Paisley King - A Tale by Elspeth Ellington

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas - November 25, 2018

November 25, 2018

Stepping into her favourite café from the crisp cold winter morning, Paisley paused for a moment to let the bell on the door of La Boehme stop jingling, took off her sunglasses and leather gloves, and took a deep inhale of gingerbread, cinnamon, cloves, and all of the other scents of Christmas baking that filled the café on this beautiful Monday morning. She wiped her snowy boots on the carpet at the door then got in line to wait for her turn to order. Christmas music was playing and vintage décor and lights covered every available surface except for the tables and chairs making her feel like she had walked into the set of a Hallmark Christmas movie.

The line moved quickly and Paisley dropped some coins in the tip jar while the barista made her latte to go. With just a month until Christmas she was busy with client meetings and no time to spare. As much as she would love to spend an hour people-watching or reading a magazine, enjoying the festive atmosphere in the café, this was always the most frantic time of year for her and she knew that hour would turn into three hours of conversations and chats with the townsfolk who would be like a line of ants all day long popping in for their fix. Life in a small town meant never having to wait long for someone to start a conversation no matter where one went or what they were doing. As a life and business coach, and counsellor, she is the person many people count on to help them get through the holidays and ready for the new year. Not to mention being her uncle's right hand and party planner, making December the busiest time of year.

"There you go Miss King", Sophie, the barista said and she snapped a lid on the cup and handed it to her. Paisley gave her a curious look "Miss King? Jeez Sophie, what's that about?".

Sophie lowered her voice and whispered, "Mr. Neely insists, it's his new idea for the holidays, he says it makes the customers feel special like they're in a Victorian Christmas village".

"Good grief, it's as though he doesn't realize we're already in a Victorian village" Paisley snorted as she halfway rolled her eyes at the girl she had known since kindergarten, "Try to have a good day". "Thank you Miss King, and if you need anything else today just call and we will have it ready and waiting for you. I know you must be rushed off your feet with work and your uncle's party".

"Thank you Sophie, that's awfully kind of you, I will, and I hope we'll see you at the party, bring a friend if you like, there will be plenty for everyone, as always", she winked over her shoulder at Sophie as she went through the door the famous Mr. Neely was holding for her.

"Thank you Jordan, it is always nice to come across a gentleman" she smirked to herself knowing he would be beside himself at being addressed by his first name in front of his staff. She babysat him when she was a teenager and now here he was, ready to modernize the town, or take it back 100 years.

At the sound of the cafe door jingling her departure, she stepped out onto the sidewalk and took in the sights and sounds of the village. Portcullis always looked like a postcard, something out of a Dickens novel, and never as much as at Christmas. The dusting of snow overnight was the finishing touch on the perfect Christmas scene playing out in front of her. The pine and cedar garland strung across the streets entwined with twinkly lights, seasonal music from the local radio station playing on the speakers attached to the light posts, songs reminding her to watch out and not cry. That's right she thought, stiff upper lip, especially at Christmas. Somewhere, someone had a wood fire going and the scent felt like a warm hug. She always did love coming home to a fire in the hearth.

She passed Santa's little barn where he would sit all day and chat with shoppers and townsfolk as they went about their business. Everyone got a candy cane and a chance to tell him they have been naughty, or nice, all year. He was quite a selling point and a lot of tourists came for the photo op, and the off chance he might be the Real Santa.