Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2024 i Take a Break Fiction Feast

The laughter around the table stopped as soon as Kelly walked into the kitchen. Poker cards, chips and money were spread in front of the six men. Some of the faces at least had the decency to look embarrassed and apologetic. Not Kelly’s husband though, he looked at her with a big grin on his face. ‘Looks like you caught us red-handed,’ Jack smirked. ‘But you’ve only yourself to blame, coming back early.’ Typical Jack, things that were his fault were always blamed on her. Some of the men went to stand to leave. ‘No, no, we have to finish, I need a chance to win my money back, right love?’ It wasn’t in Kelly’s nature to make a scene in front of other people. Sure, she’d have words with…

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Well, Gertie old girl, happy Christmas. It’s just you and me today.’ My voice echoed round the elephant house. December twenty fifth is the only day the zoo doesn’t open. Empty of visitors, the atmosphere is completely different. I’m not sure I like it. After cleaning out the enclosure, I take a pew for a well-earned coffee break and a chat with Gertie. People think I’m strange, talking to an elephant, but there’s something about the way she looks at me; it’s as though she understands every word I say. ‘Works not as much fun when Natalie isn’t working.’ Gertie’s ear flicks at the mention of Natalie’s name. It makes me smile. ‘I know. I should tell her how I feel about her but we have to work together. What…

Audrey glowered down at the grate. Open fires were a right pain. She had vivid memories of her childhood, when open fires were the norm. Firstly, the ash pan had to be riddled out and the cinders trudged through the house to the dustbin by the front gate. The fire had to be patiently built, then she had to wait, seemingly for ever, for it to catch. Her cheek would be almost on the hearth, blowing gently while her hands got covered in smuts and her bare knees ached on the rug covering the stone floor. ‘What’s nicer than an open fire? Cosy, that’s what it will be’ When that didn’t work, her mother would hold a sheet of newspaper over the fireplace to ‘draw’ the flames. It was a…

It all began when Mum left hospital after a bout of pneumonia. After we’d picked her up, the first thing she did when sitting in the rear seat of our car, was to pull out her mobile. My husband, David, peered back at her from the driver’s seat, his perplexed expression wrinkling his brow. ‘Oh, hello,’ Mum said when her call connected. ‘I’m calling about Patrick Dawson. Yes, I know, he’s not with you any more. I was wondering where he moved to. Yes, I’m family. I’m… er… his sister. No, I’m not the woman who rang yesterday or the day before. Yes, right fine, I’ll contact his daughter and speak to her.’ ‘Why wouldn’t he get in contact, unless he’s drugged up to his eyeballs?’ She cut the call…

It was Anna’s first trip out with her new paramedic partner Dougal. He had a few years of experience and oodles of tales to tell of his childhood in Connemara on the west coast of Ireland. She was looking forward to learning from him. Their call was to a couple in their 70s. He’d slipped in the bath and try as she might, his wife couldn’t help him out. Dougal drove, but as they were setting off their hands touched as they put their water bottles in the central compartment. Their eyes met for a second – enough for the connection to be made ‘Sorry!’ they said together, and laughed. Their eyes met just for a second, but it was enough for the connection to be made. Anna just knew…

As Sally washed her paintbrushes in the kitchen sink, she gazed at her snow-covered garden and wondered if the fox would turn up that day. She hoped he would because it always made her day when he did, especially when he curled up on the tree stump and had a nap in the sun. She thought he was beautiful, but her new neighbour didn’t like him at all, and he’d threatened to poison him when Sally had been talking to him the day before. ‘But you can’t do that!’ Sally had gasped. ‘He’s gorgeous.’ Len screwed up his nose. ‘But he’s vermin, Sally, and the flea-ridden thing tramples all over my plants and messes everywhere, and I’m surprised you’re not worried about him, what with your cat.’ ‘Foxes don’t attack…

Holly’s bringing a fella again at Christmas,’ I told my big sister Sophie over the phone. ‘She’s got into a habit of doing that,’ she said. Holly was our younger sister. ‘Remember that nerdy one she brought last year?’ I went on. ‘He bored Dan to tears talking about AI technology.’ Dan was Sophie’s hubby. ‘I know, and the year before, it was that cocky know-it-all,’ she replied. ‘Ah, yes, the car salesman. Poor Dan got a right earful then too, I recall.’ ‘I just hope her new fella isn’t hung up on some boring interest or other,’ Sophie said. ‘Look, Kerry, I have to go. My mince pies are in the oven and they’re burning!’ I bid her a cheery farewell and returned to writing my Christmas cards. I…

Hi, Dad. Are you doing anything at the weekend? We’re hoping you could help us out. Fact is, we’re in a bit of a pickle.’ ‘Let me guess. You’re short-staffed and you need an extra pair of hands.’ ‘Something like that.’ I didn’t need to check my diary. My social life’s been practically non-existent since I lost my wife four years ago. ‘I’m working at the charity shop Friday morning. I can come to you straight afterwards if that’s any good.’ ‘Thanks, Dad. You’re a life-saver. See you soon.’ I haven’t seen much of my son since he remarried. His first wife was as bubbly as soda water. I was shocked when they split up. Compared to her, his new wife seems cold and detached but Adam loves her, which…

It was the first really cold morning of the winter. Sarah shivered as she walked into the kitchen. ‘Brrr! It’s time we had that holiday you promised me,’ she told Tim. He looked up from his cornflakes. ‘What?’ ‘Don’t pretend you’ve forgotten,’ she reminded him. ‘You said we’d go away with your brother and his wife in December when all the holidays were cheaper, remember?’ ‘But that was before the weather got better in August and September,’ he argued. ‘I only proposed going away on a winter holiday when we thought we weren’t going to see any sun at all this year. Remember late August? All those lovely days we sat out in the garden…’ ‘You might have sat out in the garden for days on end, but I didn’t!’…

Are we expecting guests?’ Grant asked when he arrived home. Sharon rolled her eyes and wondered, for what must have been the hundredth time, why he never listened. ‘I’m hosting the School Fundraising Committee tonight,’ she reminded him, adding, ‘You know how important it is to me?’ ‘Sorry, love, you did tell me.’ Grant gave her a hug. ‘What can I do to help? You’ve obviously been very busy cleaning and tidying. And can I smell freshly baked cake?’ ‘Thank you for noticing, and yes, you can have a slice, but do you mind waiting until they’re here? I don’t know exactly how many to expect.’ Sharon picked up the pile of neatly folded laundry, ready to take it upstairs, and out of sight. ‘I’ll quickly go and change,’ said…

It was seven months earlier when Helen started her 2024 campaign. ‘Why don’t we spend the long Easter weekend redecorating the lounge?’ she asked Nigel. ‘What?’ he said. ‘Well, you always say there’s no point in going anywhere on a bank holiday, because everyone else does, so let’s stay home and decorate.’ ‘There’s a clue in what you just said,’ he answered. ‘What?’ ‘It’s a holiday – a day of rest. Not a day up a ladder getting a crick in the neck!’ ‘But when will we get it done, then?’ Helen asked. ‘You’re too tired after work and you never get up till midday at the weekend. ‘Or how about May, there’s two bank holidays then?’ Nigel muttered something, which she took to be a ‘yes’. But when May…

When Carolyn across the road was about to go on holiday, she popped over to see me first. ‘Hi, Dawn. Sorry to bother you, but I wonder if you can do me a favour – while I’m away, would you water my houseplants? Mum usually does it, but she’s coming with us this year. ‘I meant to ask you ages ago, but I’m afraid I got caught up with all our packing and I’m only getting around to it now.’ I didn’t know Carolyn well, but we greeted each other if we were both out at the front getting in or out of our cars. I was glad she felt she could ask me to do such a simple thing. ‘No problem, Carolyn,’ I said. ‘Do you want me to…

On the second day of Christmas, Lisa bemoaned the fact she had to work almost every shift over the Christmas period. Whereas most days at the call centre were fairly hectic, hardly anyone rang the office between Christmas and New Year. To make matters worse, none of Lisa’s friends were working over the twelve days of Christmas, so the office felt decidedly bereft of festive cheer. Thankfully, it wasn’t all bad news, because Lisa found herself working with the three most eligible bachelors in the office: ‘Gorgeous’ Gavin Adams, ‘Hunky’ Harry Hamilton and ‘Dashing’ Dale Stevens. Despite such temptations, Lisa was determined not to flirt with any of them, because, since breaking up with ‘Slimy’ Steve, she had resolved to take a break from men for a while. The only…

Annie rushed around, plumping up cushions as she heard the taxi draw up outside. ‘It will be OK, darling,’ Tim told her. ‘She’s only here for a week, we can put up with that. And she’ll be so pleased when she hears our news.’ Annie sighed. She only hoped so. In her experience nothing had ever pleased Maude – their engagement, their wedding, this house they lived in… The ring of the doorbell made her jump. ‘Here we go!’ said Tim. ‘Hold on!’ cried Annie. ‘I don’t think I dusted the skirting boards in the hall…’ ‘You did,’ Tim said. ‘Just relax. She won’t eat you.’ Maude walked in with three large cases. ‘Look at all this! You are just coming for a week, aren’t you, Mum?’ Tim laughed, uncertainly.…

How about we just get the kids an Advent calendar for Christmas?’ Ella asked. ‘Don’t be daft – they’ll expect more than a few bits of chocolate,’ Joe replied. ‘Advent calendars aren’t always about chocolate, though,’ Ella said, shoving a catalogue under his nose. ‘Rachel would love this one – she’d get a different beauty product every day. And this would be perfect for Tom.’ It featured building kits that made a small toy. ‘They’ll have a gift every day in December…’ ‘And nothing on Christmas Day…’ ‘We’ll give them a voucher, plus they’ll have presents from friends and family. They’ll be fine…’ ‘Why can’t we give them an Advent calendar and presents as usual – oh I forgot! You’re on a diet, and you can’t resist chocolate…’ ‘I’m not…

Gillian Christmas Eve and the shops were crowded as Gillian frantically searched for a gift for her mother-in-law. She should never have left it till the last minute, but Jean was so hard to buy for. She didn’t read books, she made all her own clothes and, as far as Gillian could see, already owned all the kitchen gadgets known to womankind. A pretty necklace in a display case caught her eye. The delicate tear-shaped fire opal on a fine silver chain was so pretty. It would look great with the blue dress she had treated herself to for the party season… No! She had no more money to spend on herself right now. The blue stone would really suit Jean’s colouring though…The price tag made Gill blanch, but the…

What do you want for Christmas, Evelyn? I’ll get you anything,’ said Aimee, as we walked through the department store. What did I want? I glanced at Aimee, my beautiful, talented sister, who had been so successful in her marketing career she could buy me anything... except the one thing I really wanted. ‘Aimee you were so generous buying me that gold bracelet for my birthday last month, that’s enough.’ ‘Of course I have to give you something for Christmas, just name it.’ A short time later we were passing aisles of Christmas decorations. Everything Christmassy you could imagine. One decoration caught my eye, a small ceramic nativity scene. My gaze was drawn to the tiny figure in the manger. The baby. My heart tugged. That’s what I wanted most…

Lily and her husband Ryan were having dinner in the kitchen, with baby Daisy in her highchair. Lily watched Ryan ‘aeroplaning’ food into Daisy’s open mouth, then took a deep breath. ‘I think we should spend Christmas at home this year instead of at your mum’s.’ Ryan was distracted. ‘Not sure that’s a good idea, love. Christmas at Mum’s is hard to beat.’ That was the problem. Lily’s mother-in-law did Christmas fantastically well. But although Lily had never cooked Christmas dinner before, she knew from listening to other people that it took a huge amount of work. ‘I know she does, but I think we need to take a turn. It’s only fair.’ She had Ryan’s attention now, as he realised she was serious. ‘But Mum’s Christmases are legendary.’ Yes,…

Ruby had just left work and was heading to the bus stop when she heard someone call her name. ‘Ruby? It is you, isn’t it?’ She turned to see a stylish, good-looking woman. ‘Yolanda?’ she said, delighted to recognise an old roommate from college. ‘I can’t believe it! What are you doing here?’ They chatted excitedly for a few minutes until Yolanda suggested they go for a drink. ‘If you have time, I mean.’ ‘Of course I do.’ Ruby sent her husband, Zac, a text. Met an old friend. Going for a quick drink. He replied straightaway. OK. Have fun. The years fell away as she and Yolanda talked and talked, about old friends, new jobs and where life had taken them. Yolanda was a sales rep for a cosmetics…