The Christmas GETAWAY

Kirsten was broken. Her festive holiday was a disaster, and her relationship was over... wasn’t it?

Over?' Joyce said, thinking that Kirsten was referring to Christmas. 'Surely you don't think we're going to turf you out on Christmas Day!'

She shot her husband Michael a look and he nodded and hurried out of the kitchen.

'It's very kind of you, Joyce,' Kirsten said. 'But we can't stay here. You've got family arriving any minute.' Kirsten really wished Joyce would stop smiling. She couldn't see anything to be happy about.

'Michael's just gone to get a fire going in our holiday lodge, Joyce explained.

'Holiday lodge?'

She waved her hand. 'It's just a cabin, but it's cosy. We don't usually let it out in winter, but you're very welcome to use it.'

'Did you hear that, everyone?' Andreas whooped. Joyce has saved the day again!'

'I can't offer you a swimming pool or spa or anything like you'd get at a hotel,' Joyce said, bashfully. 'But I can provide food, and there are DVDs, books and board games.

Andreas slipped his arm around Kirsten. 'It's not quite over,' he whispered.

If only that were true, Kirsten thought. Their immediate problems may have been solved, but there was still the matter of their daughters not accepting their relationship, not to mention Sophia's antagonism towards Kirsten. How could they be happy knowing they were making their children miserable?

****

Michael rubbed his hands together when he came back. 

'I've got a fire going, and I've put a couple of electric heaters on,' he said, cheerfully. 'I'll drive you to your car, Andreas, so ne you can fetch your luggage. Joyce will show the rest of you to the lodge. If you want it, that is.'

'Oh, yes!' Kirsten said. 'Yes, please, and we'll pay your tears going rate. I don't know what we'd have done without you.' 

Andreas hugged Kirsten and whispered, 'Will you be all right with those three till I get back?'