Alice creaked to a stand. ‘Nah, I’m not staying here. Let’s go have a knees-up with the others.’
As soon as they joined in with the dancing, Jamie’s arms curled around her, making Alice’s smile grow bigger. So what if it had been an unusual month, what with all that had happened. Having Jamie around made all the darkness fade to light, and Alice had never felt so happy.
Chapter 36
Jamie
Christmas morning felt surreal to Jamie. He couldn’t help but have a moment where he thought about the friends he had made in prison. He knew what kind of day they would be having, and was so glad he wasn’t there with them anymore.
No one had woken yet, which Jamie was pleased about. He wanted some time to himself to absorb the sun rising on the one day of the year when he normally felt the loneliest.
He stepped outside to the empty street, coffee in hand, enjoying how peaceful it was. Even the dark waves over the road were small with a gentle hiss.
Any view was better than the one from his old cell, but the view from Seaview B&B would always be the most spectacular to him.
Light snowflakes began to fall, but he didn’t go back inside. His dressing gown was keeping him warm enough in the cold breeze, but it was the stillness of the morning that held him captivated.
Soon all the homes in the area would come alive with people opening their presents, the scent of roasting turkey would fill the air, and festive songs would start pouring out from the Jolly Pirate pub as soon as its doors opened.
It had been a nice time of year back when his mum was alive, but after her death, his father would spend most of the day drinking, then pass out by the time dinner was served.
Jamie could hear all their voices. His grandmother trying to be extra cheery, his dad grumbling to himself, Shannon moaning because she didn’t get what she wanted. Then he could hear the men in prison. The ones quietly sobbing, the otherssinging loudly, making the best of their bad situation, the guards reminding everyone visits would commence the following day.
Sighing, he walked to the front wall and sat to drink his coffee. Inhaling the fresh air made him feel alive. Free. He couldn’t help but smile, albeit a small one. It truly was a magical moment, and one he was sure he’d remember forever.
He raised his mug to the sky. ‘Never again.’ Who he was talking to, he wasn’t sure. He just wanted to say his thoughts out loud. Make it clear that his troubled days were well and truly over.
Back inside was Alice and her family, still sleeping. Lizzie and Luna had stayed over. They had a big day ahead of them. One Jamie hoped went to plan.
‘Morning, son,’ said Jed, seeming to appear from nowhere.
Jamie jumped out of his thoughts. ‘Oh, hello. You’re out and about early.’
‘Always am. Besides, I like a walk early Christmas morning. Blows away the cobwebs.’ Jed gazed over at the lighthouse. ‘Once upon a time, I had a different Christmas each year. One with my wife and son. It was just Sophie and me for a while, and now we have Matt. It all changes, son. Best enjoy all the glimmers when we get them.’
‘Glimmers?’
‘Opposite of triggers. And let’s face it, we all have those from time to time.’
Jamie nodded. ‘Christmas can be triggering, I know, but I’m not going to let it own me anymore.’
‘Good for you.’ Jed raised a hand. ‘Right, best get these old knees on the move. Looking forward to seeing you later.’ He winked, then headed off.
Jamie smiled to himself. It was time. Alice needed to wake and open the present he’d bought her. They were due in the pub for dinner at three, and there was so much to do before then.
‘What you doing out there?’ her voice came from the doorway.
He got up to greet her with a kiss under the mistletoe. ‘Just having my coffee.’
Alice sipped some when he offered her the mug. ‘You okay?’
‘Yep. Just eager to unwrap pressies.’
Alice giggled. ‘You sound like Benny. Come on, he’s just got up and is already sitting by the tree.’
They closed the door just as Luna and Lizzie came down the stairs.
‘Merry Christmas,’ said Jamie, greeting them with a hug.
