Christmas Shopaholic(111)

“Yes!” she says, fluffing out her hair, looking embarrassed. “Well. Thank you. Thank you all.” She picks up the teapot and suddenly looks delighted. “I will enjoy using this,” she says. “I really will.”

“So, next up, my present for Suze,” I announce. “Jess told us how she was giving everyone a zero-waste present, and we were inspired. So we’re giving each other things from our own possessions. Only I just couldn’t decide, so…wait a sec…”

I head out of the room, grab the sack I’ve tied with a big red bow and hidden in the coat cupboard, and drag it back into the room.

“Suze, here’s a load of my stuff. Just have what you want. Honestly. I think it would all suit you.”

“Bex!” gasps Suze. “I did the same!” She reaches behind the sofa and hauls out three bin bags, and I stare at them in excitement. Three bin bags full of Suze’s stuff? This is the most perfect Christmas present ever! I can’t resist reaching into one of them, and I pull out her pale pink slouchy cashmere sweater.

“I’ve always loved this,” I say in elation.

“I’ve always loved this!” rejoins Suze, pulling out my Ally Smith cardigan with the signature button. “Oh my God, Bex, are you sure?”

“Of course! Put it on! Let me see!”

“Maybe you should sort it all out after lunch,” says Luke hurriedly. “Or…after Christmas, even. Is it lunchtime perhaps? Shall we do the rest of the presents later?”

“Yes,” I say reluctantly, putting back a feather boa. “Or, actually…no!” I sit up, struck by an idea. “I think Jess and Tom should give out their presents before lunch. Are you still giving us all words?” I say curiously to Jess.

“Yes,” says Jess, flushing faintly. “We have a word for each of you.”

I can’t wait to hear these words. I’ve never been given a word before in my life.

“Well…fab,” I say. “Bring it on.”

Jess and Tom stand up and walk over to Dad, who says, “Me?” and laughs nervously—then lapses into silence under the steady gaze of Tom and Jess. They look at him quietly for a few more moments, and I start to feel prickly. This is quite magical. As I glance around the room, I think everyone feels the same way—kind of overawed and wondering what’s going to happen next. It’s as though we’re at some special ceremony all of a sudden.

At last, Tom says seriously, “Graham, we would like to give you the word…‘Wise.’?”

“Goodness,” says Dad, looking taken aback. “Well…thank you. Thank you very much!”

As if they’ve practiced this (which they probably have), Tom and Jess move in sync toward Clemmie and give her the same grave look.

“Clemmie,” says Jess softly, “we would like to give you the word ‘Nightingale.’?”

Nightingale! That’s genius, because Clemmie has actually got a lovely singing voice.

“Thank you,” says Clemmie, looking a bit nonplussed, then Tom and Jess move to Tarkie.

“Tarquin,” says Tom, “we would like to give you the word ‘Dynamic.’?”

That’s really clever for Tarkie, too, because I can see how chuffed he is. And now they’re heading toward me, their faces intent—and in spite of myself I feel a giant spasm of nerves. Please not “Overdraft.” Or “Flaky.”

“Becky,” says Jess seriously, “we would like to give you the word ‘Joy.’?”

Joy? I got joy? I feel ridiculously pleased and shoot a delighted smile at Luke. I got joy!

As Jess and Tom move around the room, I’m mesmerized—in fact, everyone is. Janice gets “Beauty,” which makes her pinken with pleasure. Luke gets “Integrity,” which I know will make his day. At last, everyone has received a word, and Tom and Jess face each other, with Santiago standing between them, his eyes huge.

“Tom,” says Jess, her face solemn. “I give you ‘Strength.’?”

“Jess,” says Tom, “I give you ‘Resolute.’?”

Then they both turn to Santiago and start doing what I guess is sign language, while he watches, wide-eyed. They finish and there’s a tiny pause before they draw breath and say gently, in unison, “Santiago. Our son. We give you ‘Cherished.’?”

Cherished. Oh my God. My throat is all choked up, and I decide instantly that I never want anything for Christmas again except a word. Words rock. Words rule. Words are the best present ever.



* * *



—

As we gather around the table twenty minutes later, everyone is still a bit bowled over by their amazing words.

“My word is ‘Valiant,’?” Ernie keeps telling everyone proudly. “It means brave. It means I’m very brave.”

“Oh, Becky!” Janice suddenly exclaims. “I nearly forgot. I’ve got another tiny thing for you. Nothing much, really, but I picked it up at the Christmas Style Fair. I meant to give it to you on the day as a thank-you, but I forgot. Quite fun, I thought.” She pops out to the hall, then hands me a little gift bag. “As I say, it’s just a tiny thing….”

I reach into the gift bag, expecting a lip gloss or something—but my hand closes over a soft object wrapped in tissue paper. I pull it out and see a flash of silver. And my heart catches.