Talia's Tradition

2. Jingle Bell Rock

❆ Jingle Bell Rock ❆

The weeks had rushed by and I soon found myself turning over the calendar page so that it showed December. It was as if someone had flicked a switch on the weather machine, the air had become considerably colder signalling that winter had well and truly arrived.

I had spent the majority of yesterday evening packing my bags with the help of Gabby.

"I really wish you were coming with us," I said as I folded another thick, woolly jumper into my traveling bag.

"I love your family and all that but your mother can be extremely crazy at times." Gabby shouted from down the hall.

"You're just as crazy as her though, if anything you influence her." I shouted back, ceasing my packing to join her in the living room.

"I do not!" She said giving me a teasing smile.

"You look very cosy," I said taking in her appearance. Her auburn hair was tied back in a French plait and she was wearing her special Christmas pyjamas that were scattered with tiny cartoon reindeers. With her legs propped up on the coffee table in front of the sofa, she took frequent sips from her wine glass.

"Thanks for helping me pack," I said sarcastically.

With the side of her face illuminated by the flashing images on the TV, she jerked her head in the direction of the kitchen.

"I poured you a glass of wine. You should be thankful I could have gone ahead and drank it all on my own!" She teased, taking another big sip from her glass. I wouldn't have put it past her to finish the bottle.

I sauntered towards the kitchen and retrieved my glass before sitting beside Gabby on the sofa.

"What are you watching?"

"Some wannabe singers trying to impress everyone," She said and I groaned. Not again!

"Oh please put a film on I can't stand watching that tosh!"

She put her glass of wine down on the table and held her hands up in defence.

"Okay, okay Love Actually it is." I beamed at her and she rolled her eyes.

"I really do wish you were coming with us tomorrow," I said as we waited for the film to begin.

"I do too but my brother is coming home for Christmas this year so mum wants us all there." I nodded my head showing her I understood. The truth was I'd miss her.

"I'm only a phone call away if you need me though," She gave me a reassuring smile before adding; "I know a Christmas with the Thorne-Hallowell family can be pretty eventful."

I scrunched up my face, "God, don't remind me! Do you remember the time when Holly was four and tried to climb up the chimney in an attempt to find Santa?"

Gabby covered her face with her hands to muffle her laughter.

"Or the time when Marina burnt half her eyebrow off as she tried to light the Christmas pudding? Your mum is hilarious!"

"Well it didn't help the fact that you had been slipping drops of whiskey into her drinks,"

"She's a fun drunk," Gabby raised her glass of wine, "To the Christmas season!"