A Family Christmas

Stuck in a traffic jam with the snow beginning to fall, this was hardly Mark and Sara’s idea of the perfect Christmas

- Linda Lewis

What’s happening, Mark? Can you see?’ Sara asks as the traffic slows to a crawl.

I open the window and crane my neck out. ‘Nothing. Maybe it’s roadworks?’

‘I wouldn’t think so,’ Sara replies. ‘Not on Christmas Eve.’

We’re completely stuck. Sara glares at the greying sky. ‘Great,’ she says gloomily.

‘Snow’s on the way.’

‘Have something to eat.’ I pull out a sandwich, but Sara waves it away.

‘How can you be so calm? You know what Mum’s like. She hates anyone being late.’

Sara was thinking about last year. We were meant to be there by 2pm but, thanks to bad weather, it was 3pm. Sara’s brother, Thomas (never Tom), lives nearby and arrived early.

Tom’s an accountant with a string of famous clients on his books. All he does is name-drop. His wife’s no better. Louise is always going on about their last amazing holiday or new gadget.