An Unexpected Host
A story based on true events during Christmas 2021
Over the Christmas period, my husband, Mark, and I stayed with our daughter, Zoe, and her partner, Jack, in their Victorian terraced cottage in the UK. My Aunt Carrie used to live here and when she died, having not married and with no children of her own, she kindly left the cottage to us. Mark and I decided to keep it as a stepping stone for our children to live in, on their way into the world of responsibility.
During the nothing period between Christmas and New Year, our son, Hendrick, and his husband, Charlie, had descended on us for a couple of days. It was a lovely chance to spend some rare time with family. But all was not as it seemed …
’Twas a grey and drizzly day, we had all wrapped up warm and braved the cold winds that blew through the nearby park. Venturing down narrow paths through wooded areas in search of shelter, we took it in turns to tell stories from our all-time favourite Christmases past.
On the other side of the park, we stopped off at a mobile coffee van where we bought hot chocolates, and like small campfires in our hands, we warmed ourselves on the paper cups.
The decision was made that the cold gusty weather had beaten us and rather than carry on as planned, we began the return journey to Zoe and Jack’s small, cosy cottage. The strength of the wind had increased since we left and at every corner, it threatened to blow us off balance. None of us were saying much by now, we had run out of bravery and really just wanted to be indoors by a roaring fire.
The journey back seemed longer than normal and when we finally arrived, the weather had turned wetter, windier, and very unpleasant. The sleet was beating against our faces as we squeezed through the door, the warmth of the hallway providing a welcoming greeting. We stamped our feet into woollen slippers and sought out the fading heat of the glowing embers left in the lounge fireplace.
Zoe took the poker and stoked the fire which jumped into life as she lay another few sticks of kindling into the heat and a small log precariously placed on top. Much rubbing of hands and clattering teeth took place and then the search for an extra layer was on. The blanket on the settee was soon in use as Charlie, Hendrick and Jack good humouredly fought over it and finally settled to squeeze together and share. They decided that the few chocolates left in the bowl were theirs too.
“Anyone hungry? We could have an early dinner.” Still standing by the fire, I weighed up whether to claim my turn in the reclining armchair, but I knew that once I sat down, I wouldn’t get back up again. The Christmassy excitement from the previous days was catching up with me, and sleep seemed to beckon me closer.
“I could eat something,” Jack said and the rest mumbled in agreement through chocolate-filled mouths.
Making my way to the kitchen I wondered how to make a meal for six out of what we had in the cupboards. It was two days after Christmas day, and we were almost out of leftovers. On my way, I noticed just how cold it was in the dining room. Zoe had mentioned how they struggle to heat up the corner by the kitchen door, and this afternoon it felt specifically cold. It was freezing outside, the sleet had turned to snow, and this Victorian cottage had all the special draughty features usual for architecture of the period.
Opening and closing the fridge and cupboard doors, I mentally concocted a feast fit for even the British monarchs. I stood facing the open cupboard searching for the cheese crackers I knew were there somewhere when I felt someone coming up behind me.
“Do you need any help?” Zoe sounded tired as she put her ice-cold hand on my arm. She didn’t like wearing gloves and I never could figure out why.
“Oh, my love, your hands are freezing. It’s ok, it won’t take long.” I answered. I carried on lining up the various bits of food I could find: it was turning into a spread to be proud of, as my aunt would have said.
“Sorry darling, I didn’t hear you. Just here to lend a hand.” Mark walked into the kitchen rubbing his hands together in a gesture of readiness. I turned and smiled at him. He could still make my heart jump with love, even after all these years together.
“Oh, Zoe was here, just, offering her help too. Well, as you are here, could you …” I stopped and tried to focus on what I had seen out of the corner of my eye. It must be Zoe shaking out a cloth in preparation for laying the table. There were no lights in the dining room, so it all looked a little vague.
“Turn the light on, Zoe, surely you can’t see what you are doing in there. I didn’t think the tablecloth was clean.”
Mark turned around slowly to investigate the dining room; the colour of his face had changed: the apple pink from the biting wind was now drained to a pale cream. As he turned back to face me, he looked perturbed.
“Did you see that too?” His words were almost a whisper.
“Yeah, it was Zoe … wasn’t it?” I responded.
“It can’t be, Zoe went to have a bath when you came into the kitchen.” Mark reached out to me with a meaningful look. I felt lightheaded as my heart began thumping in my chest.
“But she was here just now, talking to me. Her hand was really cold on my … and she shook out the tablecloth in the …”
I felt a shiver run through my insides as I realised: we had an unexpected host.
“Aunt Carrie? …” I said looking at Mark for an answer.
Not knowing what else to do, I held on to Mark for support.
“We can’t tell Zoe and Jack about this, at least not while they are still living here.” Mark took my hands in his. His warmth helped me to focus my thoughts.
“Ok, agreed.” I said, “Let’s get the food organised though, and turn up the heating.”
That night I lay awake remembering the childhood days of visiting Aunt Carrie here in her cottage. The fun we had had in her garden, the baking at Christmas and the heavy blankets on her beds. Aunt Carrie was a kind and generous person, and I was quite happy that she was still here looking out for Zoe and Jack as they created their first home together.
After reading The Condo Ghost by Natalie Fagan, I decided to share with you this Christmas story based on real events from my own festive season with family.
