Alex gave her a tight hug. Her little girl was growing up and in a few years she probably wouldn’t let her mum do this so she had to make the most of it now.
‘Mum, I’m going to be late,’ Zara said, her voice muffled as her face was pressed against her dress.
Alex quickly let her go and with a wave Zara and Quinn left.
‘I have to go too,’ Immy said, pulling on her bright purple coat and wrapping her big red scarf round herneck twice. ‘I have yoga tonight but I could pick up a takeaway for us on the way home?’
‘Sounds perfect.’
With that Immy walked out the door, leaving Alex alone. She reached up to where she could still feel Quinn’s lips on her cheek. She had liked that way too much and the worrying thing was she was pretty sure Quinn had seen her reaction to it too.
CHAPTER 2
Alex walked towards the Wonky Tree Studios a short while later, as tiny flakes of snow swirled through the air. It definitely felt like it was cold enough to have a winter storm but right now the snow wasn’t even settling. It would be nice if they had some proper snow for Christmas Day but that was a few days away yet. Knowing the British weather they’d be having some kind of heatwave by then.
The Wonky Tree Studios was a large house on top of the hill overlooking Lovegrove Bay, earning its name from the wonky tree that stood next to it, bent at such an angle it looked like it had been caught in a hurricane. The tree was currently covered in lights and various ornaments made by the artists who worked in the house.
The house was an art studio where ten artists, working in various different mediums, made and sold their goods. She and Quinn each had a studio on thesecond floor. The third floor held a café with the most amazing cakes and a gift shop that sold, among other typical gift shop wares, all the things anyone would need to try their hand at their own arts and crafts. On the top floor lived the owners, Luke and Flick.
Alex walked inside and immediately the warmth of the house swallowed her. Most of the artists were here already, getting ready for another busy day. She spotted Luke, one of the artists and the owner of the house, and his wife Flick talking very excitedly about something. She had become quite close with the two of them since she had started working at the Wonky Tree Studios, especially Flick who worked in the gift shop, upstairs. Alex and Quinn had joined them for dinner sometimes too and the four of them always got on really well. Alex waved hello and they gestured her over.
‘We got one,’ Flick said, her face alight with happiness.
Alex spotted the bauble in Luke’s hand as she walked over. ‘Oh wow, Immy found one this morning too.’
‘What did she get?’ Luke asked.
‘A pair of roller skates. She gave it to Zara, she loves roller skating and practically lives in her skates.’
‘It does seem that St Nick is creating these baubles for specific people, or at least in the hope that they find their way to specific people,’ Flick said.
‘What does yours have on it?’ Alex asked.
Luke and Flick looked at each other and Flick shrugged. ‘We might as well show her, it’s only just over a week away.’
Luke nodded. ‘We’re not telling many people right now. Quinn knows and Flick’s nan but we wanted to wait until three months, which would be on Christmas Eve. We also thought we’d wait until after Christmas so people didn’t feel obligated to buy us baby-related Christmas presents.’
Alex stared at them. ‘You’re pregnant? Oh my god, congratulations, that’s such wonderful news.’
She hugged them both.
‘I’m so happy for you.’
‘Thank you,’ Flick said. ‘We’re obviously over the moon. But this is the bauble that was left for us.’
Luke showed Alex the bauble and she saw a pair of knitted yellow baby booties surrounded by holly leaves and berries had been painted on the side. It was beautiful.
‘So we think we know who St Nick is,’ Flick said excitedly.
‘You do?’
‘Flick thinks she does, I’m not so sure,’ Luke said.
‘Well, who do you think it is?’ Alex said eagerly.
‘I’m not sure it’s a good idea to expose them,’ Luke said. ‘If Flick is right. Not when the mystery of his or her identity is what makes this so exciting for everyone. They’ve done an excellent job keeping it a secret and we don’t want to ruin it for them.’
‘I promise not to tell anyone,’ Alex assured them.
