CHRISTMAS Secrets
The first flakes of snow were just starting to fall as Maggie reached her front door. She put down her heavy bags and couldn’t help swirling around with her arms outstretched, joyfully gazing skyward.
‘It’s snowing!’ she called to her youngest son, Tom, as he came to open the door for her. ‘Look.’
Tom exclaimed in glee, then he rushed back inside to fetch his brother Andy and granddad, Charlie.
‘Magic,’ Andy said. ‘We haven’t had snow for years.’
‘How wonderful,’ smiled Charlie, holding onto Tom’s shoulder for support as he gazed upwards too.
‘Do you think we’re going to have a white Christmas, Granddad?’ Tom asked.
Charlie looked earnest. ‘Sure of it. It’s the first Christmas celebrating living with my wonderful family, so everything’s going to be absolutely perfect.’
Maggie hugged her dad. She really hoped so.
She laughed as she watched the boys cavorting around, taking selfies. Andy might be 15 and Tom only two years younger, but they were like little kids at heart.
Noticing that Charlie was shivering, Maggie took him gently by the arm. ‘Come on, Dad, let’s get you back inside.’
‘What have you got in those bags, Mum?’ asked Tom, trying to peer in them.
‘None of your business,’ said Maggie firmly.
‘Presents?’ Tom asked.
‘What’s all the noise?’ came a deep voice from behind them. Maggie turned, surprised, as her husband John walked into the hall. She hadn’t even realised
