Fiction Serial: The Midnight Tree (Part 2)
WRITTEN BY CAMILLA KELLY
Enjoy the final part of this festive two-part serial. If you missed Part 1, catch up here…
It’s one disaster after another for Sarah’s family – and now a stranger has arrived on Christmas Day expecting the impossible…
Sarah followed her family and their strange visitor into the kitchen where Mia made the man a mug of tea.
“I see you’ve had a couple of disasters,” the stranger said cheerfully, shaking the snow off his shoulders.
The blackened turkey still sat miserably on the table amid the chaos of stuff brought up from the cellar to be saved from the burst pipe. Mia’s Christmas present – the damaged music stand – took up space in the corner.
“You could say that,” Sylvester said, leaning against the counter so he could take the weight off his plaster-clad foot.
Ollie finally joined them, bouncing up from the cellar with his wrench aloft.
Congratulate me – I fixed the pipe! Yes, I am a superhero.
The rest of the family looked at him, dripping wet in his Spiderman pyjamas, his hair plastered to his head, and burst out laughing.
“Oh, hello,” Ollie said to the stranger, blushing. “I didn’t know anyone was here.”
The stranger gazed around at the family with interest.
“I came in hope of a tree,” he said to Ollie. “Might you be able to help me?”
Ollie wrung the water from his hair.
“I’m sorry, we’ve none left.”
“So I hear, but surely there’s something you can do?”
He smiled that massive smile again, as if trying to charm Ollie into helping.
“The thing is,” Sylvester explained, stepping forward, “it’s a very old tradition that we don’t chop down any trees after Christmas Eve.”
“I see…”
“It’s a mark of respect,” Sylvester went on, neglecting to mention that Sarah and Ollie had broken that tradition, last night.
“Respect? Really? To whom?”
Sylvester blinked. “I’m not sure.”
The stranger unzipped his coat and sat down at the kitchen table, stretching his legs, one hand on his mug of tea. He seemed so settled, it was as if they’d never shift him. Sarah pictured him still there as they ate their dinner and pulled crackers over his head.
“I think I’ve heard of this tradition,” he said thoughtfully. “Terrible consequences for breaking traditions, I understand. Bad luck and curses and all that. Never another happy Christmas, that kind of thing.”
Bella looked at Sarah anxiously.
“Told you,” she mouthed.
Sarah felt a shiver up her spine.
“Well, I don’t know that I believe in the superstition,” Sylvester began.
“Yes, I’m sure it’s nothing to worry about,” the stranger said cheerfully.
“Do you think so?” Bella demanded.
Your father knows these things.
It was the most ambiguous answer Sarah could imagine. Sylvester was the one who had warned them about cutting down the tree in the first place.
The stranger took a delicate sip of his tea, leaving the rest of them standing around uncertainly.
It was clear Mia no longer felt equal to the task while still in her pyjamas.
“If you’ll excuse us for a few minutes,” she said, “it’s time we were dressed. Sarah, Ollie, you’ll keep our guest company, won’t you?”
Before they could answer, she and Sylvester had dragged Bella away.
The stranger began to work his way through a packet of mince pies.
Sarah took the opportunity to search among the chaos for the bracelet Harry had given her. The thought that she may have lost it made her feel sick.
With him doubting her commitment already, she wasn’t sure any more that he’d forgive her for losing his gift.
Once, she thought she’d found it, but it was just the silver eyelets of the stranger’s shoes glinting under the table.
“Oh dear,” he said. “Have you lost something?”
“Sarah – what are you doing?” Ollie asked. The peel of the orange he was eating was contributing to the clutter.
“Harry gave me a silver bracelet for Christmas and it’s fallen off my wrist – have you seen it?”
Ollie just watched her.
A bracelet? Sounds like a serious gift. How come you didn’t show me?
“I only just opened it. Give me a hand, would you?”
“You haven’t seen Harry since last week. Don’t tell me you resisted opening your present for that long?” Ollie teased. Turning to the stranger, he said, “We used to call her Professor Sellotape because she had this trick of peeling the paper off her presents to find out what they were, days before Christmas –”
“Hey!” Sarah cut in. “I made myself wait, OK? I did it because I couldn’t be with Harry and my friends for the last week of all the parties and stuff…”
“Why not?” the stranger asked, nosily.
“I had to be here to help with the farm.”
“Oh. That’s tough.”
“No, I don’t mind. Family business.”
“Your boyfriend didn’t mind either?”
Sarah paused. Both men were looking at her expectantly.
“Harry understands.”
“I’m sure he’ll understand about the bracelet too,” Ollie said cheekily.
“Never mind,” the stranger said. “You’re young and you seem a lovely girl, I’m sure you’ll get another.”
“Excuse me?”
“Bracelet, I mean. I’m sure he’ll buy you another.” He looked mortified, but she could swear there was a glint of mischief in his eye. “Not boyfriend.”
Ollie snorted with amusement. Sarah scowled at him, because she didn’t have the nerve to scowl at the stranger.
Just how long was this man intending to stay? She sneaked a look into his mug, but it was still full and steaming hot.
Bella was the first one back again, dressed in a Christmas jumper with white fluffy snowballs on it. She hopped onto the seat next to the stranger.
“Would you like some chocolate?” she asked him as she reached into her stocking for the chocolate coins buried in the toe.
I always have chocolate for breakfast at Christmas.
“How very civilised.”
Their excitement faded, though, when then discovered the coins all melted together in one hard lump.
“Oh dear. That’s a shame. Santa must have left them by the radiator.”
Sarah eyed him suspiciously but he seemed genuinely disappointed for Bella. Either that or he’d really been hoping for some chocolate.
“That’s OK,” Bella said stoically. “Sometimes it tastes better like this.” She set about trying to untangle the gold foil from the edible bits.
The stranger beamed at her.
“That’s the attitude!”
It was a shame that Sarah couldn’t find the same positive attitude about her bracelet. She slumped miserably into a chair, running her thumb over her mobile phone, wishing Harry would text so she’d know everything was OK.
“Your Aunt Stella has just sent a message,” Mia said, returning to the kitchen. “She’s not too sure about driving in this weather so she might not make it for dinner.”
“What a pity,” the stranger mused. Sarah narrowed her eyes at him – was he sincere?
“It won’t be the same without her, and I don’t like to think of her alone at Christmas,” Mia said.
Ollie gave his mother a consoling hug, smearing her cardigan in orange juice.
“Don’t worry, Mum. I’ll take the truck and fetch her myself if it doesn’t clear up.”
“Oh, would you?” she said, delighted.
“It seems there’s a solution for everything,” the stranger said to Bella. She gave him a nugget of chocolate she’d prised free and he thanked her kindly.
“My turn to get dressed,” Sarah said. She passed her father in the hallway.
“Still here?” he whispered.
She nodded grimly.
She was halfway up the stairs when she heard Sylvester complain loudly that there were no mince pies left.
There goes another tradition…
By the time she came back, Bella was showing the stranger the tree, pointing out the star she’d made and all the ornaments they’d collected over the years. Ollie was in the doorway, watching.
“Hasn’t he finished his tea yet?” Sarah asked him.
The man still held the mug in his hands. Bella might be charmed by him, but Sarah wasn’t so sure.
“I’ve never known anyone nurse a cup of tea like that,” Ollie said.
She looked at Ollie.
You’re not really going to try to drive in this weather, are you? I think it’s actually getting worse.
“I’ll be fine. The truck can handle it. Plus, if that old guy can do it…” he nodded cheekily at their guest. “You’re not worried, are you?”
“A little. Bella’s right, everything’s off kilter today.”
She could handle burned turkeys and damaged gifts, but she couldn’t cope with anything happening to Ollie.
“Don’t tell me you believe that silly superstition? I suppose you think we’ve been cursed?”
She was quiet. Maybe she couldn’t say it out loud yet, but she did have her suspicions.
“Look at him,” she whispered, gesturing discreetly to their visitor. He was gazing up at the star on the tree, head tilted, apparently in no hurry to get back to his family at all. Sarah could swear he still had snowflakes on his jacket. “You can’t tell me this is normal.”
Ollie considered.
“OK. Next year we’ll pick our tree out a week in advance,” he said, wryly.
Testingly, she said, “You might have to do without me next year.”
“Why?” He laughed heartily. “Where are you going to be?”
She paused. “Australia.”
He stopped laughing.
She cleared her throat. “With Harry.” She may as well tell him. She couldn’t expect Bella to keep the secret, it wasn’t fair. “For a year or so…”
“You’re going to be away over Christmas? But… you can’t.”
“Why not?”
“Because…” He scrambled for an answer. “It’s hot there. You’ll hate it.”
She laughed. “I think I could stand it.”
What about Mum and Dad? And Bella? And the farm?
“It’ll be something different, that’s all,” she said carefully. “I know you like our Christmas traditions –”
“No, I just think –”
“What?”
“It’s a bit selfish. That’s all.”
Sarah froze, injured. Ollie lifted his head defiantly.
“What’s going on, you two?” Mia said, coming out of the kitchen. Behind her, Sylvester was at the table preparing sprouts. No-one even liked sprouts, Sarah thought moodily. Stubbornly, neither she nor Ollie answered her.
Bella, who had overheard the argument, announced, “Sarah’s going to Australia with Harry.”
“Oh, Sarah.” Mia held her hands to her chest. “How exciting for you.”
Sarah could have kissed her.
“But she’ll be gone for Christmas,” Ollie said churlishly.
“Well, we’ll miss her. We’ll just have to make sure this Christmas is one to remember.”
“No problem there,” Ollie snorted. “It’s already ruined.”
“Is that my fault?” Sarah snapped.
“You sold our last tree.”
“A minute ago, you didn’t believe a word of it!”
“I changed my mind.”
It was such a contrary statement, even Bella giggled. Ollie threw his hands up.
“It was your idea to chop down another one,” Sarah reminded him. “We had to have a tree, just like we have to have a turkey, and more sprouts than anyone wants to eat – because it’s tradition.”
“Stop it, you two,” Sylvester said, raising himself out of his chair. “What will our guest think of us?”
The man glanced away discreetly, but he did seem a little uncomfortable.
“Really,” he said, “I only came here for a tree…”
“And this Christmas is not ruined,” Sylvester went on. “Your mother has put a lot of work in – we all have – and it’s ungrateful to say that it’s ruined.”
Ollie was shamefaced.
Mia broke the awkward silence.
I just wanted this Christmas to be perfect. After all the disasters of the last few years.
Ollie and Sarah glanced at each other, bafflement overriding their scowls.
“What disasters?”
They’d always had great Christmases.
“You know. Last year the fridge freezer broke down and we had to eat everything two days early, and the year before we spent three hours at the airport waiting for your grandad’s flight.”
“Oh yeah. I forgot that,” Sarah said.
“I didn’t,” Ollie said, grinning. “There was that air hostess called Sandy…”
“And this year, what with your father’s accident…”
The stranger stepped forward.
“What did happen to your foot?”
Sylvester turned a little pink. Mia said, “He fell off a neighbour’s roof, trying to put a plastic reindeer up.”
Ollie burst out laughing. “You didn’t! You told us you were fixing a loose tile!”
“He was embarrassed,” Mia replied. “I really don’t know why.”
“He’s always complaining about ‘those hideous ornaments’, that’s why,” Sarah said, as amused as her brother.
“Yes,” Mia said, “but you should have seen the faces on the Douglas kids when they came home and saw it all.” She hugged Sylvester’s arm proudly.
“More importantly,” Sylvester said, “that all happened before the tree was cut down. So no more talk of curses and ruined Christmases, please. Mia, you must stop feeling every year has to be perfect. There will always be disasters. We’ll have a lovely Christmas, like always. The disasters will become funny stories we’ll tell another year.”
“The year Dad fell off the roof putting up a hideous plastic reindeer he’d complained about for months,” Ollie suggested helpfully.
“The year Ollie chatted up an air hostess and got a kiss under the mistletoe just before her boyfriend turned up,” Sarah teased in turn.
She and Ollie glanced at each other, smiling. The tension was defused.
“Better fetch Aunt Stella,” Ollie said. “She won’t want to miss all the funny stories.”
“I think your sister is right,” the stranger mused. “Not the best weather for driving.”
“Yet you managed to find your way here,” Ollie noted.
“Oh, but I have snow tyres – and excellent eyesight.”
“You should listen to him,” Bella said anxiously, standing beside the stranger.
Sarah was perplexed. Was the man trying to help? Or was he trying to mess up their plans in every way possible?
However she added her own appeal.
“Don’t go, Ollie.”
But Aunt Stella! We can’t leave her.
“I’ll come with you,” Sylvester offered.
“No,” Bella and Sarah said together.
“Oh dear,” the stranger said. “I shouldn’t be in the middle of a family dispute. I really do wish you’d just let me have a tree.”
Ollie threw his hands in the air.
“OK, I’ll cut you down a tree! Of course I’ll have to drive out there to do it…”
“You can have our tree,” Bella said.
They all looked at her in bemused amazement. The tree had always been her favourite thing about Christmas.
“Bella, there’s no need,” Sylvester said.
“But there is. We shouldn’t have had it in the first place. It’s only right.” She turned to the stranger. “Isn’t it?”
“Well,” he said, “my grandchildren would certainly appreciate it.”
Bella went to the tree and carefully took off the most precious ornaments, leaving the star on the top.
“Your grandchildren might like it.”
The stranger was cheerful as he carried the tree to the front door.
“Let me help you,” Ollie said. “Where did you say you parked your car?”
“Is it safe to drive?” Mia asked.
“Thank you, Ollie, but I don’t have to go far. And Mia, I believe the weather is beginning to clear.”
Sure enough, when he opened the door they saw the dark sky had lightened.
Oh. look! What’s this in among the pine needles?
The stranger handed Sarah her silver bracelet.
“Thank you.” She felt limp with relief.
“My pleasure. Merry Christmas!” he said, heading out into the snow.
It seemed to be clearing inch by inch. They all watched keenly. At the end of the drive, a dark shape became visible between snow flurries. A moment later they heard the click of a car door.
“There’s his car!” Sarah, Ollie and their parents began to laugh.
“Did you really think –?”
“How ridiculous!”
“Well, he got his tree,” Ollie said.
“But now we don’t have one.” Sarah felt such a fool now for the way her imagination had run away with her.
“Or a turkey. Or any mince pies…”
“I don’t mind,” Bella said easily. “We’ll do something different this year. Next year will be different too; we’ll have Christmas in summer, before Sarah goes away. Or when she comes home. Or both!”
Sarah kissed her forehead.
“I think you’re about to get another gift,” Ollie said to Sarah, as another car pulled into their drive.
“Harry!” She ran to meet him.
“Hi there.” He caught her up when she threw herself into his arms. “That’s a nice welcome.”
“Did you ever doubt it?”
“Not for a minute.”
“I can’t believe you drove all this way – in this weather!”
“I had to see what a real Christmas looks like.” He squeezed her. “And it wasn’t so bad. There was only snow for the last few miles.”
She laughed. Imagine them thinking it was practically a new ice age.
“That scheming old bloke…” she muttered. The stranger had twisted them around his little finger.
“Don’t say that,” Bella said, lobbing a well-aimed a snowball at Sarah. “I still think there was something magical about him.”
“This guy came wanting a tree,” Sarah explained to Harry. “Bella thinks he was here to punish us for chopping down a tree after Christmas Eve.”
“Not punish,” Bella said. “I think he came to give us another chance.”
Sarah rolled her eyes. She was never going to believe a story like that again.
“We were completely taken in.”
Mia came rushing to the door.
“Girls, you have to come and see my music stand! It must have been a spot of damp or something – I just gave it a wipe over and it’s as good as new. The tree looks so real!”
Bella sent Sarah a satisfied smile.
“I still don’t believe it.” Sarah put her arm around Harry and they followed Bella inside. “Not a single word…”
If you enjoyed this serial, read our others…
