A small town christmas is very cliche when you read it in books or watch it in a movie. You think "yeah because it's really like that", but it is. In my case at least.
Holmes Chapel, Cheshire
December
The busiest month of the year for my mum and I. Our small shop placed right in the center of town is a people favorite through the month of December and if you look in the things to do in Holmes Chapel, visiting our Christmas decor and baked goods is number 4 on the list. its a small list not much to do here, but its still something. in fact my small town go so out for christmas time people from all over England come and visit for the Holidays renting out flats to just enjoy a little christmas spirit.
"morning darling" my mum said opening up the shop door as snowflakes fall around us and twinkling christmas lights spread all around the building and trees around us.
"christ mum could you unlock the door already. we will catch our death out here. bloody cold this winter" i said shivering putting my already gloved hands in my pocket trying to regain some feeling back in them, and finally she pushed the old door open as we hurried inside letting out a small sigh of the warmth hitting our cold noses.
"ill turn the fire pit on today, quite a chilly morning" my mum spoke as i flipped the lights on and all the decorated christmas trees lit up around the shop and other decorations coming to life bringing a warm glowing smile to my face.
"what did you expect mum? sunshine and 80 degrees?" i giggled at her huddling close to the now lit fire as she shooed me away from her, "off you go you menace, always disrupting my holiday cheer. ought to take you away you grinch" she scolded me slipping her apron around her waist that said, Merry Christmas you filthy animal .
"me the grinch? give it a rest!" i shouted over the now turned on christmas movie filling through the happy store. we went through the morning routine of polishing and baking new cookies while mum decorated them as i attended to the front counter. i swear from open to close its a mad house. especially since we offer christmas wrapping, my fingers about fall off by the end of each day. and i always swear ill never wrap another present again, until the next day.
"morning Mr Locks" i smiled as the old man approached the counter holding a set of 4 red ornaments, "red this year she says. crazy lady changes up our tree colors every bloody year. then she makes my old self come out in this cold weather and get these" he speaks shaking the box up in the air and handing them to me. i laughed at him wiping my hands off on my apron and pulling my red long sleeve up my arms a tad.
"Still the cats names?" i asked grabbing the utensils to write onto the ornaments as he rolled his eyes and nodded, "yes of course. do i have a ornament with my name after 43 years? no but these damn cats have tons!" he says leaning against the counter as i throw my head back in laughter. for as long as i can remember mr and mrs locks have been coming here getting personalized ornaments ever since my mum opened up this shop.
"give me 10 minutes and i'll have them done. coffee?" i asked and he nodded, "3 cream 2 sugar?" i asked again and he smiled, "and they wonder why youre the towns favorite" he winked as i shrugged, "what can i say" i giggled pouring his coffee and making it his way.
"mums in the back baking. go on and bug her while i make these for ya" i smile as he laughed and headed to the back.
"BOO!" he yelled as she screeched smacking him away, "Oi! you old man, always giving me a bloody heart attack!" is all i heard before the bakery door shut. i laughed to myself shaking my head and getting to work on his ornaments.
a few times i had to stop and go help another customer but within 15 minutes the ornaments with the cats names and the year with small paw prints were finished and drying. i walked into the back to see mr locks sitting in the chair talking to my mum, "mr locks the ornaments are done" i said as he looked my way standing up and patting my mum on the shoulder saying goodbye. he followed me out to the counter and looked at them.
