Christmas for One by Amanda Prowse

Author:Amanda Prowse [Prowse, Amanda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781781856536
Publisher: Head of Zeus Ltd.

11

Sir Christopher Heritage was Bill’s uncle, the brother of Isabel, Bill’s mother, which made the connections within this little family unit even more intricate. When his Jag pulled off the motorway, Meg knew they were getting close to Mountfield, Isabel’s vast Queen Anne mansion. It was undeniably a beautiful house, boasting the obligatory Aga, boot room, kennel and stables, all set in sweeping grounds; these days, however, it had become a rather grand prison, holding too many memories for Isabel to walk away from and yet also, following the loss of her husband and son, now little more than a shell with the heart ripped from it.

‘Do you think Isabel will mind Lucas and me not being around for Christmas?’ Meg asked from the back seat.

‘Knowing Isabel in the way that I do, I’d say that she will definitely mind.’ Pru turned to face her and rolled her eyes. ‘But the thing is, Meg, it’s about what is best for you and ultimately Lucas, not what’s best for Isabel or anyone else.’

‘I do love you, Pru!’ Meg felt the need to share this, a rare and open admission on her part.

‘The feeling, my darling girl, is entirely mutual.’ Pru reached backwards over the gear stick and patted her calf.

The car eventually swept up the drive of Mountfield, Bill’s childhood home.

‘I can see some reindeers!’ Lucas screamed as he bobbed up and down on his booster seat, pointing excitedly at the display on the lawn.

Isabel had for once thrown good taste out of the window in her effort to delight her grandson and she had truly outdone herself. Six illuminated garish plastic reindeer, harnessed in pairs and wearing red collars and wide toothy grins, pulled a sled that bulged with gigantic plastic presents and oversized candy canes. The whole thing was lit from within and in the gloom of the December day it shone like a beacon at four-year-old Lucas. He was already beyond excited. His uncle Christopher had given him a steering wheel and he had ‘driven’ all the way from London. Thankfully his engine noise, achieved through a form of raspberry blowing, had exhausted itself before they hit the motorway. He did however manage to raise his fist and shout, ‘You bloody idiot!’ at the car ahead that had braked and turned without warning on the A40, perfectly imitating his uncle in the front seat. Meg had snickered while Pru had glared at her husband with a look of thunder.

‘Is it going to fly up into the sky?’ Lucas asked, wide-eyed, pointing to the majestic sleigh.

‘I don’t think so, mate.’ Meg stifled her giggles. As if the display wasn’t impressive enough, he wanted flight as well.

‘You need to tell Granny Isabel that you would really like to see it fly!’ Christopher encouraged Lucas.

‘Don’t be mean!’ Pru dug her husband with her elbow, knowing he wouldn’t miss a chance to wind up his sister and take the gloss off her efforts.

The shiny green double front door with its lion’s-mouth knocker

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