Its a wonderful life, p.27
It's a Wonderful Life, page 27
It’s a long day, but by the end of it, I feel more satisfied than I have at work in a long time.
‘So what do you think?’ Maria wants to know.
‘I love it,’ I say. ‘Thanks for the opportunity.’
‘You are good with people,’ Maria says. ‘And it’s great to have an English person to help out.’
‘It’s great to have a job that for once I think I’m going to enjoy,’ I say. ‘I’ve never really enjoyed work, and I think I like the lifestyle here. It’s much more laid-back than in England.’
‘Good,’ says Maria. ‘I hoped you would say that.’
‘Best I start taking Spanish lessons, then.’
Maria laughs and I kiss her softly on the lips. I feel so lucky to have found her.
‘Thanks for everything, Maria,’ I say. ‘You’ve turned my life around.’
‘And you mine,’ says Maria with a smile. I feel a warm, comfortable glow. I know this time it’s going to work out.
We clink glasses as we sit on the little balcony of Maria’s apartment, watching the setting sun.
‘Do you think you’d like to stay a while?’ she asks.
‘Oh yes,’ I say, ‘I think I’d like to stay a very long while …’
Daniel
It was eleven in the morning and Daniel still hadn’t left the house. He knew he should. He knew what he wanted to do, but somehow inertia kept him on the sofa. It was one of those bright, cold, sharp days in December that make you feel alive. He should really at least get outdoors.
It was Megan who made up his mind. So RU coming or what? she texted.
He was still worried that Lou might have got it wrong and Beth didn’t want him any more, but it seemed churlish not to be there for such a special moment. The Littlest Angel was riding high in the bestseller charts, and there was already talk of them making a children’s film. Beth deserved it after all her hard work. He was still her husband. He should support her.
He made his way through the humming throng of shoppers on a last-minute dash to finish their present-buying. Everyone seemed so happy and vibrant, and looking forward to the big day. It made him feel hopeful for the future, and even though he was nervous as hell, today the Christmas music cheered him up. It was a special time of year after all; maybe miracles really did happen.
There was a long queue at the bookshop, and Beth was so busy she didn’t see him. He decided to queue up and surprise her, waiting patiently in line with the mums, dads, grandparents and small children, all thrilled to meet Beth. His wife. His Beth. It made him feel unbearably proud.
It was while he was waiting that he suddenly clocked there were a couple of people with Beth, one he didn’t recognise, but the other – what the hell was Jack Stevens doing there? He was overcome with a sense of fury. How dare he turn up now? Did it mean he was with Beth? Daniel’s heart was hammering. Please, not that, not now. Not after everything.
He tried to gauge Beth’s reaction to Jack, but from this distance he couldn’t. At one point Jack leaned down towards her and Beth looked as if she were trying to get rid of him, but he couldn’t be sure. Then Jack left. Good. Daniel hoped he’d gone for good. Anxiety gnawed at him. What if he’d pushed Beth straight back into Jack’s arms?
There was still no sign of Jack by the time he got to the front of the queue, which made him feel marginally better, but he still felt nervous. There was so much riding on this. What would he do if Beth told him to piss right off?
She still hadn’t spotted him. Stepping forward, he pushed his copy of the book in front of her, and said, ‘Any chance of a special message from my favourite author?’
Beth looked up, her face lighting up to see him. Daniel’s heart leapt. That was a good reaction. A better one than he’d hoped.
‘I think there’s every chance,’ said Beth softly. ‘Every chance indeed.’
Beth
I am gobsmacked when Daniel turns up. I hadn’t even told him about the signing. Then I see Megan, who has popped in to wish me luck, and I twig from her slight smirk that she’s responsible for Daniel’s presence. She gives me a thumbs up, and then leaves to finish her Christmas shopping. My heart is pounding, but in a good way. This has to be a step forward, doesn’t it? Daniel has come, he’s actually come to see me. Perhaps I dare hope. I’m anxious too though – of all the staff at my publishers, why did Jack have to come down to support me? Vanessa was supposed to come but had pulled out at the last minute. I felt sick to the stomach when he arrived. I’d rather have had no representative at all. Any feelings I had for him have long gone. I cannot imagine why I let my fantasies about Jack ruin my marriage. I’ve sent him off to get coffee and get him out of my hair. I really hope he doesn’t come back before Daniel goes.
Which is why, of course, he turns up two minutes later.
‘I got you a latte the way you like it,’ he says, and then, ‘Oh,’ when he sees Daniel.
‘Oh, indeed,’ says Daniel.
They glare at each other like a pair of marauding bulldogs. Please don’t let them cause a scene here, I think. There are still people queuing up.
‘Guys, can you please just keep hold of your testosterone levels till we’re done?’ I hiss.
They reluctantly move away from the table, and stand glowering at one another from opposite corners of the room.
After half an hour I’m done and I say my goodbyes and thank yous to the people in the bookshop. Jack makes a beeline for me, reaching me before Daniel does. He deliberately kisses me on the cheek and hugs me. I stiffen.
‘Lizzie, you were fabulous. I insist on taking you out for lunch.’
I bristle at this. Who does he think he is?
‘I rather think that’s my job,’ says Daniel, appearing by my side looking bullish, which makes me feel much better.
‘I believe Lizzie is a free agent now,’ says Jack. ‘She doesn’t have to put up with this middle-class bag of shit any more. Honestly, Lizzie, I can’t believe you’ve stood this small-town living for so long. You’re a city girl at heart.’
What the hell is Jack playing at? I’ve had no contact with him for months, and now he’s behaving like a jealous terrier. He’s going to make Daniel think something’s still going on. Oh, right. I suddenly clock it: that’s exactly what he wants Daniel to think. I’m not going to play his stupid manipulative games.
Daniel moves towards him menacingly. Oh no. I’ve never seen him hit someone, but I think he might be getting close to it now.
‘Beth can make her own decision about lunch,’ I say firmly, ‘and this “small-town living” happens to be my life, Jack, and I love it. Now can you please go?’
Jack looks at me sorrowfully, ‘You can’t mean that.’
I look at him with distaste. What does this man know about me, really? In his head I am still the twenty-something girl he knew, who would do anything for him; he knows nothing of my life now.
‘I do,’ I say. ‘I don’t know why you’ve come today, Jack. I made it clear I didn’t want to see you again. I made a mistake over you, and I don’t intend to repeat it.’
‘But we could be good together,’ Jack urges. ‘I know we could.’
‘Like we were twenty years ago?’ I say. ‘Jack, it’s over. You have to believe me when I say that. I was infatuated by you for a little while, but I love Daniel.’
‘But I love you—’ Jack starts.
Suddenly I am furious with him. He doesn’t love me, he never has loved me, I was just a game to him. He still has no idea of the hell he’s put me and Daniel through.
‘No you don’t,’ I say. ‘You’ve never loved me, you just love the idea of me being at your beck and call. It’s over, Jack. I want you to leave right now.’
‘I think the lady asked you to leave,’ Daniel steps closer to him, in a slightly threatening manner that is most un-Daniel like. Jack flinches. For a terrible moment I really think Daniel is going to hit him, and part of me rather wishes he would. But then he says, ‘Nah you’re not worth it, but if you don’t go now I’ll call security to get rid of you.’
And with that Jack is gone.
I turn to look at Daniel.
‘My hero,’ I say. ‘I thought you were going to hit him.’
‘I’d never do that,’ he says, smiling at me.
‘So are you coming home or what?’ I ask.
‘What do you think?’ he says, as he leans over to kiss me.
In the end, it’s as easy as that.
The Littlest Angel
The Littlest Angel crept forward.
‘Would you like to see the baby?’ Mary called her over.
‘Oh, yes,’ said the Angel. She flew down to look at the special new baby. He was sleeping and looked so calm.
‘What is his name?’
‘His name is Jesus,’ said Mary. ‘And he’s the most important baby in the world.’
Vanessa Marlow: Oh this is lovely. Really cute ending. I can picture the final scene!
Beth King: Thanks.
Epilogue
‘Sam and Megan, are you ever going to get up? There’s stuff to do!’
I got up early this morning to start getting everything ready. I refused to get up at six though, and have told everyone to come for 2 p.m. I’m determined there are going to be no rules today, and definitely no charades. Everyone is going to have as relaxed a time as possible. So far it’s been great. Old as they are, Sam and Megan insisted on coming in at 7 a.m. to show us what they’d got in their stockings, a tradition instigated by Sam aged four. We went through the stockings and then they both shuffled off back to bed, bleary-eyed but happy. Daniel got up to make me tea in bed, and we’d had lovely Christmas sex to celebrate the festive season properly. It’s been the best thing about us breaking up. We’ve had a lot of making-up sex in the last week.
I went downstairs at eight and put the turkey on (Sainsbury’s finest, I’m hoping Mum won’t notice) and Daniel came down looking deliciously sexy in his dressing gown. We peeled the veggies together, singing tunelessly to old Christmas records. Well, I was tuneless. Daniel has, as I say, got a rather wonderful baritone.
I’ve finally persuaded Megan and Sam to get up properly and help tidy the house. They keep nudging each other and giggling, and then giving Daniel pointed looks. I’m sure it’s to do with my Christmas present, so I’m doing my best to ignore them. Sam and Daniel make a makeshift table out of bits of plywood, and attach it to the end of our table. There are going to be eleven of us for dinner, plus baby Thomas, and our own table isn’t big enough. I smile fondly as they wrestle with the wood; it’s lovely to have my boys back together, working as a team. They’re getting on well at the moment; Sam has enrolled at the local college to re-sit his exams and Daniel is being supportive of his music as well.
Megan has spent hours over the last few days making table decorations of Santas and snowmen. She lays them out carefully, one at each place setting. By the time she’s finished, the table looks very festive.
I hug her and Sam. I’m so glad my family is whole once more.
‘Get off,’ says Sam, when I say so. ‘I am eighteen you know.’
‘You’ll always be my little Sammywam,’ I tease, and he rolls his eyes.
I am about to ask Daniel if he can help me transfer the enormous turkey onto a roasting dish, when I realise I haven’t seen him for about half an hour.
‘Where’s your dad?’ I ask. The kids just shrug their shoulders.
‘I think he’s popped out,’ Megan offers helpfully.
‘Popped out? Popped out where? People are going to be here any moment.’
‘It’s OK,’ says Sam, glancing out of the window, ‘I think he’s back.’
Daniel walks into the kitchen holding something under his coat. I’m so preoccupied with the turkey that I don’t clock it at first.
‘Where on earth have you been?’ I start, and then look at what he’s holding. ‘Daniel, you didn’t?’
Daniel breaks into a huge grin, ‘I did. Happy Christmas, Beth,’ he says and hands me over a wriggly, licky, adorable Labrador puppy.
I am speechless, ‘But you said—’
‘I said a lot of things, Beth. I know how much you’ve wanted a dog. Your mum’s been looking after him for the last couple of days.’
‘Oh Daniel, you big idiot,’ I say, and give him a fat soppy kiss. I am overwhelmed. I can’t believe he’s done this for me. I fuss over the gorgeous puppy for a few minutes before setting him down for Megan and Sam to take over.
At 12.30 the doorbell rings and Rachel, Ged and Thomas arrive. Thomas is sitting up now, playing with his toys, and Megan is immediately down on the floor trying to make him laugh. I’ve invited Rachel and Ged to stay over so they can both have a drink, and they happily join us in a toast.
The atmosphere is light, so different from last year.
‘Which of the parents is going to arrive first, do you think?’ says Ged.
‘Mum,’ I say. ‘Dad’s always late. So long as they don’t arrive together …’
Sure enough Mum and James arrive first, followed by Reggie, who hits it off with James straight away. Luckily he also seems to get on well with Dad when he and Lilian eventually turn up, which makes life a lot easier.
Everyone seems to be getting on in a civilised manner, and I’m hoping it will stay that way.
I needn’t have worried. Both couples seem to be on their best behaviour, and it turns out that Reggie has a great talent for bringing people together. He and Daniel are more relaxed now in each other’s company, and I’m noticing how alike they actually are. They both care about other people, and want to put them at their ease. It’s lovely to watch them together.
Everyone loves the puppy too, and all the fussing over it breaks the tension nicely. So by the time we sit down to lunch the atmosphere is quite riotous, with James joshing Dad about whether cricket is more important than golf, and Lilian complimenting Mum on how well she looks. It’s going better than I could have ever imagined.
I am stressed up to the eyeballs about the turkey, but Daniel takes over the last bit of cooking for me so that I can enjoy myself a bit more. Ged and Rachel are really helpful when it comes to serving up, so I don’t feel as if the whole day is on my shoulders.
As we sit and raise a Christmas toast, I’m just so glad to be with my family, patchwork and all as it is. I cannot think of anyone I’d rather spend Christmas with. It would be lovely to have Lou here, but she’s so happy with Maria, I can’t begrudge her this time. And there’s always next year.
After lunch there’s an orgy of present opening. Thomas inevitably ends up chewing most of the paper along with the new puppy. Thomas has been given an inordinate amount of noisy things, and Ged doesn’t look impressed. He rolls his eyes at Rachel, who kisses him on the cheek.
‘Never mind,’ she says, ‘perhaps we can hide them.’
‘I can see myself losing the batteries on a few of these,’ Ged says.
‘Don’t worry, they run out pretty quickly,’ I laugh. ‘Most of the toys will probably be broken by New Year’s Day.’
The puppy is happily bouncing about the room, and we’re all trying to think of names for him when we remember that we’ve promised to Skype Lou and Maria.
It takes a while to set up, but thanks to the young techie bods in the house we finally get it to work. We all crowd round the screen, waving and shouting ‘Happy Christmas!’ while Lou and Maria beam wildly back at us. They look so happy together, it’s really lovely to see.
‘While I’ve got you all here,’ Ged suddenly says, sounding a little self-conscious, ‘I thought it would be a good moment to tell you – I am proud to announce that Rachel has agreed to become my wife. We want to get married in July next year, and I really hope you’ll all be able to come.’
Wow. I give Ged a huge hug, beaming at him. I’m so proud of him for changing his womanising ways.
‘You keep us away!’ shrieks Lou. ‘That’s so exciting.’
There’s a blur of raised glasses and toasts, and then Reggie says, ‘How about we have some music?’
We wave goodbye to Lou and Maria, and Reggie gets out his guitar and starts strumming, ‘Simply Having a Wonderful Christmas Time’ on his guitar. We’re all a bit drunk by now and the atmosphere is getting raucous. Amazingly Thomas manages to sleep right through it.
‘You having a good time?’ says Daniel.
‘Yup,’ I say. ‘Happy Christmas, darling.’
‘Happy Christmas, and here’s to a better year next year.’ I smile at him. The puppy wanders over and licks my hand.
Daniel stands up and shushes everyone.
‘This has been a momentous year for our family in many ways. But I think we can all say we’ve come out of it stronger, better and with a few new members. To the Holroyd family in all its forms. Happy Christmas.’
‘Happy Christmas!’ Everyone raises their glasses.
‘Look,’ said Megan. ‘It’s snowing!’
We all go to look out of the window as the snow falls softly down. I look out at the dark sky, and see the festive lights from our neighbours’ houses twinkling in the distance. I can almost imagine my little angel up there, helping other people out the way she’s helped me.
Happy Christmas, little angel, I say to myself, and thank you.
I pull myself closer to Daniel.
‘You’re the best Christmas present I could possibly have,’ I say. ‘Welcome home.’
The Littlest Angel Saves the Day
So the Littlest Angel led Jesus, Mary and Joseph over the border from Israel into Egypt.
There she took them to a place where they would be safe, and she looked over them all until it was time to go home.
Vanessa Marlow: Lovely! I can really see us making a series out of this. Have you any ideas for the next book?
Beth King: Erm. NO.
Beth
It’s funny how sometimes you have to take the long way round. I thought my life was going nowhere. I thought it could be better. And then I learnt the hard way that the life I already had was the one I wanted and needed. If my little angel has taught me anything, it’s this: be content with your life. It’s the only one you’ve got. Whichever way you look at it, there are parts which are always going to be pretty wonderful.
