The four men exchange wary expressions, none of them exactly moving, but all shifting in their seats.

Michael caves first. He fills his lungs then, pulling the creation over his head, tugs it into place. The pullover is a perfect fit on chest and arm and only the Let It Snow logo looks in any way out of place.

As he moves, James, Richard and Larry unfreeze, donning their joke-wear.

All sit, refusing to meet each other’s eyes. Finally, Richard says, “Well, at least we know the worst is over.”

Mitch’s mouth twitches and she whips something from her pocket, aiming at him: a small control panel. She squeezes a button and Santa’s nose starts flashing in time to the tune of Deck The Halls With Boughs Of Holly…

Charlotte and Beth both crease up laughing. Mitch extends the controls again to James and his sweater bleeps out Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer, then Michael’s bursts into Frosty The Snowman…

Larry turns, raising a finger… “No…” But it’s too late. His own woolly launches into Let It Snow…

James erupts from his seat. “Absolutely not!”

He makes to take off Rudolph, but Mitch clicks again, and the jingle stops. Then she paints on an expression of fake contrition. “I’m so sorry, Ryan. If I’d known you’d be here, I’d have made one for you too.”

Ryan inhales. “I’ll live.”

*****

“What else have we then?”

Michael delves into the heap of gifts, this time extracting another small neat package. He glances at the tag then offers it to Mitch.

She, in turn, looks at the label then turns eyes on Larry.

His voice neutral, “I hope you like it.”

Larry, they’re beautiful. Thank you.” She takes out some small object then

comb, made

Platinum?

one side, pinning back long red tresses;

close. “They’re very unusual. Where did you find them,

them made. I knew what I wanted but couldn’t find it. So, I

he’s

*****

ahead of me at his workspace, be-aproned, sleeves rolled up on the Christmas sweater, trimming

wraps bacon around sausages.

help?”

looks up, smiling. “Absolutely you can help. You can peel the chestnuts

the contents of a bowl close by, already containing onions, breadcrumbs and judging by the smell, garlic. “Isn’t

thought we would have more than one kind. This is going to be sage and onion. Those are for the chestnut and cranberry.”

tie the bow on my apron, “I

worktop. Archie wags his tail and gives an ingratiating grin, displaying more

his services around the time

beady eyes on me then shuffles his position a little to sit

I’ll get him out if

stayed with us before. He knows how to stay out of the way and still get

appears, takes a step inside the kitchen, takes

“Grab yourself a peeler. You can help too. Parsnips, potatoes, sprouts. Take your pick. We want plenty

emanates from deep inside Michael. “I

James’ face is blandly

clearing snow from the front

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