Not Just for Christmas

Chapter 11

Chapter Eleven

“ W e’ve got about twenty minutes until we need to be back at the bus.” Lewis pointed at the collection of wooden huts. “We could have a look around the market.” His eyes narrowed. “Or…”

“ Or? ” Erin asked, but he was already leading her in the other direction with a huge grin on his face. “Where are we going?” He seemed to be moving in the direction of the impressive Santa’s grotto in a small log cabin. Outside was a long line of excited children with their parents.

“We have time for a quick visit to the big man,” Lewis said.

“I don’t mean to dampen your enthusiasm, but there’s a huge queue. Also, we’re grown adults.”

“It’s okay,” Lewis told her. “I know the elf. We can jump the queue.”

“Jump the queue?” she asked, pulling on his arm to slow him down, but being rather ineffective. “You mean make all these children wait even longer?”

“We’ll be in and out in a couple of minutes,” he said confidently. “Just enough time to sit on his lap and tell him what we want for Christmas. ”

“I’m not sure that’s allowed these days,” Erin said.

He laughed, then waved to get the elf’s attention.

She walked quickly over to them. More of a waddle really due to her fancy green boots, which curled at the toes and emitted a dainty jingle from the shiny bells on the end. Her tights were green and white striped below her green tunic. The buckle on her belt was shiny and gold, and maybe it was the effect of the circles of red blusher on her cheeks, but the elf looked positively ecstatic at the sight of Lewis.

She launched herself at him so hard that she ended up off the ground when she landed in his arms.

“You’re here!” she squealed. “I didn’t know you were coming. Why didn’t you say?”

“I was bringing hotel guests and didn’t know if I’d have time to stop by. Besides, I always enjoy the element of surprise.”

“It’s good to see you,” she said when he set her back on the ground. Confusion flashed in her eyes as she looked at Erin.

“This is my other sister,” Lewis told Erin. “Carla, this is Erin. She’s staying at the hotel over Christmas.”

“You were at Anna’s workshop!” Carla said excitedly.

“Yes,” Erin said, feeling oddly nervous at the thought that they’d been talking about her.

Her nerves dissipated when Carla flung her arms around her. “It’s great to meet you,” she said and squeezed Erin hard before she released her. It was clear what Lewis had meant about his sisters being very different on a confidence level.

“Any chance we can sneak in and see the big fella?” Lewis asked.

“I reckon I’d be in trouble with him if I didn’t let you in,” Carla said, then looked at the family who were next in line. “I’m really sorry,” she said. “There’s going to be just a few minutes longer to wait.”

Erin felt decidedly uncomfortable at pushing in front of all the small children. She looked at the mother beside her to offer an apologetic smile, but the woman’s eyes were on Lewis.

“Oh, hello!” she said brightly. It seemed they were in luck and he knew her, too.

“Hi,” Lewis said, the uncertainty in his feature suggesting he couldn’t remember her name. A situation Erin always dreaded.

“Billy!” the woman said, pushing the tallest of her two boys in front of her. “This is the lovely man who sponsors your football team. Can you say thank you to him?”

The poor boy looked confused as he dutifully muttered his insincere gratitude.

“It’s actually the hotel,” Lewis said. “But you’re very welcome.”

“You’re very generous,” the woman went on, gazing at him with what Erin could only describe as a look of awe. “They were absolutely thrilled last season to get the shirts with their names on the back. And their Christmas party was all paid for by your sponsorship.”

“The hotel,” Lewis said again. “But like I said, you’re very welcome, and they had a brilliant season, so they earned their party. Anyway, would you mind very much if we nipped in front of you? I promise we won’t be long.”

“Of course,” the mother said. “You go in.”

Another elf was leading a couple and their baby out of the cabin when Lewis and Erin slipped inside.

The entire room was magical, with the scent of pine and cinnamon permeating the air. A large, cosy rug covered the floorboards in front of the fake fireplace where stockings hung from the mantel. In the corner, a Christmas tree twinkled with glittering ornaments and gentle fairy lights. Wooden toys adorned the shelves which lined the walls, and Erin’s eyes darted all around, captivated by every detail.

Santa’s costume had the same exquisite quality and attention to detail that the elf costumes had. Even from across the room, the deep red velvet coat with bright white fur trim looked so soft that Erin was sure she wouldn’t be able to resist stroking it. Hopefully she wasn’t about to get kicked out for inappropriately pawing Santa.

“Ho ho ho!” he said, in a wonderfully rich baritone. His beard was real, and he was without a doubt the most authentic-looking Santa that Erin had ever seen. His eyes twinkled as he rose from his plush throne-like chair. In a matter of seconds, he had Lewis in a bear hug so tight that Lewis croakily told him he couldn’t breathe.

“What a brilliant surprise,” Santa said, holding Lewis by the shoulders as he looked him up and down.

“Why are you looking at me as though you haven’t seen me in a year? You saw me last week.”

“Only briefly. And this is such a lovely surprise.” His eyes flicked to Erin, and he said a cheerful hello.

“This is Erin,” Lewis said quickly. “She’s staying at the hotel.”

He strode over, extending his hand.

“This is my dad,” Lewis added.

“What?” Erin widened her eyes. “Your dad is Santa? You must have had such an amazing childhood!”

Santa laughed loudly as he enveloped her hand in both of his. “You’re funny. Anna said you were lovely, but she didn’t mention you being funny, too.”

“Anna talked about me?” Erin asked, while glancing around Santa to catch Lewis grimacing with obvious embarrassment.

“Yes. Telling us how much she’d enjoyed meeting you at her wreath-making session.”

“I had a great time.” Erin squeezed his hand. “It’s really nice to meet you.”

“I’m Nicholas,” he told her, his tone suddenly serious.

“No way!” Erin’s eyes flicked to Lewis and then back to Santa. “ Like jolly old St. Nick?”

“That’s the one.” He grinned. “My parents must have known I’d end up looking like Father Christmas.”

“Is he winding me up?” Erin asked Lewis.

He shook his head. “That’s his actual name.”

“Brilliant,” Erin said.

“We’re going to have to go, Dad. You have a massive line of kids waiting to see you.”

“You can’t go yet. You already told me what you want for Christmas, but I need to know what Erin would like.”

When his gaze landed on Erin, she stared back at him until she realised he was genuinely waiting for an answer. “Um… I don’t know. I already know I’m getting a bath set, and the stay at the hotel is my main present. I don’t really need anything else.”

“I’ll let you in on a little secret,” he said, tapping the side of his nose. “Christmas isn’t really about what you need. It’s about what you want.”

“I don’t think there is anything I want,” she murmured, but her eyes darted quickly to Lewis and then bounced away again. Her mouth went dry and the room felt suddenly sweltering.

Santa shook his head and walked back to his chair. “Always a conundrum when people don’t know what they want. I have to figure it out for them.” He rummaged in his sack and Erin exchanged an amused glance with Lewis. “Am I about to get a doll or a toy car or something?”

“Quite possibly,” Lewis replied.

“Here we are. Just the ticket!” Santa’s hand was outstretched when he came back to them, and Erin automatically reached out to take the small pieces of paper.

“Tickets to ride on the carousel,” she said, staring down at them.

“It’s just around the corner by the market stalls. Beautiful old thing. You’ll love it.”

“Thank you,” Erin said, while Lewis shook his dad’s hand.

“See you tonight,” Santa said. “Don’t be late! ”

“I won’t.” Lewis stopped at the door and turned back. “When did I tell you what I wanted for Christmas?”

Santa tapped his nose. “I’m always listening.”

“That could be worrying,” Lewis said to Erin, on the way out. “Except my mum buys the presents. I’m not sure my dad has ever chosen a Christmas present for any of his kids.”

“Same with my family,” Erin said. “It’s always mum that chooses.”

Carla interrupted them, coming over to hug them both at once. “I’ll see you tonight,” she said as she released them, then skipped away to rouse the people in the queue into a chorus of jingle bells.

Erin bopped her head to the melody as they walked away. “What’s happening tonight?” she asked.

“Midnight mass at the church down the road. Family tradition. I imagine a lot of the hotel guests will go too.” He frowned. “I might have tried to cram too much into the schedule. There’s also ice-skating after dinner this evening.”

“That is a busy day,” Erin remarked.

“I thought I’d try to fit a lot into the first two days because Christmas Day and Boxing Day will be very lazy.”

“I think it’s fine,” Erin said. “People can always skip ice-skating if they’re tired. It’s a nice way to kill time between dinner and midnight mass, though.”

“That’s what I thought.” He veered to the left. “The carousel is this way.”

“Do we have time? If we need to get back to the bus––”

“It’s Christmas!” Lewis cut her off. “It’s not about what we need to do.”

“Tell that to the people freezing by the minibus.”

“They’ll be fine. Besides, we still have a few minutes.”

Erin’s insides flooded with warmth at the sight of the vintage carousel, illuminated by strings of orange lights.

“Just in time!” a wiry young man called out as they approached. “There’s one spot left here.” He patted the rump of the large horse.

“Um…” Erin glanced at Lewis.

“Don’t worry,” the man called out. “They easily fit two people. Up you get!”

“Okay,” she told him, handing over the tickets and hauling herself up onto the horse to clutch the cool metal pole. The polished golden surface reflected the fairy lights overhead. “Come on,” she said to Lewis, and he swung his leg up and over just before the ride shuddered to a start.

“I’m not sure where to hold on,” he said beside her ear as the horse began to rise upwards.

“The pole.” She pulled his arms around her waist and guided his hands to the pole. “That better?” she asked merrily.

“Perfect.” The warmth of his voice against her ear sent a delicious shiver all the way up her spine.

The carousel horse whirred up and down as the ride moved around at a lazy pace. Christmas music floated in the air and Erin couldn’t keep the smile from her face as she basked in the feel of Lewis’s chest pressed against her back and his arms encircling her tightly.

It shouldn’t have been surprising that Santa was exceptional at choosing gifts.

But he really had got it spot on.