The Christmas Elf, A Secret-Santa Story

Chapter 25 - Storm warning in effect

Friday 23 December

'Another day gone without a moment alone together...' read the first text she saw when she woke up. She smiled sleepily and propped herself up on the pillows. It was still early but something in the air had woken her.

'Anticipation makes most things better?' she responded.

'I think I've been waiting for you all my life, Eileen...I think that's enough anticipation...' and a smiling embrace emoji.

"Same here, Michael, same here," she murmured smiling.

She got up and pattered downstairs, trying to decide what had woken her up. The silence was complete, so it wasn't a sound that had done it. She wondered if he was always up this early as she put the percolator on and switched the radio on at low volume.

'Our MET office has confirmed that the storm has changed direction and will be making its way down towards Concord and there is a ninety percent chance that it will be directly hit. We are advising everyone to ensure that they have all their emergency supplies and to avoid going outdoors unless absolutely necessary...

All schools have been officially closed...'

Eileen stared at the radio in shock. "I must have been out of it to not realize that a storm was even headed in this general direction," she muttered.

She picked up her phone again.

'Do you know about the storm?' she texted Michael.

'Storm?'

'Turn on your radio...'

She dialed Claudia next, "Hey morning...did you know that schools are closed today?"

"Yeah, I got the email blast. Problem is that one of the things I haven't done is put in any emergency supplies."

"Claudia," Eileen said hesitantly, aware that her suggestion could be interpreted as an indictment on the other woman's ability to manage. "I have another guest room and we would totally love to have you both ride this storm out here. Please don't take it as me not thinking you can manage on your own."

"It would be foolish of me to risk my kid's well-being for something as stupid as pride or the desire to be in my own bed," Claudia's voice was eminently practical. "We don't know what a storm in this area can be like, so I don't mind playing it safe. Let me get a few things packed and I'll be right over. Then you and I can go grab whatever else we need?"

"Okay, sure," Eileen was wide awake now. "I'll let mom and dad know the plan. They're still asleep."

"So's Ella, I'm going to be bundling her over in pj's. She'll probably think it's fun. See you soon."

The phone rang as soon as she hung up.

"Good morning," she greeted.

"Good morning hon, how are you fixed for emergency supplies? Do you need help with anything?"

"I think I'm mostly covered. Three days of wood for the fireplace stacked on the back porch, in the event of power failure. Lots of tinned goods and bottled water. Flashlights, candles and a small gas stove ready to use to heat water, again only if the power goes out. I may pop out for more batteries though and anything else Claudia thinks she needs."

He whistled appreciatively. "Very girl scout of you."

"What about you?" she asked.

"May need to bring in more wood and stock up on the tinned goods - there are more of us now. But then, I have an entire kitchen downstairs I can raid if it comes to it."