Mistletoe and Mayhem: A cosy, chaotic Christmas read!. Catherine Ferguson

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СКАЧАТЬ looks straight at me. ‘The fact is, Lola, the company is in dire straits. They’re demanding cutbacks. And that means…redundancies.’

      I freeze at the word.

      ‘You’re an excellent employee, Lola. And you’ll be getting a first class reference from me. But I’m afraid … well, you know what the company policy is on redundancies: last in, first out. I’m so sorry—’

      Her words sink slowly into my fuzzy brain, like rocks in quicksand, and I feel the colour draining from my face.

      She continues talking and I’m looking at her mouth but my mind has already detached itself, whirling off into space.

      I’d really started to believe things were coming together. I’d been all fired up. All set to grab the opportunity with both hands.

      But not only is there no exciting promotion for me.

      I don’t even have a job…

      Two hours later, I’m sitting on a bench staring out over Elmthwaite Lake.

      The flat, grey clouds are reflected in the water, and I dig my hands deeper into my coat pockets. My bag, next to me on the bench, is stuffed to bursting with all my personal stuff from work.

      It’s a freezing cold day in late October, but the brisk three-mile walk to the lake from Pottersdale has warmed me up.

      I feel oddly detached from reality. Hardly able to believe what just happened.

      In fact, I’m half-expecting Marla to suddenly pop up from behind a bush, point at me and yell, ‘Ha! Fooled you!’

      I’d no idea the company was considering staff cuts.

      Barb obviously didn’t know either, or she would never have encouraged me to try for promotion.

      A biting wind rustles through the trees, along the valley.

      So much for my brand new future.

      Thinking of the hopes I’d nurtured, I almost feel like laughing, although it’s far from funny.

      I stare across the lake at the hills in the distance.

      I’ve come here, to this lake-side park – to this very bench, in fact – all my life. Mum used to drive us here when we were young because we loved the play area.

      The playground is still there, nestled in a clearing amongst the trees to my left, a short walk alongside the lake. In my day, it was just your normal swings and teapot lid. But they’ve recently refurbished it and added one of those zip wires that all the kids love. At weekends in summer, the squeals and laughter of them whizzing along can be heard for miles.

      But on a Monday morning, with winter approaching, there’s not a soul about.

      I smile bitterly, remembering how excited I’d been that morning at the prospect of a whole new life opening up. With very little money saved, I’ll be lucky if my redundancy money lasts me beyond Easter.

      The lake blurs and dances in my vision. My fingers are so cold, I can barely unwrap the last of the strawberry chews. The familiar tart/sweet flavour explodes in my mouth and I wait for a sense of calm to creep over me. But it doesn’t seem to be working.

      Then I think of Nathan.

      Nathan believes in me. He’s sure to see the positives in my situation.

      Losing my job is not the end of the world, he’ll say. In fact, it could be a brilliant opportunity for a fresh start.

      Suddenly, I’m filled with a longing to feel his arms tightly around me, telling me everything will be fine.

      I glance at my watch. It’s nearly noon. By the time I walk to the supermarket in Scarsby, Nathan will be on his lunch break. I’ll buy us some sandwiches and we can sit in his car and talk about the future.

      I’ll tell him I’ve decided to train with him for the Great Brig Run.

      He’ll be so pleased.

      Mind made up, I pocket the last of the chew wrappers, zip up my bulky shoulder bag as far as it will go and start walking along the lakeside road towards Scarsby. Icy needles of rain start to prick at my face but I pull up my hood and march on. Several times, I phone Nathan but his mobile is continually engaged.

       Never mind. I’ll surprise him!

      Flushed from my long walk, when I arrive at the supermarket, I head for the customer services desk and speak to Molly, who knows me well.

      ‘Hi, love,’ she says, picking up the internal phone. ‘Meeting Nathan for lunch? I’ll just buzz up …’

      She has a brief conversation with someone in the office.

      ‘He’s got a meeting at one,’ she tells me with a frown. ‘But he says he’ll see you at home later.’

      She sees my crestfallen expression. ‘But he probably won’t be long in his meeting. Do you want to hang around?’

      I nod gratefully.

      It’s wimpish, I know, but I really don’t want to go back to a cold, empty flat. Nathan’s positive take on everything will make me feel so much better. So I tell Molly I’ll go and sit on the seats by the tills and wait.

      I’m on my way over when someone beats me to it.

      Someone familiar.

      It’s Crystal Watson.

      She’s dressed up to the nines in a bodycon black dress and red heels, coat over her arm.

      My heart plummets, the way it does every time I see her, my mind flashing instantly back to that horrible time. Why did I have to run into her, today of all days?

      She’s seen me walking over – I can’t just swerve away – so I paste on a cheerful look and sit down beside her.

      ‘Well, hi!’ She flashes me a phoney smile. ‘What are you doing here?’

      ‘I thought I’d surprise Nathan.’

      ‘Oh, dear.’ Her eyes open wide in fake apology. ‘But I’m here to meet Nathan. We arranged it yesterday. So sorry, Lola.’

      I stare at her, bemused. She’s Nathan’s one o’clock?

      What on earth can it be about?

      Perhaps it’s something to do with the marathon they both took part in the other week. Nathan said a group from the gym were doing it together.

      A large woman with dark hair and a peachy complexion comes over and smiles at us. ‘Crystal Watson?’

      That must be Nathan’s work mate, Kelly. The one who told him to fuck off when he was laughing about her slimming club.

      Crystal stands up. ‘That’s me.’ She smiles and straightens her cute dress.

      Then СКАЧАТЬ