A frosty edge clung to the late Azer air and Laura’s fingers felt welded to the handle of the buggy she pushed up the High Street. A few flakes of snow had fallen earlier with the tantalising promise of a white Christmas.
Laura wondered if she should wake her daughter to see the lights hanging from the shop fronts and strung high across the street. One look at Evie’s beautiful face amid the blankets she was swaddled in dissuaded her. The train journey had been a long one; there would be time to see the lights afterwards.
There was a huge, sparkling Christmas tree in the market square. The Tree of Lights, the sign said; a place where loved ones could donate in remembrance.
Laura’s heart ached as she read the list of names and messages to all those lost loves. The sadness fought against the bubbling anticipation she’d been nurturing all afternoon.
The small department store was warm and inviting. The scent of orange and cinnamon hung in the air, gentle Christmas tunes drifted to her ears, and decorations shimmered.
The gift; it meant so much to her to get it right. Although, wasn’t this the ultimate in last-minute Christmas Eve shopping? She hadn’t known she was coming until that morning. After months of soul-searching she had finally made a decision. She was nervous, but in her heart she knew it was the right thing to do.
She glanced around at what the store had to offer. It was an unusual mix of high street merchandise and craft gifts. Luxury cosmetics, jigsaw puzzles, handbags, purses, cookery books and homeware. What on earth was she supposed to buy? What do you buy for the mother you’ve never met? A mother only fifteen years older than herself.
Denne historien er fra December 13, 2022-utgaven av My Weekly.
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Denne historien er fra December 13, 2022-utgaven av My Weekly.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
I Can't Wait To Play The Queen Mum
Gracing screens, treading boards, royal roles much-loved actress Dame Penelope Wilton has done it all!
TAKING CANCER TO THE CATWALK X
Teacher Mary Jones reflects on the extraordinary way her breast cancer diagnosis challenged her view on womanhood and ultimately led her to a London catwalk
Fighting For All Women
Diagnosed with breast cancer aged 36, Jessica Parsons is raising awareness of the disease in younger women
The Fall Guy
Surely Caitlin’s boyfriend had nothing to do with all the drama going on at the jeweller’s...
The Widow At Number Ten
There were many secrets to unpack in this old house
Old Habits Die Hard
Even for our lively suburb, gunshots were pretty unusual and was curious to find out what was going on
A Wedding To Remember
Surely nothing would spoil this special day.
Distinctly Feline Flavour
Desperation forces Chris to add something unusual to his cup of tea!
The Old Burgundy Book
Within its ageing pages Rosie found a story of fading romance and a fresh chance for love to bloom...
The Haunted Ballroom
Mysteries swirled around this magical place...