Home Alone
Womans Weekly Fiction Special|December 2019
It was clear that Carrie’s unexpected guests didn’t understand her aversion to all things festive
Alison Carter
Home Alone

Carrie Mason liked Christmas in her coffee shop precisely because it was guaranteed to be quiet. Really quiet.

Sure, she liked it at other times of year, too, busy with customers, a cappuccino sliding over the counter every minute. But there was satisfaction in surveying her domain when it was scrubbed and silent and everything was in its place and set to stay that way. Carrie liked the solitude, and she especially liked it, because the rest of the country was crammed into stuffy dining rooms, fighting, eating too much, wasting their money and fighting some more.

The door opened and an older woman stood in the doorway and shook heavy snow from her clothes, careful to make it land outside. A chilly, metallic scent drifted in with her. It spoke to Carrie of worse weather ahead.

‘Gosh, open on Christmas Eve,’ the woman said.

Carrie smiled. ‘What can I get you?’ Some people did still go out on the day before Christmas; not everyone was wrapping pointless gifts.

‘Hot chocolate, if you have it,’ said the woman.

She was smiling but Carrie sensed sadness. She had a knack for judging mood.

‘I sure do.’

The Carrie Coffee Emporium was a successful enterprise on the outskirts of a rural town 50 miles west of Chicago. Carrie lived above the shop. The highway brought plenty of passing custom and a loyal clientele walked or drove from town to enjoy her superior brews and gorgeous cakes.

The scenery helped, too, though winters had been worse lately. Snow had fallen for days, and it was starting to bank up in the dip where the coffee shop stood alone, except for a kitchen showroom, closed for Christmas.

‘Last day’s work before a break?’ the woman asked as Carrie laid the cup down.

‘Actually, I’m open tomorrow,’ Carrie said.

‘Really? You’re not going to family?’

This story is from the December 2019 edition of Womans Weekly Fiction Special.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the December 2019 edition of Womans Weekly Fiction Special.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM WOMANS WEEKLY FICTION SPECIALView All
Womans Weekly Fiction Special

The Perfect Gift

The change to their Christmas plans was a shock, though it could teach them a lesson…

time-read
4 mins  |
December 2020
Womans Weekly Fiction Special

Christmas Is Coming

With all the mess, noise and disruption, she was seriously struggling to embrace the festive spirit

time-read
4 mins  |
December 2020
Womans Weekly Fiction Special

The Generation G-App

It was a lovely idea, but surely there was no way the project would become a successful reality?

time-read
8 mins  |
December 2020
Womans Weekly Fiction Special

The Christmas Tree

The cottage had no festive cheer, but could Jennie create the impression of Yuletide joy before it was too late?

time-read
6 mins  |
December 2020
Womans Weekly Fiction Special

We All Stand Together

If the plan failed, Joan wouldn’t be the only one having an unhappy Christmas

time-read
9 mins  |
December 2020
The Christmas Robin
Womans Weekly Fiction Special

The Christmas Robin

Presents to buy, food to cook and a tree to decorate – could she create the perfect day?

time-read
8 mins  |
December 2020
Maudie's First Christmas
Womans Weekly Fiction Special

Maudie's First Christmas

With all her dreams of a family Christmas dashed, it seemed that Ruth would have to adjust to a very different festive season this year...

time-read
8 mins  |
December 2020
Womans Weekly Fiction Special

Friends Like You

Leah was about to find out what sort of people she’d had in her life all these years…

time-read
9 mins  |
December 2020
Womans Weekly Fiction Special

Breaking Point

She hoped her children would start to compromise soon, or they were in for a distinctly frosty festive season

time-read
9 mins  |
December 2020
A CHAT WITH... Sarah Morgan
Womans Weekly Fiction Special

A CHAT WITH... Sarah Morgan

Well-known for her heart-warming family tales, Sarah Morgan’s latest novel is packed full of love and laughter. Here, she reveals how she comes to craft her characters and she gave her new release that sprinkle of festive magic...

time-read
2 mins  |
December 2020