FOLLOW YOUR HEART

Chapter 29 - Telling Stories

"Wow," Shawn said, stunned by the sight of Camila in a red velvet fifties-style dress. It had a sweetheart neckline and long sleeves, and she wore some kind of bra that pushed her breasts up so that they curved plumply over the top. The skirt flared out with petticoats beneath and she wore red stiletto heels. Her hair was in a high ponytail, she wore her favourite hoops and red lips. She looked classy, cute, pretty and so damn sexy.

He hoped he hadn't let her down, in slate blue loose trousers and a white shirt open over a white tank top. He wanted to look good for her, like she had for him.

"Wow for you too," she said, devouring him with twinkling eyes. "I love your hair long, it looks so good now."

"Now it's got past the crazy curl stage?"

"It did get pretty crazy, but I still loved it, and it was worth it for this."

"OK, enough of the mutual admiration party, let's go downstairs."

They were the hosts, so they were first there, after Tally and Pam of course.

"Oooh, look at you two hot tamales!" Pam enthused, one hand on her hip, the other gesturing to the two of them. Tally joined her, with a wolf whistle, a really bad one, making them all laugh. He was carrying a bowl of eggnog and they followed him into the drawing room where another bowl, of warm spiced wine, also sat waiting. No sooner had he put the bowl down than the door rang.

"I'll get it," Shawn offered, and Camila trotted over to him and grabbed his hand.

"We will," she said, smiling up at him through long lashes. How could he deny her anything?

He opened the big door and found it was all three of their guests together. They made a good looking family and obviously all related as they greeted he and Camila with identical smiles. It looked like the meeting had been a success.

"Come in!" Shawn said, shaking hands with Sam and Angus as they entered, and giving George a hug.

"Looks like things went well," he whispered so only George could hear, as his father and brother had moved into the entry and were being greeted by Camila.

"It's early days, but so far so good," he smiled. Shawn felt so happy for him. He had been alone in the world with his mother all but lost to Alzheimers, apart from Jake of course, and now he had family and Shawn suddenly realised what an enormous gift this had been to him. He squeezed him tightly then let go. George smiled a wobbly smile in gratitude which widened considerably when Camila launched herself at him, a red velvet tornado, leaving a big red kiss mark on his cheek.

They all took either eggnog or wine or, like Camila did, first one and then the other. He watched her drinking, he didn't want her to be too inebriated at the end of the evening, he had special plans.

"Time for dinner!" Tally announced in the doorway and led them to the dining room. They all walked in chatting, which turned into cries of delight and amazement when they saw the beautifully decorated and set table, covered in dishes, the turkey taking pride of place. The evening was a great success as they all took turns telling stories and enjoying food and drink. Shawn stood up and raised his champagne glass.

"To Garry, beloved friend, mentor, employer, and grandfather, thank you for bringing us all together," he looked at Camila and she smiled widely at him. He noticed Tally and Pam take each other's hands, and Angus squeezed George's shoulder. "We would not be here without you, old man. Cheers!"

Tally spoke up first. "My first Christmas with Garry, I was about twenty years old, he would have been about thirty five, he was living a fast life, working hard in his business, partying hard with his friends and hangers on most weekends here at the Hall, some of them names and faces you know from the entertainment and music industries, even royalty. But Christmas was sacred to him, always a big tree, always a traditional dinner. The thing was, since his father had passed away, there was nobody to join him. He asked me to sit in here with him, so it was just me and him, and the cook had roasted a whole huge turkey and all the trimmings. I thought it was extravagant and wasteful and I hid my disapproval, although I suspect he knew exactly what I was thinking. We ate our Christmas lunch pretty quickly and in silence, he drank one glass of wine only, a miracle in those days, and then when we were finished he went and got his coat.