Coming Home for Christmas (12 page)

‘Don’t be mean, let’s give it to her now.’ Alison kissed the top of her mother’s head again and wrapped her arms around her.

‘It’s good to have one pal.’ Esther stroked her cheek tenderly.

‘Now! Now! Now!’ Kate banged on the table with her teaspoon.

‘Yes! Yes! Yes!’ chanted Lia, doing a twirl.

‘All right then,’ relented Olivia. ‘It’s a very special one for a very special mother, all the way from New York. We chose it together on the internet and Alison got
it,’ she explained, as her sister rooted in her bag for the box.

‘You give it, seeing as you’re the oldest,’ Alison grinned, handing Olivia the Tiffany package.

‘Mam, from the two of us with love.’ Olivia kissed her mother as she handed her the present.

‘Oh my goodness! What’s this? Oh my God!
Tiffany’s
– how posh!’ Esther exclaimed excitedly as the grandchildren crowded around her for a look.

‘Open it, open it,’ Kate urged.

‘Oh, girls!’ Esther exclaimed as she opened the beautifully wrapped box. ‘Oh my Lord, this is beautiful.’ She held up the diamond-encrusted bangle and slipped it on to
her wrist, twisting it this way and that as the children oohed and aahed.

‘You can wear it tonight to the—’ Olivia gave her a dig in the ribs. ‘To . . . to the meal out,’ Alison stuttered, aghast that she’d nearly let it slip
again.

‘
You
must be hungry, love,’ Liam interjected. ‘Sit down there and I’ll cook you some breakfast.’

‘Is there any of Mam’s homemade brown bread?’ Alison asked wistfully. ‘I’d love a slice of that. I couldn’t eat a fry. I’m too excited to be
home.’

‘There’s a fresh loaf and a currant loaf and plenty of scones.’ Esther couldn’t take her eyes off her gift.

‘Cam we have some?’ piped up Ellie, and her mother darted her a glare. Olivia was constantly warning the children not to be asking for food at their Gran’s, to absolutely no
avail.

‘Of course you can, pet.’ Esther laughed at the hopeful anticipation in her grandchild’s voice.

‘A feast,’ Alison declared as the doorbell rang.

‘Who would that be on a wet Saturday morning?’ Esther wondered.

‘I’ll get it.’ Alison, who was nearest the door, stood up.

She knew when she saw the stooped outline and the shape of a hat through the frosted glass of the front door exactly who it was.

‘Uncle Leo!’ She beamed with pleasure when she opened the door to find him standing in the porch with a small tree in a container.

‘It’s yourself! Ah, lassie, you’re a treat for sore eyes.’ Her uncle’s face lit up and he gave her a big bear hug, knocking his hat off in the process. ‘When
did you get home?’

‘About an hour ago.’ She smiled as she stepped back to let him in.

‘Let me get the present for Esther.’ He bent with difficulty to pick up the container, and she felt a pang of dismay as she saw how stiff he was. It was the first time she’d
ever really noticed that both her parents were getting on in years and that it was starting to show. Now Leo was leaning heavily on his stick as he limped into the kitchen. Suddenly she was glad
she was home for Christmas. She’d forgotten how important family was, she thought guiltily, remembering her trips to Aspen and the Caribbean the previous two years. Olivia really did mind
them all, she thought, remembering vaguely her sister’s last email about having to bring Leo for some breathing test.

‘Happy Birthday, Esther.’ Leo thrust the container at his sister-in-law. ‘It’s an acer, a Japanese maple, I know you’re fond of them. It’s a very fine
specimen, I got good advice from a gardener chap I know. In fact he got it for me, and it’s the best that could be got.’

‘Ah Leo, you’re very thoughtful,’ Esther said, touched. ‘Thank you so much. Come in and sit down and have a cup of tea and a scone. Michael, would you take the tree off
Leo and put it in the back?’ She smiled at her son-in-law.

‘You’re welcome, and thanks for the offer of the tea. I see the gang’s all here.’ He rubbed his hands in delight as the twins flung themselves at him.

‘Uncle Leo, will you play sword fights with us with your walking stick?’ Kate begged. It was one of their favourite games. ‘Please, Uncle Leo,’ Lia urged, clasping her
hands together in supplication.

‘After we’ve had the tea,’ Olivia ordered, bringing the pot to the table. Liam placed a basket of scones and a plate of sliced currant and brown bread on the table.

‘I’ll get the jam and marmalade.’ Alison went to the cupboard.

‘And get the butter while you’re at it,’ Esther reminded her, ‘and don’t forget the jam spoon.’

Alison smiled to herself. Esther was a stickler for not allowing buttery knives into the jam and marmalade and had always insisted on them using jam spoons. Neither would she allow a carton of
milk on the table. Milk was always poured from a jug.

She turned from the fridge and took in the scene before her. Ellie was sitting on Esther’s lap looking at her birthday cards. Liam was putting knives and plates on the table, Olivia was
pouring the tea, Michael was pouring a cup of milk for Ellie, the twins sat on either side of Uncle Leo telling him about a ‘real’ fight in the schoolyard. The kitchen was snug and warm
as the rain hammered on the windows. She exhaled as tension seeped away. Coming home was the best thing she could have done for herself after the battering her confidence and finances had
taken.

And, although she’d never really understood it or acknowledged it before, her coming home was a joyful thing for her family. It was a closing of the circle, and the falling economy and
gloom and doom of the recession could make no dent in it, or prevail against that powerful force of energy that a united family gives. She might have lost material wealth and possessions, but she
was enriched beyond measure by all the love, joy and goodwill that was in this homely kitchen right now. Family was all that mattered at the end of the day, Alison acknowledged gladly as she went
to join her loved ones at the table.

‘Oh, you’ve done a great job of the room, Alison. Well done!’ Olivia exclaimed later that afternoon as she stood beside her sister and gazed around the
private room of the Golden Dragon. The rectangular table at the top where the family were to be seated looked on to several circular tables, where the guests would sit. Alison had fashioned small
wreaths of holly, ivy, evergreen and yellow roses on every table. In the centre of each wreath three votive candles in small glass holders were ready to be lit.

An artful display of massed poinsettias and cream candles stood on top of a gleaming mahogany sideboard, where champagne glasses on trays stood waiting for their fizzy sparkling liquid. The two
windowsills were draped with greenery, with red and gold ribbons entwined through the branches matching the red gold-flock paper on the walls. It was very tastefully done and gave the room a touch
of class. It was almost dark outside, and the small red lamps dotted along the walls poured soft light into the room, giving a cosy, intimate ambiance.

‘Glad you like it,’ Alison said, pleased with the effect herself. ‘What else do you want me to do?’

‘Umm, we have the cake, and the music is sorted. And champagne will be served as the guests come in; the glasses are ready. I think we have everything covered.’ Olivia bit her thumb
nail in concentration.

‘And you’re sure about place names?’ Alison said.

‘Let them sit where they want. That way the ones that don’t get on don’t have to end up sitting beside each other,’ Olivia said firmly.

‘Pity we had to ask Bert and Tessa and those two obnoxious sons of theirs.’ Alison frowned.

‘They’re Dad and Leo’s family, and you know Mam would have been upset if we hadn’t. You know what she’s like for doing the right thing.’

‘Indeed I do,’ said Alison, with a heartfelt sigh, and Olivia laughed.

‘I hate the way they just assume they’re going to get Leo’s land and they never even bother their fat backsides to help him out. One day I went over and he was trying to sweep
out the yard, and he’s not able for it any more. Michael went over and did it the next day for him, but that pair wouldn’t even call to see if he’s alive.’ Olivia
grimaced.

‘You see, if we did place names we could put them beside Mrs Harney . . .’ Alison said wickedly.

‘Don’t tempt me.’ Olivia laughed. Mrs Harney was an elderly widow who lived alone. She was a close neighbour, and Esther was always very kind to her. She could be brusque at
times and never held back if she had something to say. She didn’t mix much with people in the village, but she liked Esther and welcomed their chats. Olivia had invited her knowing that Mrs
Harney would have been mortally wounded if she hadn’t been invited, but she hadn’t expected her to accept.

‘I’m not one for parties. I don’t like them at all. And I don’t like foreign food. I don’t trust it. But your mother’s been very good to me so I’ll be
there, I wouldn’t let her down,’ she had informed Olivia with a martyred air, much to Olivia’s dismay. She’d only asked her out of politeness.

‘Anyway, we haven’t time for place names. Everyone can fend for themselves – it’s not a wedding,’ Olivia decided briskly. ‘We need to get home and get changed
ourselves, and I’ve to get the girls ready.’

‘Right, you’re the boss,’ Alison said, giving a yawn.

‘Glad you know your place.’ Her sister smiled as they switched out the lights and made their way downstairs.

‘It’s going to be wonderful to have Alison home for Christmas, isn’t it?’ Esther said to her husband as he pulled the curtains on the cold, dark evening
and switched on the lamp. The fire was blazing up the chimney, the flames casting flickering hues on the wall. ‘Sit down here beside me for a few minutes before we get dressed up to go
out.’ She patted the sofa.

‘That’s the best invitation I’ve had all day.’ Liam smiled at her, and she cuddled in against his shoulder and slid her arm around him.

‘How lucky are we?’ she murmured, content in the circle of his arms.

‘Very,’ he agreed. ‘Wasn’t it a great surprise the girls had planned for us? I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw Alison.’

‘I know. You could have knocked me down with a feather. It was one of the happiest moments of my life having us all together this morning. I’m really looking forward to our meal. I
hope Alison won’t be too tired.’

‘Well, Olivia was very firm about getting her home to bed.’ Liam rubbed his thumb gently across the back of Esther’s hand, where she’d scratched it on a rose bush doing
some gardening earlier.

‘Will you be very firm about getting
me
home to bed?’ Esther teased, her eyes dancing in the firelight.

‘There’s no hope for you, Esther Dunwoody.’ Liam gave a hearty laugh, but he lowered his head and kissed his beloved wife soundly.

‘My goodness, ladies, what cool-looking clothes. Very SJP, Kate. Love the puffball skirt, Lia,’ Alison approved, as the twins appeared at her bedroom door all
dressed and ready to go, awaiting the promised lipstick.

‘Just a light touch,’ Olivia warned, her damp hair sticking up as she stood on the landing in her bra and pants ironing a pair of black trousers.

‘I’ll do that for you – go and put your make-up on and dry your hair,’ Alison offered. Her sister was flushed and harassed-looking, having bathed the girls and washed and
blow-dried their hair.

‘Oh thanks, Ali. It’s typical – I’m never organized to go out, and end up slapping make-up on to my red face because I’ve been rushing,’ Olivia moaned.

‘Look, stop panicking, you go and pick up the parents. I’ll go with the girls to the restaurant, and Michael can go and pick up Uncle Leo while the ladies here’ – she
winked at her nieces – ‘and I do the meet and greet—’

‘What’s that?’ asked Kate, whirling around in her purple flared skirt, which she wore over black leggings.

‘We meet the guests and greet them and thank them for coming,’ Alison explained.

‘Who are the guests?’ Her niece looked perplexed.

‘We’re having a surprise party for Gran. We all have to shout “Surprise! Surprise!” when she comes in,’ Alison explained, enjoying the look of delight and
excitement on their faces.

‘Deadly,’ enthused Kate.

‘Do we have to shake hands?’ Lia asked, not sure if meeting and greeting was as good as it sounded, and not too sure about shouting ‘Surprise! Surprise!’ She was easily
mortified compared to her more outgoing sisters.

‘No, not at all,’ Alison assured her. ‘I’ll do that.’ The twins were chalk and cheese: Kate so airy-fairy and Lia so earnest and serious, although she had a great
sense of humour and the most delightful giggle.

‘Cam I, emm . . . cam I do the thing too?’ Ellie asked anxiously, having just trotted into the room in her finery, eyes like saucers, and determined not to be left out.

‘You can of course, sweetheart. Now let me iron your mom’s trousers and then I’ll put on your lipstick and off we go.’ Alison was enjoying herself immensely. Her nieces
were at a fun age, and she loved that they had become more grown-up and were so into fashion, clothes and make-up.

But Olivia was right about the lack of free time, Alison reflected. Her sister never seemed to get a minute to herself. It was constantly, ‘Mom, can I do this?’ ‘Mom, can I
have that?’ ‘Mom, will you fix this for me?’ ‘Mom, she won’t give me my Nintendo.’ It was never-ending. What a pity she had to count her pennies, Alison thought
regretfully. It would have been lovely to treat her sister to a spa day somewhere. Maybe she’d get her a facial in a beauty salon in Malahide or Skerries, she decided, running the iron over
Olivia’s trousers.

Alison yawned as tiredness and jet lag smote her. She’d gone to bed around eleven, and fallen into a deep sleep in the lovely warm bed that her sister had so thoughtfully heated with the
electric blanket. Olivia had woken her at two thirty and given her lunch, and then they’d gathered the greenery, holly and ivy that Michael had cut for them, collected the flowers from the
florist and gone to the restaurant, where Alison had spent an hour and a half decorating the room after sending Olivia off to get the candles and ribbons.