Christmas Memories

By Susan Williams

The Christmas Author
Having recently lost her job, Tammy takes a temporary job as a House Sitter and while there, she meets Tyrone Petty. Tyrone has writer’s block and is often moody and grumpy. Although occasionally, he can be kind and sensitive and that is the person Tammy wants to get to know better.

A Lost Love
Having moved to Australia many years ago, Delia returns home to England. As time goes by, she starts to think about an old flame and turns to social media to find him.

Ask Her
Blake and Simone are in love with each other, but neither of them know that. The trouble is, they are both shy when interacting with people. Will either of them find the courage to ask the other out?

Robin Redbreast
When Robin walks into the card shop, he is instantly attracted to the girl behind the counter, and her great sense of humour.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Susan Williams
• Release date: Nov 29, 2020
• ISBN: 9781005359928

Susan Williams

Hi, I live in Dorset, England and I was a Teaching Assistant. Due to Covid 19 I have decided to retire. Not sure what the future holds with regards to work, but for now, I'm concentrating on my writing and other hobbies.I am married and have two wonderful sons.I enjoy, reading, writing, playing darts, crafts, exploring coffee shops and mooching .

Book preview

Copyright @ Susan Williams

Smashwords Edition

The Christmas Author

Tammy put the newspaper down and looked out of the cafe window. Several children were standing to attention on the stage singing at the top of their voices, aided by an exuberant teacher; and the air was filled with the sound of Carol singers. The place smelt of cinnamon, candy floss, hot chocolate and cranberries.

Any other time, she would have enjoyed this, but not today. She’d lost her job and her flat a couple of months ago and she wasn’t feeling at her best. She had heard that the landlord was refurbishing the whole block so that he could rent it out to those who could afford to pay an exorbitant price; for what was really a large bedsit.

Her sister Zara had said she could stop with her until she was back on her feet, but she'd rejected her offer. Although she loved her sister, she had never got on with her boyfriend; he was opinionated and far too arrogant for her taste. Luckily, mum and dad had taken her in and although she was grateful, at 32, she wasn't too happy; it felt as though she was taking a step back. Even though she adored her mum and dad.

Browsing through the job section of the paper, an advertisement caught her eye. Somebody was looking for someone to look after their house over the Christmas period. She grabbed her things and walked outside, pulled out her mobile and walked along the road until she got a signal. Ten minutes later, she managed to get through and luckily, they invited her for an interview the next day.

The Perfect Job

‘Sit with the others and Mrs Black will see you when she's ready. I'm the butler and my names Grant. Not Mr Grant, Grant will suffice.’

Tammy giggled and sat down. He looked imposing in his black suit and tie.

She looked around the room and suddenly, she wasn't as optimistic as she once was. There must have been six or more people in the room, and they were all dressed in smart clothes and a few of them had briefcases. Did they know something she didn't?

‘Mrs Black will see you now Miss Myers.’

Tammy followed the butler into the office and smiled when Mrs Black smiled at her and shook her hand.

‘You haven't had much luck have you dear,’ she said, looking down at her cv and pointing to the chair opposite.

Tammy didn't like her patronising tone, but rather than pulling her up on it, she sat down and said, ‘Not really, but I'm hoping for better things next year. I'm sure something will come up, it's only a matter of time.’

Mrs Black smiled then said, ‘Well dear, there's not much call for a line stander in Weymouth is there? What exactly is a line stander?’

‘Exactly what it says. If people needed tickets or had to stand in a line for any reason, I would do it for them, then when I got to the front they would take over.’

Mrs Black chuckled to herself then said, ‘Well, if we do accept you, you will be staying in this house for three weeks, starting on the 20th of December. You will be responsible for all the cleaning and maintenance on this place. The owner is in New York for Christmas. I would normally do the job, but I've got to join him tomorrow. Any questions?’

‘When will I hear?’

‘I've got to interview a few more applicants, but I'll let you know before six this evening... either way.’

As Tammy walked down the steps, she looked up at the house, it looked as if it had been two houses once and had been knocked through. She smiled, you couldn't really categorise it as a house, it was more like a mansion, and the thought of cleaning all those rooms didn’t appeal to her at all.

It was seven o'clock now and dejectedly, realising that she hadn't got the job, she started to browse through the job section of the local paper. Ten minutes later, she put the paper down and decided to put her job search on hold, at least until after Christmas.

Despite her negative thoughts about coming home she was loving every minute of it. Her dad had put a shower and toilet in her room, and she had everything she needed. She could go for days without seeing her parents if she wanted some privacy, but she didn't want that. Which is why she was now sitting at the kitchen table eating breakfast with them.

‘I tried to make it as private as I could,’ her father said, and Tammy stood up and kissed him on the cheek and then hugged her mother.

‘I love it, it's good to be back,’ she said happily, and she meant it.

‘You can stay here as long as you like,’ her mother said, grinning from ear to ear. ‘Fancy going Christmas shopping with me tomorrow?’

‘I'd love that, I think I've got enough money left over to buy a few presents.’

‘I've got my retirement fund if you need any money,’ her father said happily.

‘No, it’s all right. I wasn't being serious; I have some savings. Plus, I'll probably sign on in a few weeks.’

‘Do you think you'll go back to London?’

‘I'm not sure, probably not.’

Her parents smiled and she smiled with them, it was great to be home; she had missed them. How could she have thought that coming home would be a nightmare, especially at Christmas.

The Stranger

Sitting in the cafe sipping her mega hot chocolate with her mother, Tammy looked out at