An Unusual Christmas

Grace’s traditional festive plans are in disarray this year, until a good neighbour drops by

- DIANA ASHMAN

GRACE looked out of her window into the small garden of her cottage. The recent drought had made short shrift of her plants and shrubs.

But, on the bright side, the sun was starting to brighten up the day and the grass was finally green again after some unexpected but extremely welcome rainfall.

Grace was thinking about Christmas. She’d decorated her small tree with a lot of hope in her heart. Would her daughter be able to make it?

She’d spent years going all out at Christmas. The tradition had been passed down from mother to daughter for generations. Was it going to die with her?

Lilly didn’t like cooking very much but her husband didn’t seem to mind. Grace was always happy to put on the huge spread everyone seemed to enjoy so much, despite the December heat.

Grace’s brother and his family would descend on her every Christmas for five days and she’d do the honours happily. But this year Eric couldn’t make it. It was a first. His wife had finally got sick of his chronic addiction to work and they were currently separated.

She’d “met” someone else, although she’d insisted it wasn’t an affair. Eric, understandably, was pretty broken up and wanting to stay in Joburg to spend as much time with his children as possible.

EVEN though it was a bit like crying over spilt milk or too little too late, Grace was at a loss. She was heartsore for Eric. She adored his kids, she was fond of his wife. She needed to cook for people at Christmas. It was in her DNA.