Page 86 of All We Want for Christmas
‘I can see some presents,’ Molly said, with a forced cheerfulness.
‘Yes. Why don’t you open them now?’ Flynn said, wondering what Imogen would make of it all.
‘So many presents … You really have got your feet under the table while I’ve been away,’ Imogen said, chilling the mood like a squall of winter sleet. But even though the temperature had nosedived, Flynn was determined to stay as civil as he could.
At least, he thought, he could leave at the end of the evening. He would not have wanted to be a fly on the wall after he’d gone.
‘I’m making up for lost time,’ Flynn shot back.
‘It’s a lovely thought,’ Brenda said, with a glare for Imogen.
‘I’m going into the kitchen,’ Imogen declared, and didn’t even bother giving a reason. Flynn guessed that she was surprised that her mother had come to his rescue.
‘Come on, let’s open them,’ Molly said, ‘before Esme is too tired and decides to get aggy.’
Flynn decided that the only person in the room who had seemed ‘aggy’ was Imogen and he was relieved she had decided to let them open the gifts in peace, obviously not wanting to be part of the proceedings
Molly’s eyes widened in surprise when she opened her gift.
‘This is beautiful,’ she said, lifting the lid on the luxurious hamper before giving him a shrewd look. ‘Did someone help you choose this?’
He silently thanked Lara for suggesting he pay the extra to have it gift-wrapped in the shop. Even though he didn’t want to drag her into his dramas, he half-wished she were here now with her calming presence. She seemed to understand him so well, even after such a short time.
‘Erm …’
Flynn was saved from completing the sentence by Esme, who had stuffed the wrapping paper from her new wooden blocks in her mouth. The next ten minutes were taken up by Molly helping Esme open her presents and admiring the Peter Rabbit outfits.
Brenda opened the chocolates and shared them round, thanking Flynn and telling him that Friars was her favourite shop. ‘They’re lovely. Thank you.’
‘You’re welcome.’
‘I got you something,’ Molly said. ‘Actually, Esme made it at nursery.’
Flynn was taken aback. He had completely overlooked the fact that he might receive a present too.
Molly handed over a card with a foot-shaped paintsplodge that had been turned into a creature Flynn recognised as a reindeer.
‘That’s Esme’s footprint,’ she said.
Flynn opened the card and sucked in a breath. It read:
to Grandad Flynn, love from Esme xxx
To see his name written like that: Grandad Flynn. It sounded ancient, and a few weeks ago, he’d have been frankly horrified at the very thought, and yet … he was the opposite of horrified. He felt privileged.
‘It’s – it’s brilliant,’ he said, recovering himself and smiling at Esme. ‘I love it. Thank you, Esme.’
Esme responded with a smile and bashed her blocks on Penguin.
‘And there’s this. I think you can guess what it is.’
Molly handed over a rectangular present, which Flynn unwrapped, even though he could have bet the Harley on what was inside. It was a photograph of Molly and Esme at the Winter Spectacular, Molly pointing at the reindeer on the grotto. It was a photo so full of joy and life that he felt the prickle of tears behind his eyes and struggled to reply.
‘It’s at Ravendale. Obviously,’ Molly said, smiling. ‘I thought it was one of the best of us together and, being at the castle, I thought you’d like it, and that you wouldn’t have a photo yet.’
‘I do – I – love it. It’s perfect. Thank you.’
Brenda fetched a tray of mugs and slices of Christmas cake, which Flynn didn’t dare refuse. It was lovely cake andBrenda had made it herself, but he was too full of emotion to eat much.
