A Work of Fiction

Chapter Five

Updated and Edited 16/06/12.

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Chapter Five

School had finished in a flurry of Christmas cheer, with the teachers and students clearly looking forward to two weeks away from their academic routine. The first few days of the holidays passed by with nothing much happening. The decorations were up weeks ago, cards were sent out and received from family members we wouldn't be seeing this year and the house was busier than ever, with people coming and going like nobody’s business.

Callie and Natalie had already left to visit out of town relatives and Julie was over at my house often, as was I at hers. There was the usual talk of the Christoph's Christmas Eve party amongst the adults, who were looking forward to it. On previous years, I would have been more excited, but both Julie and I agreed, that without Callie to entertain us whilst she latched on to the nearest 'hot' cousin of some neighbour of ours, or without Natalie to provide her usual quirky and random daydreams into the mix, it wouldn't be much to look forward to.

Christmas Eve arrived quicker than expected and it wasn't long until I was ushered into the Christoph's house, which was immaculately decorated and was already filled with people, busily chatting away to friends.

“Viola! Don't you look lovely,” Mrs. Christoph said, as she hugged me gently. She nodded her head approvingly, as she took in my outfit. I always liked her. She was kind and fun to talk to and she always used to give me extra cookies when I was little. I was pretty sure she did the same with Toby, who was looking up at her as though she was hiding some behind her back.

“Thank you, Mrs. Christoph,” I replied shyly, blushing a little at her compliment. She just smiled in return. She always knew that I was a little shy at the best of times and never tried to force me into the limelight. In a way, she was like a caring aunt, who, just like my parents, appreciated who I was, just the way I was.

“Merry Christmas, Mr. Christoph,” I said to tall, suited man who was standing before me. Just like his wife, he was kind and was usually found smiling. I wasn't disappointed.

“Merry Christmas, Viola. It's been a while since we last saw you. I suppose you've been busy with school?” I just smiled and nodded. I had been busy with school, although perhaps, not in the way he meant. I was busy trying to figure out who the mystery book person was. However, I was a little stumped. I didn't even know where to start!

The night continued as was expected. The adults talked about business and other adult things, although occasionally, I was drawn into conversation by Mrs. Christoph, who asked how school was going and how I liked working at Jinx café, and so on. The little kids were either running around behind their parents back or were hiding under tables and whispering secrets and jokes to one another. I smiled when I spied Toby under a table whispering and giggling with Daniel, Trey's little brother. Had that been me when I was younger, I would probably be reading a book. Or two.

I had managed to catch up with Julie now and again, but we were always interrupted, when we were joined by some guys our age. I hung around for a while, trying to be polite, but then I would duck out, making my escape to the other side of the room. This didn't always work however, as one of the guys, whose name I didn't even remember, kept popping up, as though appearing from thin air.

'He must be related to Joe Winchester', I thought derisively.

I thought with Joe going out of town for the holidays, I would get at least two weeks off from being stalked. Apparently, I was mistaken. Sometimes, I would catch my Dad's eye and he would come to my rescue. He knew I didn't always feel comfortable around guys, and as I was his only daughter, he was more than willing to ward off any potential problems from members of the opposite sex.