The Woman Who Destroyed Christmas Read online

  The

  Woman

  Who

  Destroyed

  Christmas

  by

  M J Hardy

  Copyrighted Material

  Copyright © M J Hardy 2019

  M J Hardy has asserted her rights under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the Author of this work.

  This book is a work of fiction and except in the case of historical fact, any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without written permission of the author, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages for review purposes only.

  Contents

  Have you Read

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  Note from the Author

  Other books

  Have you read:

  Learn More

  If true and unconditional love exists in this world, then it has to be the love between a mother and a child.

  Urvashi Rautela

  The Woman Who Destroyed Christmas

  How far would you go to protect your daughter?

  When Alice Adams met her daughter’s boyfriend, she was far from impressed. He was everything she didn’t want for her little girl and so decided to give fate a helping hand.

  Luckily, they were invited to spend Christmas with his family which was just the opportunity she needed. Three days to ruin their relationship and save her daughter from a lifetime of regrets.

  However, Alice has secrets she hopes her daughter will never discover. In interfering with fate, she unlocks the past with devastating consequences.

  As the snow falls and the sleigh bells ring, this will be one Christmas they will all want to forget. There are more than presents under this Christmas tree and as they unwrap the past, the future will never be the same again.

  Alice Adams thought she was prepared this Christmas – she was wrong.

  Prologue

  Standing by my husband’s grave watching his coffin lowered into the ground is the best feeling in the world.

  My eyes are disguised by dark glasses and I wear black to mourn the fact that I married him in the first place.

  The rain beats down on the few people who bothered to come and I shiver a little. Even the heavens weep that such a man was ever born and as I stare at the empty void his carcass now fills, I pity the part of nature that will have to deal with his decomposition.

  The priest says a few chosen words and commits his body to the ground. ‘Ashes to ashes, dust to dust,’ words that are music to my ears.

  I stand straight-backed and emotionless as the priest nods for me to approach the grave. He steps back to give me space and I kneel and grasp a handful of earth that sticks to my fingers with the tears of Heaven. It’s befitting he is lowered underground because that is sure to be where he is now. In Hell. Sent there by his own choices in life and the actions of a sinner.

  Standing straight, I peer into the void and imagine him chained to Satan himself. I relish the sounds of his torture as his soul burns in hell for eternity.

  I roll the earth around my fingers and resist the urge to spit on his coffin instead. No, this charade will have to go on for a few moments longer because, after all, I’m good at it.

  As I offer a silent prayer of thanks that he was taken, I allow the dirt in my hand to join the one beneath my feet.

  My heart sings as I watch it hit the wooden casket with a thud and picture his bitter, twisted face staring up at me in the reality of his death.

  A small hand slips into mine and a tiny voice says with a quiver, “Mummy, I’m cold.”

  Bending down, I pull her coat a little tighter around her shoulders and smile. “Don’t worry, darling. Mummy will look after you. Nothing will ever harm you all the time I’m here.”

  I see the confused face staring up at me as she bites her bottom lip. She takes a look into the giant void and frowns. “Is that daddy?”

  I hear the sobs around me as the mourners watch the devastating scene and I shake my head. “No, darling. Daddy is in Heaven with the Angels like I told you. The coffin just holds his body because he no longer has any need for it.”

  She smiles sweetly and my heart constricts with the purest love. Yes, I would do anything for my daughter - even lie because she is the most important person in the world to me and I will never let anyone hurt her all the time I live.

  1

  Lily

  “I think she liked you.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Of course, I’m sure. She is my mother, after all.”

  “I think she’s still watching us.”

  Grinning, I turn around and wave at my mother as she peers through the window. Laughing, I blow her a kiss and take Oliver’s hand in mine. “Thanks for that.”

  “What?”

  “Sitting through twenty questions. You did well though.”

  “Do you think?” He groans and flicks the lock on the car before opening the passenger door like the true gentleman he is.

  It doesn’t take long before we leave the little street that I call home and head towards the dual carriageway. Oliver, turns on the stereo and the car fills with the latest tracks on Spotify and he breathes a huge sigh of relief. “Well, at least that’s out of the way. I was a little nervous, but she seems nice.”

  “She is, the best actually.”

  I can tell that Oliver wants to say something but probably doesn’t want to hurt my feelings and I know just what it is. My mother is one of the nicest people you would ever want to meet but even I know she is a little over the top sometimes. Maybe it’s because I’m all she’s got; she’s always been a little overprotective. Not that it should concern me but sometimes it’s a little stifling.

  I know Oliver got a grilling back there. I did pre-warn him but it was worse than usual. That bothers me a little because it’s important that my mother likes him.

  Looking at him with a sideways glance, my heart beats a little faster as it always does around him and I congratulate myself on finding him in the first place. Oliver Buckland is one of a kind; popular, good looking, funny and thoughtful. Everyone knows Oliver at Uni because he’s their star football player and number one on every girl’s ‘to do’ list. Now he’s mine and I still can’t believe my luck.

  “Are you sure she liked me?”

  I hear the worry in his voice which makes me smile. For someone who has it all, he is still a little insecure which makes him even more attractive. Reachin
g across, I grasp his hand and give it a squeeze. “She loved you, Oliver. The fact she asked you so many questions means she could tell I was serious about you. I don’t make a habit of taking guys home to meet my mum, you should be honoured.”

  “I am, it’s been a long time coming and I’m glad we finally did it. You know, as far as I’m concerned that was the biggest hurdle we had to face. Now she knows, we can breathe a sigh of relief and start living a normal life with no secrets.”

  His words remind me why I kept quiet about him for so long. What we didn’t tell my mum was that we have been dating seriously for six months already. I never once told her I had fallen completely in love with the most sought-after student on campus and I suppose it was because I couldn’t believe he would stay with me. But he did and now with our finals just a few months away, we have the rest of our lives to plan out – together. Yes, my mother had to meet Oliver because ultimately, he will be part of our family one day and not coming from a large one myself, I want that more than anything.

  By the time we reach campus, I feel tired. It’s been a long day, and the evening spent with my mother was draining. As we park outside the halls of residence he reaches over and drags my lips to his.

  Making out in the car with Oliver is every girl’s dream. I know the blinds will be twitching as the other students look out and see his unmistakable car. Oliver comes from money and drives the biggest Range Rover any student has ever had. He really does have everything and so do I – him.

  Groaning against my lips, he says huskily, “Come back with me tonight. I hate leaving you here.”

  Laughing, I push him back a little and say firmly. “Not tonight, you know I have that essay that’s due in first thing. If I’m going to pass these exams, then I need to step up a gear. I’ll see you tomorrow though, breakfast in the Pitstop, usual place?”

  He grins and as my heart melts I feel my resolve weakening. I would love to spend every minute of every day and night with him but Mrs Ellwood my economics lecturer is so scary it acts as a good deterrent.

  After one more long, lingering kiss, I reluctantly leave the car and head to my dorm and a night spent with google and my economics essay.

  My roomie is already in bed and appears to be watching Netflix on her iPad with a million crisp packets littering the bed. She looks up in surprise as I push the door open.

  “Hey, Lily, I didn’t expect you back tonight, is everything ok?”

  I don’t miss the hope in her eyes because like everyone else, Nancy idolises Oliver and they are all waiting in the wings for our relationship to end. Feeling a little smug, I shake my head. “Yes, it’s all good but unfortunately I have an essay to finish by the morning. I’ll be at it all night, so if you like, I’ll head to the library so I don’t disturb you.”

  Shaking her head, she casts her iPad aside and sits up looking interested. “So, how did it go? Come on, what did your mother think of Oliver?”

  I sit on her bed and grin. “I think she liked him, well, how could she not? He was polite, attentive and answered her questions with good grace and humour. I don’t think he put a foot wrong.”

  “Great, so what next?”

  Shrugging, I pick up my folder and iPad. “My essay.”

  “Not that you idiot. I mean, obviously we break up next week for Christmas, will you get to see darling Oliver over the festive period, or will you have to endure Christmas apart?”

  She grins because everyone knows we are inseparable and once again, I feel a little smug as I say, “Actually, Oliver’s parents have invited us to spend Christmas with them. We arrive on Christmas Eve and leave on Boxing day. They thought it would be good to meet my mother, and she was surprisingly quite excited about it.”

  “Man, you lucky…”

  I hold up my hand. “I know - you don’t have to say it.”

  As I gather my things, I think back to the look in my mother’s eye when Oliver extended his mother’s invitation. She looked excited and, to my surprise, accepted it eagerly. It surprised me because we have always spent Christmas together in the flat. In fact, it’s always just been the two of us ever since dad died and I thought she would hate the idea.

  Pushing aside any thoughts of Christmas, I reach for my books. Christmas will have to wait because getting through the next week is much more important.

  2

  “This is so difficult. I don’t know the first thing about them so what on earth should I buy?”

  I laugh to myself because, as usual, mum looks worried. “They won’t expect you to buy them anything. Just some smellies or something along those lines.”

  Mum sighs and I leave her looking at the rows of boxed toiletries and head over to the make-up counter. We’ve been at the mall for hours now along with half of the population it would seem. Last minute Christmas shopping is never a good idea, and I regret agreeing to help mum buy some gifts for Oliver’s family. She’s right, it is the right thing to do, after all, you can’t accept an invitation to stay at somebody’s home for Christmas without taking your hosts gifts.

  Finally, she decides on two toiletry sets and we make our way to the local coffee shop. As we head inside, I see the line to order is long and my heart sinks. Turning to mum, I say kindly, “Why don’t you grab a seat and I’ll order.”

  She fumbles in her bag and hands me some money, “Ok, but take this. You’re still a student and can’t be expected to buy me things when you need all the money you can get.”

  I know better than to argue, so I accept it graciously and study my phone as I wait.

  Oliver has texted me six times since we arrived and I smile as I see the latest one.

  I miss you sooo much. When will you be back?

  I dash off a quick reply.

  Another couple of hours I expect. What do you have planned for this evening?

  I laugh as a massive love heart spins into view and there are no prizes for guessing what’s on his mind. In fact, it’s always on mine too. Don’t get me wrong, we enjoy many nights out and get invited to most of the parties but the best nights are the ones we spend when it’s just the two of us. More often it starts with a movie and a takeaway pizza and ends up in bed before the film even ends.

  Oliver shares a house with three other students just outside the university. It’s not cheap but his parents pay for him to live in comfort while he supposedly studies. He’s lucky because he appears to be good at everything. He’s amazing at sport and even aces his studies. He never has to try too hard which is why I’m a little behind. I’m not that lucky and have been neglecting my studies ever since I met him. I know my mum would be angry if she found out I was slipping and I feel bad. We’ve never had much money and I know she works two jobs to send me to university and I feel terrible that I’m failing because of my relationship.

  Glancing over, I see her chatting to someone by the window and as I look again, I see Nancy laughing at something she is saying.

  By the time I’ve been served and make my way across to them they are deep in conversation and look up slightly guiltily as I say, “Honestly, why does it take so long to make a cup of coffee these days?”

  Nancy laughs as I grin. “Hey, babe. I didn’t know you were in town. You could have shared a lift with us.”

  “Now you tell me. It took me ages to get here on the train but I forgot I needed to pick up a picture that I had made for my parents.”

  I note the large package at her feet. “What is it?”

  “Me, of course. Who wouldn’t want a picture of their pride and joy at Christmas?”

  Mum laughs. “I would. I think it’s a lovely present, Nancy. So thoughtful.”

  She frowns. “I still don’t know what to get for Oliver’s father though. Do you know if he drinks gin?”

  I feel a little uncomfortable with Nancy listening and shake my head. “No, I don’t think he drinks.”

  “What, at all?”

  I shrug and try to change the subject. “I’m not sure but you can’t go wrong
with socks and a body spray. Shall we check out Boots after this?”

  Mum nods and Nancy leans forward. “Listen, have you heard?”

  “What?”

  “Sadie Carmichael’s pregnant.”

  I stare at her in shock and mum looks disapproving.

  “Isn’t she the girl who took your place on the debating team?”

  I feel uncomfortable as Nancy grins. What mum doesn’t know is that I gave up my place to spend more time with Oliver. I told her that Sadie had taken my place because they considered her better than me, so I just nod. “Yes, goodness, who’s the father?”

  Nancy shrugs. “Nobody knows but there are several rumours as you would expect.”

  Mum looks interested and I feel her disapproval from here.

  Nancy loves nothing more than to gossip and whispers, “Millie Farmer found the ultra-scan in the bathroom bin. Apparently, Sadie was the last one in there and so it must be hers. When Millie asked her, she went completely mad and screamed the place down. Obviously, she didn’t want that little secret to come out. I mean, she’s been polishing that innocence of hers all the time she’s been here but I’ve heard different.”

  I feel uncomfortable as mum leans forward and says in the same whisper, “What do you know?”

  “Well, Lewis Butler told everyone he had her on the night of the Halloween disco. Do you remember, Lily, she was dressed as a devil and was last seen disappearing upstairs with him? Not so innocent after all it would seem. Maybe he’s the father, or maybe it’s someone else entirely. They say the quiet ones are the worst.”

  Mum looks shocked and I feel a little awkward. It’s one thing gossiping with my fellow students but the last thing I want is for my mother to see what life is really like on campus.

  She shakes her head sadly. “That’s terrible, the poor girl. She could ruin her life because of one reckless moment.”