Page 118 of A December to Remember
Simone laughed. “You haven’t stuffed a chicken since the first solstice!”
“And I want to make sure I never have to do it again.” She shuddered.
In an hour, Troy and Kev would roll the giant hog roaster into the garden. Their joint side venture had become a very successful business; demand was high for the Rowan Thorp Roasters. But they always kept their calendar free for the solstice celebration.
Duncan and Evette were in charge of childcare, which left the North sisters free to focus on the preparations. As usual it was a whole village affair, which meant there was no shortage of volunteers.
Maggie stood, and her sisters followed her back along the garden, leaving the others to continue catching up with Patrick and Louella.
“Shall we grab more coffees before we head to the kitchen?” Maggie asked.
“Of course,” Simone replied.
“God, I love the winter solstice,” said Star.
“Me too,” agreed Simone.
“I think I love it even more than Christmas,” Maggie added, and her sisters nodded.
“What do you think Dad would say if he could see us now?” asked Star.
“Probably something annoying like ‘I always knew you had it in you, my little babes of the woods.’ ” Simone tried to mimic his gravel-with-a-smile-in-it voice.
“I’ll bet he’s chuckling his arse off.” Maggie smiled.
The forecast was for snow, and the pale lilac clouds didn’t look like they would disappoint. The three giant Christmas trees on Holy Trinity Green glowed resplendent in the gray morning light, and every shop window glittered with snow globe perfection. The North sisters’ breath clouded out in front of them and the cold bit at their cheeks as they linked arms and walked with heads bent together, the bobbles on their hats shaking as they laughed at some joke known only to them. No more were they sisters bonded by summers alone. That first winter solstice had marked the beginning of a new journey, one they would take together,always.
