True Love at Christmas by Duncan Juliette

Author:Duncan, Juliette [Duncan, Juliette]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Published: 2016-12-03T05:00:00+00:00

After they’d had drinks and nibbles, Margaret busied herself preparing the spare rooms for their unexpected guests. The girls helped before showering and heading to bed.

Harrison left soon after, promising to return early the next morning with Zoe.

Christmas morning dawned bright and clear and Margaret and Harold’s house was a beehive of activity. The atmosphere was one of expectation and everyone was full of laughter, all faces radiating joy and happiness as they gathered around the dining room table for breakfast.

“I’ve only prepared toast and fruit,” Margaret said. “I didn’t make much because we’ll be eating a big lunch later. I hope that’s all right with everyone. Of course, there’s coffee for us adults and juice and milk for the little ones.” Her heart was full, and she just wanted to make sure they were all taken care of.

“A light breakfast is perfectly fine,” Sophie said. “I think we’re all more excited about opening presents than we are about eating.”

Chloe nodded in agreement. “Especially Lachlan. The little guy hasn’t moved from the tree since he woke up.”

Margaret’s hands flew to her cheeks. “Oh, no! I completely forgot about the presents.”

“What do you mean?” Sophie asked.

“Your mother doesn’t mean we forgot to buy presents,” Harold said. “We bought plenty, but we posted them when we discovered we couldn’t travel.” He sighed. “I’m sorry, it’s all my fault. Right now, those presents are probably sitting on your front porches, hopefully not buried in snow.”

“Don’t be upset, Dad. You didn’t know we were coming.” Sophie placed a comforting arm around her father’s shoulders. “It won’t hurt us to wait until we get back to London to open them.”

“But still…it would have been nice to have them here for you.” Margaret squeezed Sophie’s hand.

“This warm Australian weather is a gift in itself,” Alastair said, leaning back in his chair and stretching his arms above his head, turning to look at Harold. “We should play a round of golf sometime.”

Harold opened his mouth to answer but was interrupted by the ringing of the doorbell. He went to answer it and returned with Harrison and Zoe. They both wore reindeer antler headbands and their arms were stacked with presents.

“Merry Christmas, everyone!” Harrison’s face beamed as his gaze travelled around the table. “Hope no-one minds us playing Santa for a bit.” He chuckled as he and Zoe set the presents underneath the tree with the others.

“Harrison—they’re the gifts I gave you to post!” Margaret raced after him and leaned down to check them. Yes, definitely them.

Harrison straightened and placed his hands on Margaret’s shoulders. “Ha! Remember the day you told me you were going to post the presents to London, and I offered to post them for you?”

Margaret nodded.

“Well, I didn’t actually post them because I knew what was happening. I just took them home.”

Margaret couldn’t contain the smile on her face as she embraced Harrison and then Zoe. “Thank you both, this is marvellous. You really did surprise me.” Margaret reached for Zoe’s hand. “Now Zoe, come and meet the family.

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