Maggie looked at Jenny and took her hand gently. ‘I know you’ve been really stressed over Christmas. Next year will be different, I promise,’ she said. ‘We’ll start planning early and give people time to get used to us not being around at Christmas. At least now we’ve got the New Year to look forward to.’
*

‘What about Christmas then?’ Jenny leaned back on her elbows as she lazily surveyed the scene in front of her.

Maggie looked up from her book. ‘What did you say? I thought you said something about Christmas, but I must have heard you wrong seeing as it’s only August.’

‘Well, we always leave it too late to do anything,’ Jenny said. ‘And we decided last Boxing Day that we need to change things.' She traced a spiral in the sand by her beach towel.

‘Do we really? I mean it’s only a couple of days a year.’

‘Yes, we do really! Last Christmas was so stressful. And the one before. And the one …’

‘Yes, I get the picture’. Maggie closed her book. ‘Look, we’ll discuss it when we’re back home. Don’t let’s spoil our holiday. Come on.' She grabbed Jenny’s hand. ‘The water’s looking very inviting.'
*

‘It’s November and we still haven’t planned Christmas.’ Jenny looked at Maggie accusingly. ‘If we’re going away, we need to book something soon.’

‘You want to go away at Christmas,’ Maggie said slowly. ‘That will look a bit strange. When we said we wanted to change things, we didn’t say anything about going away. Just about adjusting the timetable a bit. Who we visit and when. Maybe not staying over.’

Jenny stirred her hot chocolate. ‘OK, well let’s start there. Maybe have Christmas dinner on our own and then a much shorter time visiting …'

‘Let’s discuss this later,’ Maggie interrupted. She grabbed Jenny’s hand. ‘The fireworks will be starting soon. You always love them. They’re so pretty.’
*

'I know it’s only a week away, but we can still get a table at Brown’s for Christmas Day. I know the manager, and he said they had a cancellation. Shall I book it?' Jenny stirred her latte, shattering the carefully crafted pattern on the froth. 

‘Christmas dinner on our own, then we can call in on your folk afterwards and drive to see mine on Boxing Day.’ 

Maggie took a paper napkin and wiped the drips from Jenny’s latte. She said slowly, ‘My family are expecting us for Christmas lunch. I can’t disappoint them now. And Auntie Joan’s over from the States and wants to take us all out for Boxing Day lunch. Next year we can do it your way but this year … well … well it’s all arranged.’

Jenny pushed her coffee away and looked at Maggie. ‘You never intended to change anything, did you?’ she accused. ‘You just pretended to consider something different. And couldn’t be bothered to pretend very convincingly at that. You’ll be lucky if I’m around next Christmas if you never consider my views.’

Maggie took her hand gently. ‘Next year will be different, I promise’ she said. ‘We’ll start planning early and give people time to get used to us not being around at Christmas.’ 

Stephanie Dickinson