Home Is Where The Heart Is

Jodie knew exactly what would make little Bella’s Christmas – and it wasn’t the star on the top of the tree…

- Jay Fejer

There!’ Jodie shouted to make herself heard above the carols. ‘Over by the inflatable Santas!’ ‘It would have to be right at the back,’ Lynne sighed.

The homeware store was seething with people. Everyone was out for a bargain before the shops shut. Getting through the crowd with a pushchair and two six-year-olds was going to be a real struggle.

‘We’ve got to go for it, haven’t we?’ Jodie said.

Lynne nodded.

They both had their hearts set on 2019’s must-have tree accessory – a big wire star that twinkled and played 10 different seasonal tunes. The star would really liven up the tree Jodie had bought in the market. She’d got it half price because it was already a bit bald. She wanted everything to be lovely because this was to be their first Christmas in their cosy new home – just her and Bella.

‘Mummy,’ Bella piped up. ‘Can we go and see Father Christmas?’

‘Maybe later,’ Jodie said doubtfully. The tinsel grotto was expensive. And she couldn’t see the point in paying for Bella to ask a stranger in a Santa outfit for toys they couldn’t afford, or worse a visit from the father who hadn’t bothered to send a card.

Lynne lowered her head like a rugby player about to make a run for the line, and launched into the heaving crowd.

Jodie checked her watch. It couldn’t be! She checked her phone. It was! They had been so long in the supermarket, stopping at the cafe for frothy hot chocolates and mince pies, she’d have to get a move on or she’d be late for work again.

As they reached the display, a woman stuffed the last three stars in her trolley.

‘Hey,’ Jodie shouted. ‘You can’t take them all.’

The woman wrinkled her nose and just walked away.