The Christmas Swap by Sandy Barker

Author:Sandy Barker [Barker, Sandy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780008390044
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Published: 2020-10-15T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter 19

Jules

“Hi, Dad! Merry Christmas!”

“Hi, sweetheart. Same to you, although it’s the twenty-sixth, there, huh?”

“Boxing Day, yes.”

“The Canadians call it that too, although I’ve never met one who could explain why.”

“Same here. As far as I can gather, it’s a lot like the Friday after Thanksgiving—leftovers, watching Netflix, and lounging about in a food coma. It’s also ninety-eight degrees today, so we’re inside with the A/C on.”

“I can’t even fathom that. It’s a balmy five degrees here today.”

As much as she missed her family, especially her dad, Jules was glad to be where she was. “So, what’s going on? The usual craziness?” she asked.

“You guessed it. I just finished cleaning up after breakfast.” She could imagine the giant spread—cinnamon rolls, pancakes, bacon, and eggs. Her dad’s Christmas Day breakfasts were legendary. “I think we’ll be opening presents soon.”

Jules knew the scene by heart—the giant scraggly Christmas tree decorated in popcorn and paper chains, just like when they were kids, surrounded by a mountain of presents which would turn into a mountain of discarded wrapping paper over the course of an hour. She’d always been someone who enjoyed the giving part more than the receiving, waiting to see the delight on her family’s faces as they unwrapped what she hoped were the perfect presents.

And not that she was ungrateful, but it was rare that she received something she wouldn’t buy for herself if she wanted it. Her best present last year had been from her dad. He’d gifted her a chunk of air miles, enough for an international flight. Actually, his gift had “paid” for her flight to Australia, but it was the thought that counted most to Jules, that message of, “I see you, that you need to go and explore this world. Here, go and see some of it on me.”

“Take photos for me, Dad?”

“For sure, sweetheart.”

“Especially of the tree,” she laughed. “How bad is it this year?” As much as her family Christmases felt claustrophobic at times, she cherished their tradition of finding the worst tree in the forest—one that no one else would want—then draping it in as many homemade decorations as possible. Chloe would have hated it, she realised, thinking of the department-store-ready tree that dominated the living room.

“We have hit optimal awfulness, an extremely poor specimen. But I think it may have baffled Lucy. I’m guessing from her reaction that you didn’t warn her.”

Jules laughed, “Oh, no, poor Lucy! I totally forgot about that.” The thought made a U-turn in her mind as she remembered that things weren’t right with Lucy—totally her doing. Feeling the sting of remorse, she added, “Hey, Dad, so how is Lucy?”

“Oh, sweetheart, if we can’t have you here, it’s almost as good having Lucy. She’s a doll.”

Jules gulped down the lump in her throat.

“Is she there? Can I talk to her?”

“Sure. Hold on.” She could tell her dad was on the move, because the screen blurred, and she had to look away so she didn’t get motion sickness.

Her mom’s face appeared on the screen.

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