Under the Arches

weekend and they had not seen him at all, but the weather had been clear, allowing them to relax and spend much of their time down at the playground or in town. They had tried to steer clear of the Harlequin Centre, which had reached such a fevered level of chaos that it was virtually impossible to get in any of the shops. In fact there was such a high volume of shoppers in town that when they finally closed their doors on Christmas Eve and everybody jumped in their cars to go home to their families, the ring road instantly became gridlocked. It was something that happened every year during the run-up to Christmas, but for it to happen the evening before the big day was unprecedented.

  Angelina and Amy were happily removed from all the anger and stress that ensued as they picked their way between the stationary vehicles, laughing and joking as they went. That evening, Amy left at seven to go and spend time with her foster parents, leaving Angelina and her mum to enjoy a cosy evening in front of the TV. They had decked out the flat in streamers, cards and sprigs of fresh holly, while the centrepiece was a fresh Christmas tree, whose branches were overflowing with baubles, tinsel and chocolates. Not for the first time, Angelina drifted off to sleep in front of the TV and was gently put to bed by her mother.

  Christmas Day dawned, and against all odds there was a thin layer of snow covering the world when Angelina looked out of her bedroom window. It wasn’t enough for snowmen, or even a decent snowball fight, but there was definitely snow and it was Christmas morning. That was sufficient. She stared out at the thin white blanket covering everything and pondered on how different it made the world look. It was barely light, but already there were children out playing and there were lights on in most of the houses nearby. All around the country, presents were being torn open and Angelina decided that it would be a shame to be left out and turned her attention to the bulging stocking at the end of her bed.

  Her mum had obviously decided to go for broke with just a week left to spend all her money and Angelina found a wide selection of clothing and accessories in it, as well as CDs, chocolates and make-up. She smiled at the thought that she would never possibly be able to use it all before the New Year, and she slipped on her dressing gown and went into the lounge.

  ‘Merry Christmas darling,’ said her mother, walking over from the kitchen and giving her a big hug and a kiss.

  ‘You too mummy,’ she replied, kissing her back.

  ‘Have you seen the snow outside?’

  ‘Yes, isn’t it amazing? I’ve never had a white Christmas before.’

  ‘I can’t remember the last time it happened. Perhaps all this talk about climate change is nonsense. Look, I’ve done us scrambled eggs on toast for breakfast. I hope you still like them as much as you used to.’

  ‘Of course I do, that’s perfect!’

  They ate breakfast together and Angelina gave her mum the presents she had bought for her. There was another surprise awaiting Angelina, for when her mum had finished opening her own presents, she went over to the tree and fetched another and gave it to her daughter.

  ‘This is your proper present,’ she said. ‘I hope you like it.’

  Angelina tore open the wrapping paper.

  ‘Oh my god, an iPod!’ she exclaimed. ‘Mum you shouldn’t have.’

  ‘Yes I should. You have had to cope with so much recently and I really admire how you’ve dealt with it all. You deserve it.’

  Angelina smiled. ‘Thanks Mum.’

  ‘Well you’ve only got a week to enjoy it, but I hear Zeus has a huge collection for music for you to put on it. Speaking of whom, we’ve got to be at church in half an hour.’

  At five to ten they left the flat and walked down the road to St Matthew’s church. Zeus was waiting for them beneath the vast canopy of the tree that stood proudly on the front lawn.

  ‘Merry Christmas,’ he called out as the approached.

  ‘Happy birthday!’ called Angelina back to him.

  He looked slightly embarrassed.

  ‘Thank you very much,’ he said. ‘I’m not really used to thinking of it as my birthday.’

  He was wearing, as usual, his black and pink bobble hat, but instead of the thick oversized hoodie, he had on a woolly jumper with reindeer running around the body. He looked quite comical.

  ‘Nice jumper,’ said Angelina smiling.

  ‘It’s hideous isn’t it?’ grinned Zeus. ‘It came from Father Christmas. Quite literally. I couldn’t not wear it.’

  ‘Did you get anything else?’

  Zeus rolled up his trouser legs and sticking out of the top of his walking boots were thick socks in a matching colour with robins on the side.

  ‘I’m all kitted out for the weather,’ he said, putting out the cigarette he was smoking on the palm of his hand. ‘Time to go in now.’

  They passed through the pairs of thick wooden doors into the church. It was hard to believe but having lived so near it for so long, Angelina had never actually made it inside before, so it was hard for her to admire the beautiful red brickwork without a slight pang of guilt.

  ‘Don’t worry about it,’ whispered Zeus in her ear.

  ‘Hey! No reading my thoughts in church,’ she replied with a mock scowl.

  ‘Sorry,’ smiled Zeus.

  The service started with a family oriented section that continued into Holy Communion later on. There were all the usual carols, as well as a reading from the Gospel of Luke and a short talk from the minister. Angelina found it all hugely enjoyable, not to mention slightly ironic, especially when the time for communion came and the minister started breaking bread.

  ‘Shouldn’t that be you up there?’ she whispered.

  Zeus did not reply. She looked up at him and was surprised to see a single tear rolling down his cheek. She took his hand and gave it a squeeze. He looked at her and smiled.

  ‘Old memories,’ he said quietly, as he wiped the tear away. ‘Anyway, they’ve misquoted most of what I said. I was half-pissed at the time and it wasn’t nearly so formal.’

  Angelina stifled a giggle. ‘So are you going up to receive it?’ she asked.

  ‘No, I reckon they’d count that as cannibalism,’ he smiled.

  The service finished and they thanked the minister and went back out into the brisk morning air. Families were drifting slowly off to their cars, the children reluctant to stop playing in the snow. Zeus, Angelina and her mother walked slowly down the street, laughing and joking together until they came in sight of the roundabout.

  ‘Bloody hell!’ exclaimed Angelina as Zeus’ house came into view. She put her hand over her mouth. ‘Sorry. I mean, you’ve really gone to town on the decorations.’

  ‘Tastefully, I hope,’ said Zeus. ‘I think I managed to get the whole nativity scene going.’

  ‘You’ve even got a stable roof!’ said Angelina’s mum.

  ‘Yes, it’s a bit like an extended porch. The guys in my woodwork class helped me with that. Oh, and the manger too.’

  They crossed on to the roundabout and stood amidst the numerous figures collected there. A thick layer of straw covered the ground, which itself had a dusting of snow on top. A string of clear lights ran along the eaves of the stable roof, giving the scene a warm and welcoming feel.

  ‘Oh you didn’t…’ laughed Angelina taking a closer look at one of the figures. It was a blow up sex doll masquerading as one of the shepherds. An inflatable bonking sheep stood on the ground next to it.

  ‘Oh yes I did,’ grinned Zeus. ‘The boy in B&Q had a point, you know.’

  ‘What, the three wise men too?’ Angelina went over to them and sure enough, they were inflatable dolls as well. ‘Surely not…’ she walked over to the manger where Mary and Joseph were standing. ‘Them too?’

  Zeus was in stitches.

  ‘You should see your face,’ he said.

  ‘I’m not surprised,’ said Angelina trying desperately to prevent herself from descending into hysterics. ‘Why would Mary be standing there with her mouth wide open like that?’

  ‘Perhaps… perh
aps she’s starting the first verse of ‘O little town of Bethlehem’.’ Zeus had completely lost it now and was rolling around in the straw with laughter.

  Seeing him in such mirth pushed Angelina over the edge too and she collapsed into a fit of giggles, while her mother stood around with a slightly bemused look upon her face.

  ‘Come… come inside,’ said Zeus scrambling to his feet and beckoning them towards his front door.

  Judas came bounding over and leapt up at Angelina as she entered and started trying to lick her face. There was a lovely smell of roasting vegetables in the air that made her stomach rumble.

  ‘My word,’ said Angelina’s mum gazing up at the huge tree in the corner that stretched beyond the upper floor towards the vaulted ceiling. The whole room had been beautifully decked out with blue and silver decorations, and a serene winter wilderness was being projected onto the main wall.

  ‘Amazing, isn’t it?’ said Angelina.

  ‘I… I’d never have guessed that this was here,’ replied her mother, still staring round the room with her mouth open.

  Zeus came over and took their coats from them.

  ‘Food’s looking OK,’ he said. ‘What do you think of the tree?’

  ‘It’s lovely,’ said Angelina.

  ‘It took me ages to find one that tall that didn’t take up the entire room.’

  ‘It’s beautiful. Is there anything we can help you with?’

  ‘I haven’t gotten round to setting the table yet. You could do that for me perhaps?’

  ‘You don’t mind if I use your bathroom first?’ asked