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  "We're having butterscotch banana waffles, served with white hot chocolate, sprinkled with a dusting of cococa powder."

  "This is wonderfully cosy and delicious." Evette breathed in the Christmassy smell of cinnamon and hot chocolate. "It's amazing how a smell can transport you right back to the past," she said. "I can close my eyes and it's like I'm back in mom's kitchen at home again. Remember how she used to cook French toast every Saturday morning?"

  "Of course I remember," Nicole smiled. "The smell of cinnamon always reminds me of our childhood."

  "We're lucky to have so many happy Christmas memories," Evette sighed contentedly.

  Nicole nodded in agreement. She was slightly out of breath from trying to whisk her waffle mix by hand. Needless to say, Evette didn't own an electric whisk.

  "Mom and Dad instilled the wonder of Christmas in my heart and I'll always be grateful to them for the memories," Nicole said. "I hope, one day, that I'll be able to pass on their traditions to my own family."

  "What are your favourite memories, Nic?" Evette asked, as she slowly sipped her coffee.

  "One of my favourite memories is the first time I saw snow," Nicole took a break from her whisking and decided to treat herself to a hot chocolate. "I think I was about ten years old. Every year I'd pray for a white Christmas, but it hardly ever snows in Ireland, maybe every fifty years, as you know. I was helping mom to wrap presents in secret in the attic. You still believed in Santa and we wanted you to believe for as long as possible, so we'd sneak up to the attic when you were at your friend's house and we'd spend a few hours wrapping everyone's presents. I loved spending that time with mom. It was like our own little secret club. I felt like one of Santa's eleves. Anyway, this particular Christmas was very cold and there'd been an Arctic wind blowing across Ireland for days. When we'd finished wrapping the presents we looked outside and the first snow flurries had started. I was completely mesmerised. It was so magical. Mom and I ran outside and took lots of photos of the snow.”

  “I wonder if mom still has the photos?” Evette asked. “I’d love to see them again.”

  “I’d love to see them too. It was like a winter wonderland that day. We had so much fun, but we didn't expect more than a few hours of light snow. Never in my wildest dreams did I expect to wake up the next morning and have the entire garden covered in a thick, white blanket. It had fallen steadily throughout the night and temperatures had plummeted even lower, so there were at least ten centimetres of snow on the ground. The branches of every tree were covered; it was breathtakingly beautiful. I remember you and I had such fun in the garden having snowball fights and making snow angels and snow men. It was our first white Christmas and I'll never forget it." Nicole's eyes shone with the happy memory.

  "Remember Dad would hide presents all over the house and we'd spend hours searching for them?" Evette said, her face lighting up. "I remember, it was so exciting never knowing where or when you'd find that last secret present."

  "We used to love watching the late evening news on Christmas Eve," Nicole smiled. "They always broadcast Santa's location and as soon as we saw him and the reindeer we'd jump into bed as fast as our legs could carry us!"

  "I know. It was so exciting!" Evette laughed.

  "Dad would tuck us into our beds on Christmas Eve and read us the Christmas story from the Bible."

  "One of my favourite memories is the Advent Calendar," Evette said. "The last Sunday in November mom would buy us Advent Calendars. We had to have one each because we otherwise we'd be fighting over who opened each window and got the chocolate. The Advent Calendar always signalled the start of the Christmas season for me."

  "Secret Santa was my fondest Christmas memory from school," Nicole continued. "Our teacher would put all our names into a big Santa hat and we'd each pull out the name of the person for whom we'd buy or make a present. We could barely contain our excitement when it came time to exchange our gifts."

  "I'll never forget the beautiful porcelain dolls that mom bought us one Christmas," Evette said. "They were so pretty," Nicole agreed. "They each wore a silk dress with lace sleeves and they even had their own set of pearls and tiny diamond earrings."

  "I think they were probably cubic zirconia," Evette interrupted.

  "I know," Nicole looked at her sister disparagingly. "I like to pretend they were diamonds."

  "Ok, sorry."

  "Remember the gingerbread houses that Dad used to make every year?"

  "How could I forget?"

  "He used to spend many painstaking hours getting the gingerbread house just right. Nobody was allowed in the kitchen because he had to concentrate so much and needed peace and quiet."

  Evette laughed at the memory. "Mom usually took us shopping in town until he was done."

  "His gingerbread houses were amazing. They looked like real, miniature versions of our home."

  "When Christmas was over he'd hang them outside for the birds and the squirrels to enjoy. He hated throwing them away after all his hard work. It was a clever way of recycling them."

  "We loved Christmas so much that we invented a game where we used to play Christmas in the playroom all year round. We used to cut out drawings and pretend they were ornaments and we'd wrap our old toys in newspapers to exchange gifts. How cute were we?"

  "We were very cute indeed,” Evette agreed. “Anyway, what's the plan for the rest of the day?"

  "We're going Christmas tree shopping with Ben. He offered to help us carry the tree."

  "Good, I haven't seen Benny in a while. It'll be great to catch up with him. What else have you got cooking and baking? I don't think my oven has ever seen so much action. There was a stage when I used to store old magazines in it, but I got tired of Ben lecturing me about it being a serious fire hazard."

  "I'm baking mince pies for later this evening and the herbs and spices for the mulled wine are infusing nicely. I've invited a few people over to help us decorate the tree. You don't mind do you?"

  "I don't mind at all. The more the merrier I always say."

  Chapter 22

  "I found it!" Evette yelled. Ben and Nicole came running towards the sound of her voice. They'd all piled into Evette's little Ford Fiesta and driven up into the mountains to a Christmas tree farm. Ben was delegated to carry the saw and do the cutting, while Nicole and Evette split up in search of the right tree.

  "It's perfect!" Nicole exclaimed, clapping her hands in delight.

  The tree was beautiful. It was bushy and not too tall, with a wonderful pine fragrance.

  "I love it," Evette wrapped her arms around the trunk as if she was hugging it and breathed in its fresh smell. "Ok, Ben, it's time for you to do the honours, please."

  Nicole and Evette stood back while Ben began to saw.

  "Wouldn't it have been easier to buy a fake tree?" he groaned.

  "My ears!" Nicole clapped her hands over her ears. "A fake Christmas tree is like having a fake Christmas!"

  "Get on with your sawing, Ben. We don't want to hear another sacrilegious word out of your mouth,” Evette instructed.

  The farmer helped them rope and secure the tree onto the roof of the car. Then they spent the rest of the drive down the mountain making sure the tree wasn't going to slide off. After much careful manoeuvring from the car to the elevator, they finally managed to install the tree safely in the apartment.

  "I can't believe it's still in one piece," Evette said as she carefully examined the branches of the tree, which was rather precariously propped against the wall.

  "I'm absolutely knackered." Ben flung himself down on the couch and stretched his long legs out in front of him. "That was the most exercise I've had all year."

  Nicole turned on the stereo system and the room was suddenly blasted with carols. "Time to get the party started! Who'd like some homemade mulled wine?"

  "Yes, please," Ben and Evette chimed.

  Nicole busied herself in the kitchen while the other two relaxed in the living room.

  “
Who's that?” Ben asked, as the doorbell buzzed.

  "I'll get it," Evette jumped up to answer the door.

  She was startled when she saw who was standing outside. A tall woman with shiny black hair, tied back in a sleek ponytail, stood in front of her. Her red lipstick matched the cashmere scarf that she wore over her long, black winter coat. It was Helena.

  "Hi," was all Evette could manage to say.

  "Hi," Helena replied, smiling weakly.

  They stood there looking at each other for a prolonged moment, before Ben interrupted them.

  "Who is it Ev?" he called from his comfortable seat on the couch.

  "It's one of Nicole's friends."

  "May I come in?" Helena asked. "I thought Nicole was staying with you. Have I got the right apartment?"

  Evette shook herself. "Yes, of course, come in. Helena, this is my friend, Ben. Ben this is Helena. Would you like some mulled wine?"

  "Yes, that'd be lovely, thank you."

  Evette hurried into the kitchen where Nicole was busy pouring mulled wine into cups.

  "You have a visitor," Evette whispered.

  "Who is it?" Nicole asked distractedly.

  "It's Helena." Evette paused for her sister's reaction.

  "Oh, great! I was hoping she'd turn up."

  "What? I thought she was your sworn enemy after the wedding debacle."

  "Don't be so dramatic." Nicole rolled her eyes. "None of that was Helena's fault. If I can forgive Paul then I can surely forgive Helena."

  Evette looked surprised. "Good for you," was all she could think of in response.

  Armed with trayfuls of mulled wine and mince pies they made their way back into the living room, where Ben was entertaining Helena.

  "Helena, it's so wonderful to see you." Nicole hugged her old friend. "I'm very glad you came."

  Helena hugged her back.

  "Of course I came! I was delighted to hear from you at last. I've missed you so much these past few months, but I figured you needed some space to clear your head." There were tears in her eyes as she sipped her mulled wine.

  "I'm sorry for not keeping in touch with you, Hel. My head was all over the place. I couldn't cope with anything and I was blaming everyone for what happened to me. I even managed to convince myself that you must have known what was going on between Simone and Paul."

  "I swear to you, Nicole, I didn't have a clue what happened between them. I was as shocked as you. If I'd even had an inkling of what they'd done I would have told you straight away."

  "So have you heard from Simone since the wedding?" Evette asked. She and Ben were agog at the latest development in Nicole's life.

  Helena sighed. "Everyone shunned her when they found out what she'd done and Paul wouldn't have anything to do with her. I'm sure she was convinced that they'd become a couple eventually. She fancied him ever since college but you just couldn't see it, Nic. You've always been so trusting of everyone. I get the feeling that she was waiting for her opportunity to pounce on him."

  "It wasn't entirely Simone's fault," Nicole said. "After all, it takes two to tango and Paul was quite happy to tango with her."

  "I suppose," Helena agreed slowly. "I felt so sorry for him after the wedding. He was in an awful state and was desperate to make things up with you. Have you two been in touch at all?"

  "Yeah, we've been seeing a relationship counsellor and we're trying to work it out."

  Helena's eyes widened with surprise.

  "What's Simone up to now?" Nicole asked, quickly changing the subject.

  "She's moved to Australia. When she realised that nothing was going to happen with Paul, she had a bit of a meltdown. She quit her job, packed and moved within a matter of weeks."

  "I thought it took ages to get a visa for Australia," Ben interjected.

  "It usually does take quite a while, but Simone was born there. She moved to Ireland with her family when she was twelve."

  "Good riddance, I say," Evette chimed in.

  "I second that toast." Ben downed the last of his wine in one long gulp and got to his feet.

  "Do you girls have anything decent to drink? Your mulled wine was lovely, Nic, but I'd prefer a cold beer."

  Nicole laughed. "Yeah, sure, help yourself. There are a few cans of Budweiser in the refrigerator."

  The doorbell rang again. Evette groaned. "Do you have any more surprises in store for us tonight, sis?"

  Nicole laughed. "None that I've planned anyway. Mom and Dad should be arriving any minute. Sarah and Liv said they'd be here around seven o' clock to help us decorate the tree. Speaking of which, I need to organise the popcorn and cranberries for our decorations."

  "What are those heavenly smells, darling?" Imelda, the girls' mom arrived into the kitchen, where Nicole was arranging fudge, date petit-fours and all manner of scrumptious goodies on a huge serving plate. She slapped her dad's hand as he quickly popped some fudge in his mouth.

  "Divine," John Baxter smiled at his daughter.

  "Are you ready to party the night away with us youngsters, Mrs. Baxter?" Ben teased, as he helped himself to yet another mince pie.

  "I'll have you know, Ben, that I was quite the dancer in my day," Imelda grinned.

  "You still are darling," John took his wife in his arms and waltzed around the room with her.

  Nicole smiled at her parents, who were so obviously still madly in love with each other. Her mind wandered to Paul and she wondered if, one day, they would ever be as happy together as them.

  Chapter 23

  "Are you sure you won't come Christmas shopping with me and the girls, sis?" Evette asked, as she pulled on her heavy winter coat and tied her reindeer scarf around her neck.

  "Thanks, Ev, but I think I'm going to relax for a few hours. It'll be a relief to have some time on my own this afternoon, no offence."

  "None taken," Evette grinned. "I know how being alone helps you recharge your batteries and it has been very hectic around here lately. I suppose it's like a form of meditation in a way."

  "Thanks for understanding, Ev."

  "No worries, girl. Call me if you change your mind and decide to join us."

  "I will, I promise. Now go and have fun. Don't forget to buy me lots of very expensive presents!" She walked her sister to their front door and watched as she pulled a Santa hat down over her ears. "You're mad, you know that, don't you?"

  "I’m absolutely stark raving bonkers and proud of it!" Evette giggled.

  "Everyone's going to be laughing at you in that hat."

  "I don't care. I love Christmas and it's the only time when even adults can act like big kids, so I'm relishing the opportunity."

  "Get out of here," Nicole shooed her sister out the door and smiled to herself as she closed the door behind her. She breathed a deep sigh of relief. Peace at last.

  Nicole loved Christmas, probably more than anyone she knew, but it was a very stressful time of the year, and particularly stressful this year. She always threw herself into the season's festivities; cooking, shopping and entertaining, but this year it was even more hectic as she also had to plan a wedding!

  William's wedding was finally organised. She'd confirmed the last minute details yesterday. She'd finalised all the delivery items with the suppliers and dropped the Order of Service off at the church for the wedding ceremony, now all that was left was to meet the happy couple.

  Nicole was really looking forward to meeting them, especially William. She'd worked so closely with him over the past few months, she already felt like she knew him well. It was odd to her to have such a strong connection with someone she'd never even met.

  He had been the perfect client and she'd thoroughly enjoyed every minute of planning his wedding. I hope all my future clients are as wonderful as William, she thought as she shut down her computer for the day.

  Nicole padded into the kitchen and poured herself a warm, comforting cup of mulled wine. She savoured its fruity fragrance as she curled up on the couch. The Christmas tree almost
took up half the living room space, but it was worth it. It was decorated in multi-coloured tinsel, popcorn and cranberry threads and of course hundreds of twinkling fairy-lights. The finishing touch was a beautiful gold angel which sat at the top of the tree, watching over everyone. Nicole could happily stare for hours at the tree. It made her inexplicably happy just to sit and watch the dancing shadows cast by the fairy-lights.

  She switched on the electric fire and pulled a blanket across her lap. Then she turned on her Christmas music CD and closed her eyes for a moment to listen to the angelic voice of Celine Dion singing "O, Holy Night." It was her favourite Christmas song and for some unknown reason it always brought tears to her eyes.She lost herself in the music for a few moments and found herself reflecting on the year that was almost over. It had been a year of devastating endings and unexpected beginnings for her. Her entire world had been shaken upside down, but with the knowledge of hindsight, she was glad for everything that had happened.

  She'd been forced out of her comfortable, carefully planned little life and had slowly realised that she hadn't really been consciously living for a very long time. She'd lived her life with meticulous plans and checklists and she had been consumed with achieving and ticking another goal off her list, rather than actually living and feeling joy in her heart and soul.

  Paul dumping her at the altar had been a very painful wakeup call for her. It was categorically the worst thing that had ever happened to her. She'd wondered at times if she'd ever recover, but she had recovered and she was a stronger, better person for all the turmoil that she'd experienced.

  She'd unexpectedly discovered that she liked helping people, but more than anything else she was grateful that she had a renewed relationship with her sister, something which she'd never have discovered if it hadn't been for her disastrous wedding day. They'd never really known each other before the wedding fiasco and now they were the very best of friends.

  Nicole took another sip of her mulled wine and picked up the journal which Paul had given her to read. She looked at its leather cover and was suddenly overcome with nerves. She'd wanted to read it for a while but for some unknown reason she'd kept putting it off. He'd texted her the previous day to ask what she thought and she hadn't replied yet.