The more the little crowd acknowledged the things that they were thankful for, the better they felt. Their gratitude filled them up even more than the banquet had done as they counted their blessings and found them to be bounteous: beloved friends, pets, gardens, stars, flowers, views, trees, food, warmth . . . Once they began, there seemed to be no end to the things that they were thankful for.
Eventually the procession led them back to the pubs, and the villagers parted like the red sea to enter either the Rowan Tree Inn or the Stag and Hound.
The North sisters and their significant others, along with Patrick and Verity, wandered into the Rowan Tree Inn. Joe and Patrick went to the bar and the others took a seat in one of the large curved banquettes. Verity was desperately tired, though she pretended not to be, and objected to all of Maggie’s suggestions that it might be time for them to go home.
“Please, Mama, can I stay up till the end?”
“This is the end, sweetheart, there’s nothing else after this.”
“Just let me have one blackcurrant squash.”
“One drink and then bed.”
“She’s going to be a party animal when she’s older.” Star smiled, pulling a fleece blanket off the back of the chair and draping it over her niece.
“No, she is not,” said Maggie. “She is going to work hard and then become prime minister.”
“No pressure, Verity,” Simone said, fondly stroking her hair.
“So, how do you feel about spending your first-ever Christmas together?” Evette asked the sisters.
Their smiles were enough of an answer.
“I never thought it would happen,” said Simone.
“I always hoped it would,” added Star. “But I don’t think I believed it ever could.”
“Our Christmases have always just been the three of us, just me and the kids. They’ve been lovely, but you know, sort of quiet, or as quiet as Verity ever is. She’s going to love having a big family Christmas. You’ll all come to ours, won’t you?”
Star and Simone nodded emphatically.
“I’ve been thinking that we all ought to chip in. I’ve no doubt you’d make a delicious Christmas dinner, Maggie, but why don’t we each make part of the dinner and bring it over to you, so that you’re not doing everything?” suggested Star.
“I agree. How about this: Maggie makes the starters and me, you, and Evette do all the rest?” Simone said. “Star and I will work it all out between us, that way you get to kick back a bit and enjoy Christmas Day too.”
“Are you sure?” Maggie asked hesitantly. She was torn between loving this idea and feeling guilty about not being the sole provider of Christmas for her family.
“Yes!” said Star exaggeratedly. “We’re all adults, let us help you.”
“Let us share the load,” said Evette kindly.
“In that case, oh my god yes please!” Maggie gushed. Christmas immediately ceased to be another monster she needed to slay and became something to look forward to. “But I’m still the big sister, right?”
“Always.” Simone leaned over and kissed her cheek.
* * *
Patrick came back to the table empty-handed.
“Joe’s still waiting to be served,” he said. “It’s like a rugby scrum at the bar.”
Maggie looked down at Verity, who—despite her protestations and the cacophony in the pub—had fallen asleep across her lap.
“Tell Joe not to worry about getting drinks for Verity and me. I think I’m going to get this little one home to bed.”
“Why don’t I take Verity home and you stay here and enjoy the rest of the night?” Patrick suggested. “You’ve worked so hard to make this evening happen; you deserve to have some fun.”
“That’s kind of you, love, but to be honest, I’m knackered myself. I’m probably not long from bed either. You stay and enjoy yourself.”
“If you’re sure,” he said.
She nodded, and Patrick disappeared back into the throng at the bar. A few moments later, just as Maggie was wiggling herself and a snoring Verity along the banquette, Joe appeared.
“Your packhorse awaits, my lady.” He grinned.
“You don’t have to leave just because I am,” she said, though she couldn’t deny she was pleased.
“As if.” He smiled warmly at her. “You know I’d rather be anywhere with you than here without. Hand Sleeping Beauty over and let’s go home.”
Joe picked up Verity, who flopped her arms around him and buried her head into the crook of his neck.
The music suddenly grew even louder, and a cheer went up around the pub.
Maggie called her good-byes and left them to their merriments. Simone had one arm slung around Evette’s shoulder as they rocked side to side singing “I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day!” Star and Duncan were face-to-face, laughing as they sang loudly at each other. She noticed Louella slip between the punters at the bar and sidle up next to Patrick. She wouldn’t be expecting her eldest offspring home for a while yet.
Outside the pubs was just as busy, as patrons of each establishment mixed and mingled. The snow on Holy Trinity Green had almost gone, but as Maggie and Joe walked slowly along the high street, thick snowflakes began to flurry down around them. By the time they reached the flat, the snow had become a shower of feather-white lint, falling thick and silent, bright against the inky sky.
She shivered as she pushed the key into the lock and opened the front door. My wassail warmth is waning, she thought. Joe climbed the stairs to the flat, slow and steady with Verity in his arms. Maggie followed.
Her home was warm and welcoming, lit only by the fairy lights on the tree. Together they got Verity into her pajamas and tucked into bed. She woke briefly but quickly dozed back off.
Back in the kitchen, Maggie put the kettle on. “Tea?” she called out quietly. She turned to find Joe standing in front of her and instinctively she wrapped her arms around him.
“You pulled it off, Mags, it was an amazing winter solstice celebration.”
“We pulled it off,” she corrected. “That was a hell of a joint effort. It went okay in the end, though, didn’t it?”
“Okay? It was amazing. You’re amazing.”
“Oh, you’re just saying that to get me into bed.” Maggie winked at him.
“Is it working?”
“Hell yeah.”
Joe kissed her, gently at first and then more deeply, and she felt herself unfurl like one of the fern fronds in the rowan tree woods. She let herself melt into him as his hands moved to hold her waist. They kissed their way out of the kitchen, but when Joe angled them toward the sofa, she stopped and broke away. He looked at her quizzically, and she took his hand and led him toward her bedroom.
“No more sneaking around,” she said. “No more scurrying back to your single bed at the pub. Tonight, all night, and every night hereafter, we sleep together.”
“Are you sure?” he asked, searching her eyes.
“Positive.”
He smiled, pulling her roughly to him and kissing her, his hands splayed across her back, keeping her close. “I can’t guarantee that all we’ll do is sleep,” he whispered in her ear, his voice a low growl.
Maggie was breathless. “Oh, thank heavens for that.” They stumbled into her bedroom, where she paused only to kick the door closed.
In the kitchen, the kettle came to a boil and clicked itself off, but nobody came to make tea.
Epilogue
Five Years Later