and the gorgeous model grinned at me.

‘Hello, Katie. I am so pleased to meet you. Karl never stops talking about you.’

I smiled. ‘It’s wonderful to finally meet you too, Angelo. I hope that my brother hasn’t told you anything I should worry about.’

He laughed and waved at me. ‘Not at all. He tells me how sweet and kind you are and how you work too hard but never anything bad. Karl adores his baby sister.’

I flushed with pleasure. I really did love my brother a lot too.

‘I wanted to tell you also that I am very sorry for the loss of your grandmother.’

I flinched and Karl took hold of my hand again. ‘Thank you, Angelo.’ I ground my teeth together. I had to stay strong. I couldn’t lose it in front of everyone.

‘I was unable to make the funeral because my own grandmother is unwell. But I wanted you to know that I am sorry. Karl said that you were particularly close to her.’

I glanced at Karl and he nodded. I straightened in my chair and swallowed hard. ‘How is your grandmother now, Angelo?’

‘A battle-axe is the expression I think you Brits might use. She’s a tough old Italian lady and she will, I suspect, survive us all.’ He smiled and his whole face lit up. There was kindness in his gaze and I saw instantly why Karl loved him. Plus he was being very open considering that this was our first meeting and very honest. That would be a good thing for Karl. He needed a man with integrity and a big heart to love him.

As Angelo turned to talk to Sam, I said to Karl, ‘Is he always that forthright?’

‘Always. He’s incredibly open, not like us English with our stiff upper lips. He wants to talk everything through and to find a solution that offers peace of mind.’

‘That must be nice,’ I replied, watching Karl’s face carefully.

‘Yes. It is, although it can be difficult when I just want to bury my head in the sand.’ He winked at me.

‘He’s lovely.’

‘I know.’

As Dad carved then dished out the chicken and potatoes, I took the opportunity to look around the table properly. There was Mum and Dad, Karl, Angelo, Aunty Gina and her Turkish boyfriend, Aunty Gina’s daughter Rebecca and…Sam. Big, brawny, handsome Sam. He was engaged in conversation with Angelo but he glanced up every now and then to check on the two small children to his right – a boy of about eight or nine and a little girl who looked about four. Both were his mirror image, but cuter and younger, of course. As I gazed at them, an old emotion swept through me and tugged at my heart. This wasn’t going to be easy.

There was no woman. I scanned the table again. Where was his wife? Had she feigned a headache and declined dinner? Had she excused herself to powder her nose? A pang of jealousy stung me and I shivered. Even after all this time, it was hard to accept that Sam had another woman, a wife no less, and that they had children.
Children that could have been mine.

‘So what do you think, Katie?’