The Woman Who Destroyed Christmas Read online

  Nancy laughs. “I don’t think it was just one Mrs Adams. Word is she’s pretty wild under that twinset she wears.”

  She looks at her phone and groans. “Heavens, I must go. I’m meeting my brother in five minutes to help him choose a gift for mum. He’s hopeless and we usually grab the first thing he sees. Anyway, see you later Lily, nice to chat with you, Mrs Adams.”

  We watch her rush outside and mum sighs heavily. “That poor girl, Sadie what’s her name? I wonder what she’ll do.”

  “Who knows, anyway, we should get going too. Time is pressing on and we need to finish this list.”

  As we walk away from the coffee shop, I think about Sadie Carmichael. She’s a pretty girl but overly studious to the point of being a nerd. I don’t blame her for having her head turned because Lewis Butler is another one considered quite a catch. He’s on the team with Oliver and I know they don’t get on. A little bit of rivalry that stems from the time Lewis hit on me at a party one night. He didn’t know that Oliver and I had hooked up only the week before and didn’t really deserve the thumping Oliver gave him. As I think about that night, I feel the bad taste in my mouth returning. I don’t like violence and especially not over me. Oliver was extremely apologetic afterwards and I know it was mainly the drink inside him talking but still. He’s never lost control like that again which I’m glad about because I’m not sure if I could be with a guy who fights.

  “Lily, darling, do you think I should get a new outfit to wear on Christmas day?”

  Turning, I see mum holding up a beautiful green dress and smile.

  “Yes, that’s gorgeous, it suits you.”

  She heads off to try it on and I sigh inside. I wonder if this was such a good idea; I don’t even know Oliver’s family that well myself but they apparently insisted.

  Another text flashes on my screen and I laugh at the picture of Oliver blowing me a kiss. At least he’ll be there, that’s the main thing, after all.

  3

  By the time we return home I almost don’t have time for a cup of tea before I must leave to meet Oliver.

  However, mum insists and as I wait in the familiar, comfortable kitchen that always seems to be full of love she says with interest.

  “Tell me about Oliver’s family. I should know a few things before I meet them.”

  “I don’t know what to say, really. To be honest, I don’t know them that well myself.”

  “He must have spoken about them, surely?”

  Nodding, I take the mug of tea gratefully. “His mum doesn’t work, she stays at home - you know, a housewife.”

  Mum looks a little irritated. “Why can’t she work?”

  I shrug. “I think she could if she wanted to but they are fairly well off so I don’t think she has to.”

  Shaking her head, mum sits down on the opposite side of the table. “Well, it’s not right.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because women shouldn’t let themselves be controlled by a man. They should earn their own money and have their independence.”

  Sighing, I try to dodge the conversation that’s a favourite with her. “Anyway, for whatever reason, she doesn’t work. His father’s an accountant and owns his own company. He works a lot which is why she probably runs the home. It takes the pressure off him so that when he gets home, he can relax.”

  I quickly carry on because from the look in mum’s eyes she doesn’t agree with that either.

  “He also has a brother, Toby. He’s a graphic designer and works in Leeds. I think he has a flat there but comes home to visit a lot.”

  “Does he have a girlfriend?”

  “I’m not sure? Maybe.”

  Sighing, mum takes a sip of her tea and says rather irritably. “I’d better get another gift just in case he brings someone. It’s terrible to be excluded on Christmas day of all days.”

  Setting my mug down, I say gently, “Listen, mum, don’t feel as if you have to buy for everyone. For all we know, they could have hordes of relatives descending on them on Christmas day. They wouldn’t expect you to bring a gift for everyone, so stop worrying about it.”

  She smiles but I can tell I haven’t convinced her.

  “So, what about his father, what did you say his name was?”

  “David.”

  “Yes, David, why doesn’t he drink gin?”

  Resisting the eye roll her question deserves, I shrug. “Listen, Oliver told me they don’t drink - any of them.”

  I feel her sharp stare stripping me bare and sigh. “If you must know, Oliver told me his dad has a drinking problem. Consequently, there is no alcohol allowed in the house. They don’t drink around him and just make fabulous mocktails instead.”

  She laughs softly. “Mocktails?”

  “Yes, non-alcoholic cocktails. That way they still have fun with none of the headaches afterwards.”

  Mum looks a little brighter and I can tell this is something she approves of.

  “Anything else I should know?”

  Standing, I smile and grab my bag. “If there is, I can’t think of it. Anyway, I must go because I have work that needs finishing before our final week. If I’m to enjoy Christmas with a clear conscience, I should really get going.”

  She walks with me to the door and hugs me warmly. “Thanks for taking the time to spend with me, darling. You know I appreciate it, especially as you’re working so hard. I’m incredibly proud of you, do you know that?”

  I feel a pang as my mother hugs me and feel bad. I hate lying to her and I know she thinks I’m some super student but I’m not. I barely scrape an average mark and I’m so far behind I’m just surprised I haven’t been summoned to the Dean’s office to explain myself. The trouble is - Oliver. I just want him and when it’s a choice between being cuddled up next to him in bed or swatting in the library, there’s no choice. He wins every time and I can’t shake the guilt that chokes me when my mother looks at me with so much pride in her eyes.

  Feeling as if I’m suffocating, I pull away and kiss her on the cheek.

  “Take care mum and don’t work too hard.”

  She nods and as I turn to leave, she pulls me back and presses some money into my hand. “Here you go, darling. Just a little something to keep you well-nourished.”

  I make to give it back but she fixes me with the look that tells me not to even try and says briskly. “Now go and make your mother proud.”

  As I head back to Uni, I feel like the worst daughter living. She deserves someone like Sadie Carmichael, not me. I am the worst daughter in the world and have dug myself a hole that it’s doubtful I’ll make it out of alive.

  4

  The party’s in full swing as we head inside and I feel the stares as we walk through the crowds. This is the last night of Uni before Christmas and everyone’s out to get smashed. Being with Oliver is easy. He’s one of the most popular guys on campus and as his girlfriend, I go where he goes. I know the other girls are jealous of me and I love that he’s mine and has no problem showing his devotion in public. He is attentive, charming and caring and makes every other guy here look like a poor second best. The envious looks as he fusses over me makes my heart sing and when he kisses me in full view of everyone, I absolutely love it.

  So that’s why something feels different tonight.

  For the first time since I met him, I am left on my own – a lot. In fact, as I stand chatting with my friends, I don’t even see him leave the room. Looking around, I say to Nancy, “Did you see where Oliver went?”

  She shrugs and looks behind me. “Nope, he’s not attached to you by that invisible cord you tether him to. Maybe he’s escaped.”

  Rolling my eyes, I try to look unconcerned. “He must be in the bathroom.”

  However, I find the conversation more stilted and the unease grips me as the minutes tick by and he still doesn’t appear. After a while Nancy nudges me and I see Sadie Carmichael almost running down the stairs looking upset. “Wow, it looks as if someone’s ruined her Christ
mas already. I wonder who?”

  An uneasy feeling grips me but I shrug and look unconcerned. “Who knows?”

  Looking around, I see Lewis Butler smooching with another girl on the dance floor and whisper, “I think there’s your answer, look.”

  Nancy follows my stare and laughs. “I think you’re right. Who’s that girl he’s with, anyway?”

  “Lola Francis. I think she’s studying drama.”

  Nancy laughs loudly. “She’s come to the right place then.”

  I feel a hand snake around my waist and feel Oliver’s lips brush my neck. “Here she is, my beautiful Lily flower.”

  His words are slurred and his breath stinks of alcohol making my heart sink. Nancy looks at him longingly and I feel a flash of irritation. Shrugging him off, I say loudly, “Nancy, do you fancy dancing with me?”

  She looks surprised as, without a backward glance, I pull her onto the dancefloor.

  “What’s going on?” She says in a whisper as I dance as if I haven’t got a care in the world. “He’s drunk, and that’s not good.”

  “Why, who are you, his mother?”

  I don’t answer her because I don’t have an answer. He can drink himself into a coma for all the business it is of mine, yet something unwelcome has taken over my reasoning and I know what it is – jealousy. I’m not sure why but Oliver’s up to something. I know him so well and for weeks now I’ve sensed a change in him. He seems distracted and never leaves his phone unguarded. On the odd nights I’ve been studying I heard rumours of his partying and whispers of other girls. He denies it all but there’s a part of me that’s just waiting for him to cheat on me. It’s the part of me that tells me I don’t deserve a guy like him. I’m not in the same league and so, it’s just a matter of time before he ditches me for someone who is. Sadie Carmichael perhaps. She certainly has money; her parents have a country house in the Cotswolds and their London residence. I know she holidays in Saint Tropez and goes skiing in Aspen. Yes, Oliver and Sadie should be together because that’s what nature probably intended.

  I try not to look but see his slightly wounded expression as he watches me from across the room. My heart lurches as I see a girl slide up to him and run her hand up and down his arm. I swallow hard as he half turns towards her and leans down as she whispers something in his ear and then his eyes find mine and an unspoken conversation passes between us. He knows and I know that he has the power to take that girl upstairs and there’s nothing I can do about it. I feel sick as he laughs at something she says and stares at me with triumph in his eyes. I continue to sway to the music as if I haven’t got a care in the world as I feel all eyes focused on us as the crowd senses a shift in the air.

  Then I watch as he shrugs the girl’s hand off his arm and says something to her that causes anger to flare in her eyes and a hurt expression to cross her face. Then he holds my eyes with his as he walks purposefully towards me, cutting through the crowd like a knife in butter.

  I feel the intensity as he reaches me and pulls me towards him roughly before kissing me hard and fast.

  Now there is nobody else in the room.

  Now the music ceases to exist and now all is right with the world. Yes, Oliver is Lily Adams’ guy and everyone knows it.

  Waking up the next morning beside Oliver is a luxury we will have to forego over Christmas. If my mother knew I was sleeping with him, all hell would break loose.

  I turn to look at the man who makes my heart beat faster and my principles desert me. He looks so perfect as he sleeps and I smile as I think back to last night. We left the party almost immediately and returned to his house. Sex with Oliver has always been good but last night it reached a new level. Maybe it was because of the friction between us or maybe it was because we know it’s the last time until after Christmas but my feelings threatened to overpower me and we couldn’t get enough of each other.

  Now, faced with the thought of Christmas with our families, not for the first time I wonder how on earth I got so lucky.

  5

  Florence

  As I straighten the cushion, I take a look around and sigh before checking the time on the clock. 11.00 am. Perfect.

  Almost on cue, the doorbell rings and I smooth down the non-existent creases in my skirt as I head to answer it.

  “Darling, you look amazing.”

  I air kiss my friend Celia as she pulls back and gushes. “I love your hair. Did you go for a new colour?”

  “Yes, Giovanni thought I would look good with a few blond highlights. I’m quite pleased with it actually.”

  “So you should be, darling. It’s taken years off you and is nowhere near as painful as the surgeon’s scalpel.”

  She laughs in that high-pitched, annoying way she has perfected over the years and looks around her with a critical eye. I feel guarded as I try to see my home through her eyes and almost hold my breath as I see a crooked cushion and a speck of dust on the mirror. Celia’s home is one hundred percent perfect. All the latest furnishings from the most expensive shops. On trend and bang up to date courtesy of the interior designer she appears to have on a retainer. A home so immaculate you almost don’t feel as if you can breathe for fear of tarnishing something.

  I follow her into my kitchen because Celia follows no one. She leads and the rest of us trail behind her and as she casts her eye around the gleaming surfaces, I feel anxious as I wait for her approval. Turning to face me, she smiles and places her bag on the counter. “You must tell me what diffuser you are using. Such a delightful scent, very seasonal.”

  Moving across to make the tea, I smile with relief. “I always use Jo Malone. A little expensive but worth it.”

  “Hmm yes, it pays to buy the best. You can always tell. You know, I visited Virginia last week and saw one from Next in her downstairs toilet. Can you imagine putting that one on full view for everyone to see. She could have at least decanted it into the one I bought her from Harrods for her birthday.”

  Nodding, I pity Virginia. The poor woman has probably got a lot more on her mind than decanting diffusers to appease her visitors and I sigh. “I feel sorry for her.”

  “Why, just because her daughter failed her A levels and didn’t get into Oxford? Some people always punch above their weight, anyway.”

  “No, because I heard Thomas could lose his job.”

  I note the sudden change in the air as Celia digests this new information that she has obviously not been privy to. “Is that a fact?”

  I can almost hear the cogs turning from here as she absorbs what I told her and works out what it means for our friendship group. Only high achievers and people with a disposable income need apply. I pity Virginia because as sure as Christmas is coming, she will soon be struck off the intimate circle of friends we belong to if Thomas loses his job.

  The doorbell rings again and my heart sinks. That’s probably her now and I wish I hadn’t said anything. Celia will no doubt be cool towards her and she’ll know I’m the one responsible.

  Excusing myself, I head off to greet her and as I open the door my heart sinks when I see the tears in her eyes. She moves inside and kisses me on both cheeks and I say softly, “Bad news?”

  Nodding, she looks behind me and I raise my eyes in warning. She understands and smiles sadly before whispering, “Bad news I’m afraid. As of the new year, Thomas will be…”

  She almost can’t say the word and then whispers, “Unemployed.”

  Before I can comment, we hear, “Virginia, darling, how pretty you look in pink. Come through, it’s been so long we really should catch up.”

  Throwing her a sympathetic look, I watch her head towards the eye of the storm knowing there is nothing I can do about it. Her fate is sealed and I feel bad for her. I wonder what this will mean for her family because I know that her house is mortgaged to the hilt. I hope they don’t have to move because of all my friends she’s the most genuine and I would miss her more than she knows.

  I leave them chatting and concentrate on m
aking the tea, making sure to arrange everything perfectly as is the norm at these gatherings.

  The doorbell rings again and I head off to greet my final guest. Celia’s best friend, Delilah Fortescue. I feel a shiver inside as I contemplate greeting a woman that makes my skin crawl. As I open the door it does just that as I see the botoxed, designer encrusted barbie doll standing there. She is wearing the largest fur coat I have ever seen outside Russia and yet she wears oversized sunglasses that make her tiny face look miniscule. Her bright red painted lips are bared in an insincere smile and I can tell she is assessing every inch of me behind her shades.

  She smiles and steps forward, air kissing me as she goes before sweeping past and dropping her coat on the bannisters. “Darling, it’s positively Arctic out there. Thank goodness your home is so warm and inviting.”

  I hear the shrieks of welcome from the kitchen as she reaches it and sighing, pick up her coat and place it in the cupboard nearby along with the rest, before braving the room before me.

  It wasn’t always like this. Celia never used to scare me when we first became friends. She was kind, funny and a little scatty if I’m honest. Then she met Delilah and appeared to change overnight. Suddenly, she became obsessed with material things and keeping up with the Jones’s. Her bitchy comments stared to seep into the cracks of our friendship and take root. Like all bullies she rules with barbed retorts that strike fear in your heart that you will be on the end of them. I should have walked away but she makes it impossible to.

  Sighing, I head inside to join them and imagine what will happen if Virginia does lose everything. I wonder what that would feel like?

  By the time I have served the usual gluten free cake and mint tea, the conversation turns to Christmas and Delilah informs us she will be spending it at home before flying off to Verbier for the New Year. Celia squeals with delight as she interrupts, “Oh darling, I can’t wait to join you.” Turning to Virginia, she says happily, “Blake and I will be joining Delilah and Tristan in their impressive mountain chalet. What will you be doing for Christmas and New Year, Virginia?”