Snow Angels, Secrets and Christmas Cake Read Online Free PDF

own Winter Wonderland – and this was only early December and only Phase One. Everyone ooed and aahed and shrieked (Heddon) and sobbed (Hall) and swore (Jesus). And just as we began the ritual hugging, the Christmas doorbell chime set off. Simon. I was delighted, he’d left work early after all – he knew today was special and I felt warm, fuzzy and grateful all at once. Mrs J shuffled off to get the door and I turned in my seat smiling in anticipation of his arrival. But when Mrs J came back into the room, hands on hips, there was no Simon, just two big, rough men. I had never seen them before, but it was quite clear these two hadn’t turned up for the official launch of my St Moritz-inspired winter wonderland.
    ‘Who...?’ was all I could say.
    ‘They’re bailiffs... say they’ve got a possessive warrant,’ Mrs J said. ‘They’ve come for the house.
    It took several seconds for me to compose myself. I was frozen to the seat and all I could think was how apt that I should sit there like an ice statue in my own winter wonderland. When I tried to stand up, my legs buckled and I fell to the ground, face deep in pure wool, wall-to-wall designer carpet. After a few minutes, I came round, but remained on the floor, gazing upwards, hoping it was all a bad dream and that I’d wake soon. Sam and Gabe were above me, discussing what to do – he was offering mouth to mouth or something equally sinister, but I put my hand in the air before he got any ideas. The thought of his Monster-munch-scented breath lurching towards my lips made me want to heave, which I promptly did – all over my winter white flooring. Of course Heddon and Hall were now in full throttle, screaming, running around in a complete frenzy demanding hot water and towels.
    ‘She’s been sick, she’s not given birth,’ Sam said rudely, while wiping my face with what looked like one of my very expensive linen napkins, which caused me to pass out again.
    Within seconds I was back, having been slapped in the face by a now hysterical Heddon, who was being comforted by Hall. I felt woozy, and with everyone’s blurred face in mine, I turned away. My eyes alighted on the Christmas tree, still magnificent, smothered in a million fairy lights and snowy white baubles... had I dreamt these last few minutes? The smell of Norwegian Pine danced in the air, but however hard I tried to pretend it was a nightmare and I was now back in my own winter wonderland, I was dragged into reality by two balding bailiffs standing over me, impatiently.
    ‘I don’t understand... it’s all a big mistake... isn’t it?’ I felt a tear fall down my cheek.
    ‘No,’ the fatter and lesser tattooed gentleman answered gruffly. ‘Ask your husband, he knows all about it, he’s been in receipt of a Warrant of Possession for several weeks now.’
    ‘Simon knows about this?’ I looked at them.
    The fatter one nodded. ‘He’s known for weeks.’
    ‘Well you’ll need to speak to my husband then and he isn’t here is he. I don’t know anything about it. So would you please leave...’
    ‘You can’t ask them to leave,’ Sam said gently. ‘They have a Notice of Eviction, Tam...’
    ‘Okay... okay,’ I couldn’t think straight, I had no idea what a warrant of possession or a notice of eviction was, but they both sounded terrible – and not something one would associate with Chantray Lane. ‘Well, if you won’t leave, let’s keep this civil and discuss what exactly is going on,’ I said. ‘Mrs J, mulled wine for everyone please,’ I called. I was feigning the ‘good hostess’ trick, but really I needed alcohol in order to bring myself round, comprehend what had just happened and try to deal with it.
    ‘It’s not a bloody drinks party, Tamsin. This is serious,’ Sam snapped from my side. I pulled away from her and addressed the men.
    ‘Please don’t do anything rash just yet – I’m sure we can sort this out. My husband will be home any minute, just sit down over