Serenas mother-in-law materialised on her doorstep without a word of warning, just as the last slanting rays of a frosted evening bled violet and pink into the London skyline. It was New Years Eve, and Serena was dressing her living room in threads of golden tinsel and baubles shaped like tiny pomegranates, imagining a scene so perfect it would almost glow.
Oh, Mum, how can you? sighed Gregory, staring at his mothers abrupt arrival, arms laden with great bulging bags from the supermarket as if summoned from a Dickensian dream. We agreedtonight you were seeing in the New Year with Aunt Valerie in Brighton.
Rubbish, dear, Helena declared, sweeping herself across the threshold in a flurry of scarves. Who wants to listen to poor Val grumble about her bunions for hours? I want a proper celebration with my only son. Besides, she thinks a wild night is a cup of chamomile and the Antiques Roadshow.
Serena paused at the kitchen door, a paper crown perched askew on her hair, nervously smoothing out her velvet tablecloth. A New Years storm in the shape of a mother-in-law materialising with an hour to spareno, that was most certainly not invited.
But Helena, we did agree that Serena began helplessly.
Whats all this, then? mused Helena, already striding into the lounge. Blue baubles on the tree? Blue! Serena, love, thats cold luck. You should always hang red for fortune and warmth, everyone knows that. Here, let me show you.
Mum, not the superstitions again. Gregorys voice sounded hollow. Honestly, we decided”
And paper napkins! Helena plucked one with talon fingers and sneered. At my house I have Irish linen. Fetch them, Ill just pop back
You will do no such thing! Serenas voice trembled just a little, but she was resolved. Our guests will be here in an hour.
Guests? Helenas face crinkled in shocked astonishment, as if she spied a badger at the breakfast table. New Years Eve is for family, not for outsiders. Ill phone everyone and set them straight
She began rummaging for her relic of a flip phone, but Gregory intercepted musically, No, Mum! None of that. Pleaseits all prepared, the tables groaning, were just waiting on the clock.
Exactly! Helenas eyes lit. Lets see then, what are you feeding them all?
She barrelled for the kitchen. Serena grabbed Gregory with a panicked look. Do something!
He nodded and whipped out his phone. Ill ring a minicab. At that moment Helena shrieked from the kitchen, Whats thispotato salad? Why are the carrots cubed? They should be batons! And is this Hellmanns? Serena, dear, I taught you to whisk your own mayonnaise. Thats no way to start the year!
Serena closed her eyes, counting faux-calmly to ten, the image of her first New Year in their Barons Court flat splintering like a dropped champagne flute. She had imagined tastefully elegant decorations, a delicious feast, the cheerful hum of jazz, perhaps a clever toast. Instead: chaos.
Thats that! Helena announced, fastening one of Serenas aprons round her waist, oddly regal. Lets fix this salad. Gregory! Nip to the Sainsburys for proper carrots and free-range eggs.
Hes not running anywhere, Serena interposed, still between her and the salad. Were not remaking anything. In forty minutes, friends will ring the bell.
Friends? Oh, mad notion, starting the year with strangers. Take my friend Berylher children left her alone and now she weeps into her sherry every Christmas. Youll remember it if you end up like that! Helena tried to dial on her flip phone again, but Gregorys look stopped her short.
He whispered, Lets get the cab, Serena. Now.
Helena was undeterred. Look! I brought sausage rollsGreg, your favourite. And a nice beef jellywhats New Year without a traditional English brawn? And look, hand-knitted mittens. You twohopeless with the heating.
She began unloading endless Tupperwares, the small fridge already jammed with Serenas inventions. Where would it all go?
Helena, thats really kind, but”
The doorbell startled everyone. Helena snatched up her bags reflexively.
Who on earth? her voice twitched between offence and suspicion. Still an hour until midnight.
That’ll be Damien and Maryearly to help set up the playlist! Gregory brightened, They said theyd come sooner.
Playlist? Dont tell me youve bought one of those infernal karaoke machines? All that noisemy head, Serena, my head.
Serena, wordless, went to open the door. Damien and Mary waltzed in with champagne and a bag of odd-shaped presents.
Happy New Yearalmost! Mary beamed, surveying the scene. Ooh, um company already?
My mother, Gregory replied, glumly. Shes on her way elsewhere.
I should say not! Helenas voice rang from the kitchen. I have come to spend the evening with my son. Sorry, young people, but tonight is strictly family.
Mary glanced at Serena, uncertain. If we should, you know, clear off?
Dont be absurd. Shoes off and inside, quickly. Serena hissed.
Helenas voice flared up. Serena, wheres the salt? This brawn needs rescuingthe taste!”
Please dont touch the brawn, Serena hurried to the kitchen, desperate.
No one appreciates effort these days, Helena muttered, eyes glistening. A mothers love is an imposition, thats what I amobstacle to the modern party.
The atmosphere pressed down like thick snow outside. Helena packed her Tupperwares in exaggerated silence. Serena wavered at the crack in Gregorys gaze, about to relent, but Helenas next words jabbed, Remember, mark my wordsstart the year among strangers, youll find grief before long. Like that Beryls daughter. Well, never mind.
Serena grabbed her phone. Ill order the cab.
No need for taxis, Mary interrupted suddenly. Damien and I can drive youon the way to get some, ah, fruit.
Would you? Oh, thanks, Gregory exhaled. Helena pursed her lips, but did not protest, and within moments she was out, trailing her huge bags, through a hush of falling snow.
Outside, Helena hesitated one final time. Gregory, perhaps”
Have a peaceful night, Mum. Happy New Year. Well pop by tomorrow, I promise.
Back in the flat, Serena slumped against the wall. I feel like Cinderellas stepmother, tossing your mum out like that. Midwinter nighthorrible.
Gregory wrapped her up. Youre not the villain. Mums boundaries can be… foggy. Besides, shell have Valerie for company. All will be well.
Not half an hour passed before Damien and Mary returned, a strange pallor about them.
We have a situation, announced Mary. We didnt quite reach your mums house.
What? Serena felt ice crystalising in her stomach. Why?
She refused to go to Aunt Vals. Said, since her only son cast her out, shes off to Victoria Stationspending New Year with the railway staff. Already bought a ticket to Bath.
Gregory flung on his coat. Right. Were going after her.
But your guests! People are on their way. Serena half-reached for his sleeve.
Really, Greg, Mary soothed, well fetch her back
No, said Gregory, firm. Shes my mum. Apologise for me, will you? Serena nodded. Of course.
The station was a maze of anxious faces and an odd hush, as if all the trains had been replaced for the night with strange, creaking carriages, bound for the moons and stars. The faint tang of clementine drifted through the ticket hall.
Where do we even look? Serena whispered in the gleaming chessboard of waiting rooms and platforms.
She said the main lounge. They scoured. Then, finally, spotted the twin Everest-sized Sainsburys bags.
Mum! Gregory called.
Helena, rigid and grand, stared broodily out the window with a cup of cooling tea and a half-demolished sausage roll.
Why are you here? she said without turning. Worried Ill embarrass you? Look at me: a bag lady at the station.
Gregory slumped next to her. Come home, Mum.
Back to Brighton, to listen to Valerie? Or your place, where Im not wanted?
No, Helena, Serena said, voice trembling, Youre not Its justpopping up without warning, its hard.
Must I book a time with my own son? Helena finally turned, eyes wet. I remember, darling, you waiting for midnight so Id finish baking the trifle. Now its all text in advance, Mum.
She wiped her nose with a tissue, as a guard gave them a sideways glance.
I just wanted to make everything nice. The beef jelly, the scones, the paper hats I saved for years. And I thought youd be glad.
We are, really we are Serena began softly.
A shrill announcement cut through the sadness: Last call for the Great Western to Bathplease make your way to the platform.
Helena stood, hoisting her enormous bags. Theres my carriage, then. I wont hold you up.
No, Mum, Gregory insisted, swinging her bags back toward the entrance. Youre coming home. Our home. To ring in the New Year.
And your guests?
Theyll manage. Serena smiled, surprising herself. Besides, whats New Year without your brawn?
A flicker of amusement crossed Helenas face. Are you sure? Or shall I just dash to Vals?
Helena Serena put her arm round her. Forgive meI panicked. Maybe next time, thougha text?
Promise Ill learn, Helena grinned through her tears. Get me one of those, what do you call it, smart-telephones, and Ill be modern as Mary Berry.
Snow danced outside, in lazy swirls around the taxi rank. Helena caught a flake on her palm. Gregory, remember building a snowman on the estate? Wrapped him in your best scarf and the vicars dog stole it.
Oh, I remember, Gregory laughed, tossing the bags in the boot. It turned up, green and soggy, under the holly bush that Easter.
As the world faded under a quilt of snow, Serena watched the two, the pulse of irritation washing awaywasnt this the thing shed wished for? Family, warmth, tradition, mishaps and all.
Helena she started.
Call me Mum, Helena said softly. After tonight? I think you can.
Serena blinked sudden tears. Thank youMum.
On the drive, Helena entertained them with stories from Gregorys childhood: how he strung every glass bauble onto a single Christmas branch, how he demanded a bee-shaped cake and wrote letters to Father Christmas asking for a coat for his mum, how he built an ice slide with milk crates for the neighbourhood kids.
Remember, darling, the time you dismantled the fairy lights? To see how they worked.
I do indeed, Gregory groaned. Spent my pocket money on new ones all January.
It was almost eleven when they pulled up to the flat. Will we have time to move the table? fretted Helena. Its blocking the window and the chi”
Mum, Serena interrupted gently, lets keep it as it is, just tonight. Tomorrow, maybe.
Tomorrow Ill bake the best trifle in Londononly if you get proper cream! Gregory, pop to Waitrose in the morning?
First thing, Mum.
Back upstairs, the flat buzzed with guests tucking into celebration fare. Marina, Mary, Damien, all welcomed Helena with shrieks of relief. Oh, Mrs. Andrews, thank goodness youre safe! We were lost without you!
Were you really? said Helena with delighted surprise. Well, never mind, I brought sausage rolls
Ill fight you for one, declared Damien. Best sausage rolls in West London.
That apron, Serena? Things to heat up, dont you know.
In a strange and gentle way, Serena saw: this was what the real New Year was made ofmotherly fuss, sausage rolls, warmth and conversation and messy, blundering love.
Forty-five minutes to midnight. Helena bustled alongside Serena, this time consulting instead of commandingHow much vinegar to the pickle? Should we slice or dice the beetroot? Gregory set up the karaoketurns out Helena knew every line of Elton John and secretly longed to perform them, a glass of prosecco in hand. The flat bristled with laughter, the clink of flutes, aromas of warming sage and pastry.
Later, Mary pulled Serena aside. You know, your mother-in-lawshes a miracle. Completely herself.
Serena watched as Helena explained how to properly distribute parsley on a potato salad. Yes, she said, and meant it. Perhaps I forgot thats the heart of it. Not napkins or silverware. Just being together.
Outside, snow drifted in lazy, silent flakes, muffling the city. Indoors, there was music, fizz, and Helena demonstrated, with many gestures, how to make a proper wish when the bells struck midnight.
From the heart! she told everyone. If you dont include at least one other persons happiness in your wish, its no wish at all.
And above all, when the clock chimes, dont open your eyes until the last bell, or the magic leaks out. Cross my heart.
Damien grinned. Whys that, then?
Family tradition. Helenas voice was steely. The year Gregory was born? Wished for him on New Years, not a blink until the last stroke, and here he is, ruining my salad to this very day.
Oh, Mum! Gregory laughed, faintly embarrassed.
Serena felt laughter bubbling up even as Helena gleefully pressed another sausage roll on her. Eat! Youll need your strengthwhen I was your age, Id already had our Gregory and was getting ready for a second. Hmmm?
Lets leave that for another party. Serena blushed, rescued by a clatter as someone found a playlist with Rocket Man.
Helena hooted, Ill show you how its done! and, astonishingly, she could sing like a pub nightingale. Everyone, even Serena, joined in the chorus.
Fifteen minutes now. Gregory poured prosecco, Mary passed round clementines. Helena nodded off in an armchair, finally quiet. For a moment, everything stilledno one sure who should toast, who should open what, until Helena snapped awake.
Oi! Thats not how you do it! she barked. Champagne open first, breathe out the bubbles! Glass under the tree for Father Christmas
Now? After midnight? Marina asked, giggling.
Always! How else do you expect your wishes to get delivered?
Laughter rippled round the room, punctuated by the soft boom of fireworks outside. Helena retold the story of Gregory keeping vigil at Christmas, falling asleep on the window ledge, never noticing the slipped-in present.
Mothers charm, Helena winked.
At the first chime of Big Ben on TV, everyone shuffled glasses, fumbled arms, and squeezed shut their eyes for twelve slow clangs.
Serena pressed her lids tight, wishingno, not for anything grand, but for laughter and forgiving, and that shed always, always have a family to sing slightly out of tune with.
After the twelfth stroke, she glanced at Helena, who was dabbing tears away.
Mum, whats wrong?
Oh, nothing, love. Only, I wished for just thisand look at us, eh?
Fireworks tangled above the city, echoing in the courtyard. Out came presentsHelena pressed a neatly folded old tablecloth, white with blue embroidery, into Serenas hands.
My grandmothers. All the girls in our family were conceived on this tablecloth, so they saybest keep it close.
Oh! Serena was mortified and amazed all at once.
Gregory received a battered silver pocket watch: Grandads. He carried it through the Warstopped a bullet, so he claimed.
They toasted family, toasted forgiveness, toasted Helena learning the mysteries of her new smartphone (WhatsApp? Like carrier pigeons, is it?), and at two in the morning, spilled out into the snowy lane to light fireworks.
Neighbours joined with mulled wine and guitars. Soon, even the shyest were attempting the waltz on the snowy playground, Helena shouting, Left foot, then rightyoure stepping on her toes, Damien!
Well, in my day Helena started, but the sky split with a sudden wayward rocket. The party scattered, laughing, skidding, gathering each other up among drifts of laughter.
Nights like thisbest sort, come unscheduled, said Serena, cheeks rosy, as Gregory gathered her in.
Yousaying that? You with the seven-page party plan?
Its only when you stop planning that the best things happen.
Back in the kitchen, Helena and Serena washed up together, shoulders brushing. You know, I really did think Id lost you both, murmured Helena. I sat at the station, and thought: Whats the point, if youre all alone?
Oh, Mum, Serena hugged her. We need youjust advance warning next time?
Scouts honour, love.
The doorbell shrilled, far too early. A round, red-cheeked lady stood there. Helena! Ive been waiting all night! Ive rung every hospitalI was about to call the police!
Valerie! You came to us!
Course I did, huffed Valerie, You missed the whole trifle and all. But Ive brought the brawnand the cabbage pie.
The two women bickered, giggling at their absurdity, and quickly invitations flewplan the January gathering, yes, buy the smartphone, yes, join the family group chat, of course.
Outside, dawn was breaking and the citys hush gave way to tentative songbirds and far-off sirens.
They bundled up for a breakfast party at Valeries, New Years drawn out to a fresh page, cold noses and all. Together along the snowy street, they made a picture Serena would keep, somewhere just out of reach, whenever she dreamed strange and wonderful dreams.
