TW / Mild homophobic language in the first section.
Chapter 6: 'Twas the Week Before Christmas
18th December
"I can't believe this is finally happening! It feels so real all of a sudden..." Michelle beamed as she watched the two work men drill into the shop front. "It's going to be strange for people walking past though, isn't it? You know, after seeing Audrey's name on the sign for so many years."
"Well, that can be easily solved, can't it? Instead of calling the business 'Michelle's', why don't you just change your name to Audrey?" Vicky suggested, a cheeky glint in her eye as she smirked at the older woman. Michelle rolled her eyes, letting out a low chuckle. She shifted closer to her girlfriend, their linked arms closing the gap between them and blocking out the December frost.
"That alright there, love?" One of the men called down from the top of his ladder; his gloved hands holding the sign in its preliminary position whilst he waited for Michelle to give the go ahead. She wasn't sure the gloves were doing much to keep him warm, considering his lower half was sporting only cargo shorts and steel capped boots. She could never understand how men were so wholly unaware of what a sensible winter outfit should consist of, but at least now she didn't have to worry about it.
"That's perfect." Michelle chimed. The cream sign looked smart above the freshly painted white windowpanes of the shop front; the golden calligraphy scrawled neatly across it catching the morning sun and brightening the floor below. As it was secured into place, Michelle let out a satisfied sigh.
"I might have known it would be someone like you that would snatch this place out from underneath me." A familiar voice bellowed across the cobbled street; its tone laced with disdain. Michelle rolled her eyes at the sound of Ray's footsteps approaching, before spinning around, ready for battle.
She knew the day would come that she would have to face him again and, if she was honest, she had been completely dreading it. She was afraid her resolve would crumble beneath his audacious glare; that she would once again be reduced to the paranoid state she had found herself in the previous year. However, as she came face to face with him once more, Vicky's hold firm on her arm, she felt strong.
"Well, in my experience, people much prefer to deal with buyers that aren't renowned for screwing people over." Michelle quipped, offering him a smug smile. Vicky let out a laugh of encouragement beside her.
"Oh, pull the other one Michelle. I know you did this on purpose. It's quite pathetic really." Ray scoffed, his eyes raking up and down her body. She quivered involuntarily beneath his glare.
"And why would I want to do that?" She snapped back, furrowing her brow.
"To get back at me."
Michelle let out an incredulous laugh. It was a particularly rich sentiment, considering what he'd done in order to get back at her in the past.
"Believe it or not, mate, the world doesn't actually revolve around you." Vicky piped up; a scowl set across her face.
"And what has this got to do with you?" Ray spat. It was Vicky's turn to be examined by his pointed gaze. She shifted uncomfortably, keeping her facial expression still and controlled.
"If you start on Michelle, you start on me. And believe me, pal, I'm nowhere near as nice."
Michelle watched warily as his eyes trailed between them; taking in their close proximity and their tightly linked arms.
"Vicky is my partner." Michelle commented bluntly, spelling out the truth before he had the chance to agonisingly drag it out of them. She almost wished she hadn't as she watched his eyes light up, a renewed fire burning behind them.
"Well, I didn't expect you to be one to bat for the other team." He laughed, eyes narrowing. Michelle pursed her lips, refusing to give him the reaction he was so desperately looking for. Vicky, on the other hand, was less forgiving.
"What did you just say?" She hissed. Michelle's grip remained tight on her arm, preventing her from stepping forward and cracking him one across the nose.
"It makes sense, I suppose," Ray continued to goad, ignoring the Irish woman's outburst, "as to why you didn't jump at the chance of going with me."
Michelle felt her blood run cold, her skin crawling with disgust. She shook her head, letting out a long breath.
"You're disgusting." She breathed. "I wouldn't touch you with a ten-foot pole."
"I wouldn't want you anyway. Not after the things I've heard. Quite the goer, really, aren't you? Hey, you should start charging, you'd make a mint."
"Right," Vicky screeched, barging forwards with the intent of inflicting as much pain as she possibly could on the man before her. Michelle's grip remained steadfast on her arm, holding her back as she fought against it. "Let me have him, Chelle!" She shouted, trying to twist out of her grip.
Ray laughed at her choice of words. He took a step back, arms in the air in mock surrender.
"Aren't you the feisty one?" He chuckled, amused at her attempts to shake off her girlfriend and throttle him. "Pretty too. When this ridiculous set up between the pair of you goes up the creek, you know where I am. I'm sure I could find some use for you."
Vicky stopped struggling against Michelle and simply stared at him, dumbfounded. How anyone could have the nerve to talk to her like that was beyond comprehension. The fire of rage still blazed in the pit of her stomach, but her blood ran like ice through her veins. She was once again overcome with the urge to lunge forward at him, until Michelle's soft voice stopped her.
"Vicky, he's not even worth it." She whispered, her fingers brushing lightly through the tangled locks of her hair. Vicky took several deep breaths, her eyes meeting Michelle's in an attempt to block out the smug grin on Ray's face. "Let's just go inside, hey. Into our office below our flat." Vicky knew the words weren't so much for her benefit as they were Ray's, but they still brought a soft smile to her lips.
"This isn't over Michelle." Ray warned, "you should know better than anyone that I always get what I want."
Michelle let out a cool laugh and shook her head.
"Not this time." She sneered, shooting him a glare. "Now why don't you run back to your little Bistro and show everyone in there what you're really like, because, to be honest, Ray, it's getting pretty boring for us now."
"You heard her." Vicky interjected as Ray opened his mouth to argue. They watched, smugly, as he skulked away, muttering threats beneath his breath. "Oh my god, I want to kill him." She hissed through gritted teeth once he was out of sight.
"I know. I know you do." Michelle sighed, her fingers continuing their trail through Vicky's hair. "Listen, Vicky. I don't want us to have anything to do with him, okay? I don't know if I'd be able to handle another altercation like that."
"Well, I for one am very proud of how you handled it."
"So am I." Michelle decided, smiling lightly to herself. "And I'm proud of you. For not tackling him to the ground."
Vicky let out a short laugh. "There's still time." She'd said it half-jokingly, but Michelle's eyes fluttered shut as she let out a breath.
"I mean it, Vicky. You don't know what he's capable of. Promise me you'll stay out of his way?" Michelle pleaded, taking Vicky's gloved hand in her own freezing cold ones.
"Okay." She sighed, offering a smile. "I promise."
19th December
"To the left a tiny bit…" Michelle said, as Vicky pulled the tree to and fro, inch by inch in the corner of the room. She'd been happy with the position of it five minutes ago, but Michelle had insisted it had to be perfect and she wasn't about to deny her partner that for their first Christmas together.
"There!" Michelle cried, throwing out her hands to stop Vicky from making even the slightest extra movement. Vicky stood up abruptly, holding her hands in the air as if to prove she was no longer touching the plastic stem. "That's perfect!"
Vicky carefully manoeuvred her way out from where she had wedged herself between the tree and the wall and joined Michelle at the other side of the dining table. She snaked an arm around her waist and rested her head against her shoulder.
"I am so glad you made us put the lights on before we pushed it into the corner…" She whispered, nuzzling into Michelle's neck. Michelle rolled her eyes, a smug smile gracing her lips. The argument about the best time to dress the tree in lights had lasted a solid fifteen minutes and had almost resulted in there being no tree at all.
"Sorry, I didn't quite hear that…" Michelle teased, her eyebrow raised. "Was that you saying I was right?"
"I was simply saying that I'm glad I let you have your own way."
"And that you accept that I was right." Michelle pushed.
"Are we putting these decorations on or not?" Vicky huffed as she stood up straight, refusing to give Michelle the credit she longed for. She reached down into the plastic container at her feet and pulled out a length of tinsel; the silver strands catching the light of the sun shining through the window and casting splays of light across the flat.
"Not that, no." Michelle stated, pointing at the tinsel and screwing up her nose. Vicky frowned, dropping her hand to her side.
"Why not?" She questioned. It was a perfectly suitable piece of material; practically brand new.
"I refuse to put tinsel on the tree. It's tacky."
"Oh, yeah. And a plastic tree with lights draped around it is the height of class, isn't it?" Vicky pointed out, waving the tinsel tauntingly in front of her. Michelle rolled her eyes, but stood her ground. "What am I supposed to do with this then?" Vicky sulked. Michelle offered a shrug.
"I'm sure you'll find something."
With a sigh, Vicky let the tinsel drop from her hand, watching as it spiralled delicately back into the box. She instead reached for a box of baubles; a shade of light pink that matched the cushions resting on the couch. There was a whole assortment; plain matt ones, ones coated with a layer of glitter, ones marked with little white snowflakes. Vicky struggled to see how they were any less tacky than the piece of tinsel she had offered, but went about placing them on the tree without complaint.
Michelle did the same with her own set of baubles; silver and white ones in various sizes. She was humming along to the Christmas songs playing from the radio, a content look across her face. It warmed Vicky to see her so at ease.
Vicky returned to the box in the centre of the room, dropping her empty container into it and picking up another; this one filled with silver, snowflake shaped ornaments, once again adorned with glitter. It was already all over her hands and she was sure it would soon be all over the flat.
As she turned back towards the tree, the song on the radio changed, causing a smirk to grace across her lips; an idea forming in her head. She placed the snowflakes carefully back into the box before reaching for the tinsel and twirling the end of it around her finger.
"Oh Michelle…" She called out on the final bar of the introduction. Michelle spun around, a confused look on her face as Vicky eyed her seductively.
"Santa baby, just slip a sable under the tree, for me…"
Michelle rolled her eyes and let out a laugh as Vicky began to serenade her; twisting the tinsel between her fingers.
"I've been an awful good girl…"
Michelle scoffed, raising her eyebrows and crossing her arms at the glint behind Vicky's bright, grey eyes.
"Santa baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight…"
Vicky took several, slow steps towards Michelle, biting her lip as she approached. She stopped at the edge of the dining table, bending over and resting an elbow against the surface, her chin sat against the palm of her hand, eyeing Michelle the whole time.
"Santa baby, a 54 convertible too, light blue. I'll wait up for you dear…"
She stood up and pulled herself into a seated position on the corner of the table, her long, slender legs dangling over the edge. She flicked one up into the air, toe pointed gracefully, before crossing it over the other; her head falling back as she leant into her hands.
"Santa baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight…"
She jumped elegantly down and took a further step towards Michelle, who maintained the amused look on her face, accompanied now by a subtle blush in her cheeks. She let out a little squeal as Vicky grabbed her hand and spun her around, wrapping her arms around her waist from behind; the stray tinsel she was still clutching tickling the side of her leg.
"Think of all the fun I've missed…"
Michelle could feel Vicky's breath against her neck as she swayed them from side to side, her voice like treacle in her ears.
"Think of all the fellas that I haven't kissed…"
She felt the sharp prod of a finger into her ribs on the fifth word and let out a laugh, rolling her eyes at the phrase. She felt herself being spun around to face Vicky again, before the tinsel was draped over her shoulders.
"Next year I could be just as good, if you'll check off my Christmas list…"
Vicky allowed her hips to circle freely along with the music, her grip on the tinsel firm as she held Michelle close to her. She took several slow steps back, before lightly pushing Michelle down into the chair they'd pulled out from the table in order to make space for the tree. They kept their eyes locked together, Michelle's darkening in anticipation.
"Santa baby, I want a yacht and really that's not a lot…"
Vicky wandered around the back of the chair, her fingers trailing along the exposed skin of Michelle's collar bone.
"Been an angel all year, Santa baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight…"
She allowed her fingers to trail down Michelle's arms, teasing her with the lightness of her touch.
"Santa honey, one little thing I really need, the deed…"
She continued her circle around the chair, stopping beside it and carefully swinging her leg over so she was sat in Michelle's lap. She allowed her arms to rest on Michelle's shoulders, linking her hands together behind her neck.
"To a platinum mine, Santa baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight…"
Her hips were once again swaying in time with the music. She could hear Michelle's shallow breathing and felt a smug smile pull at her lips. She placed a quick, teasing peck against her lips before pulling away again, standing up completely and sitting back up on the table.
"Santa cutie, fill my stocking with a duplex, and checks. Sign your X on the line, Santa cutie, and hurry down the chimney tonight..."
Vicky beckoned Michelle towards her with a single finger. She watched as she approached, tinsel still draped around her neck. Vicky curled her fingers around each end and gave a sharp tug, pulling Michelle against her.
"Come and trim my Christmas tree, with some decorations bought at Tiffany's."
Vicky let go of the tinsel, instead allowing her hands to run down the front of Michelle's body. She felt Michelle's hands press into the tops of her thighs as she leant forwards.
"I really do believe in you, lets see if you believe in me…"
Vicky didn't get the chance to finish the last verse, as Michelle's lips crashed furiously against her own. She felt the hard surface of the table against her back, her hands tangling in Michelle's hair as she deepened their kiss, Michelle's hands searching Vicky's body and finding the skin beneath her jumper. She pulled away breathlessly, her eyes dark and hair dishevelled, offering a seductive grin.
"I think the tree can wait."
20th December
Vicky pushed down the door handle with her elbow, carefully balancing the white box in both hands. She entered the flat to the sound of the kettle boiling and mugs clattering onto the worktop. She approached the kitchen, offering a bewildered Michelle a kiss on the cheek.
"You were up early." Michelle pointed out, pouring the freshly boiled water into the cafetiere. It was clear she'd only been up a few minutes, but Vicky couldn't help noticing how she seemed to glow. She was fresh faced, her hair swept carelessly over one shoulder and a silk, black dressing gown tied tightly around her waist. "Your side of the bed was practically frozen by the time I woke up."
Vicky let out a little laugh, placing the box onto the countertop beside her.
"I had to pick up the cake first thing. Sorry, I didn't want to wake you." She smiled, gratefully accepting a steaming mug from her girlfriend. "How is Sonny? Is he awake yet?"
"Not yet..." Michelle grinned, gesturing towards the baby monitor sat quietly on the worktop.
"I can't believe he's a full year old..." Vicky exhaled, shaking her head in disbelief. The time had flown by faster than she could blink. The previous year felt like a lifetime ago; it was a though she was now leading a totally different life.
"This time last year you gave me that phone call and changed everything..." Michelle whispered. Her eyes were downcast, watching the liquid spiralling in the mug. Vicky sighed, placing a gentle hand on her back and rubbing soothing circles.
"And I am so glad I did. Because, thanks to you, we have a healthy, happy little boy who wants for nothing."
Michelle let a small smile grace her lips, tilting her head to catch Vicky's eye.
"You, Tyler and Sonny are the best thing that has ever happened to me." She said, sincerely. Vicky let out a light laugh.
"Don't let Ryan or Ali hear you talking like that."
Their peace was interrupted by the sound of gurgles and coos through the baby monitor. After taking a quick sip of her coffee, Vicky placed the mug down and started towards Sonny's bedroom.
"I'll get him ready. Don't look at the cake, I want it to be a surprise!" She called back, as she headed off.
Michelle stood silently in the kitchen for several minutes, sipping slowly on her coffee and allowing her thoughts to wander.
It had been an entire year since she'd abandoned Robert's court hearing and rushed to Vicky's side, completely terrified by what she might find inside the dingy hotel room. That fear hadn't left her until she had Sonny safely in her arms, and was wrapping him up in one of the scratchy hotel towels.
Even then, before everything had happened between her and Vicky, she felt an unexplainable bond with the child. She supposed it was something midwives must feel on a regular basis, the only difference being that they wouldn't go on to spend so much time with the child in question. As she held him in that moment, the trauma and fear slipping away, her heart had burst with love and pride.
Maybe deep down she already knew. She and Vicky had spent a lot of time together over the few weeks she had been 'missing' and had shared several meaningful conversations. Perhaps deep down things between them had already started to develop; feelings flourishing into something that neither of them could really explain.
And yet moments later, as she'd handed him across to Vicky, her heart had broken once more. The realisation that she was not the person who should have been beside her for the birth hit her hard. It should have been Robert there, stroking Vicky's arm, telling her that everything would be okay. As the paramedics had burst into the room, she knew it was over. Robert would replace her at some point, no matter how much Vicky tried to prolong it.
Only he didn't get the chance. Michelle's stomach churned as the guilt washed over her once more, stronger than usual on this particular day. It should have been him here, celebrating his son's first birthday, not her. She wondered if Vicky had felt the same. She wondered if Vicky felt that same disgust when she looked at her as Michelle did when she looked in the mirror; disgusted by what she'd been reduced to and what had happened as a result of their actions. Sonny would have to grow up without a dad, being raised instead by the woman who'd ruined his life. She wondered how long it would take Vicky to realise that, if she hadn't already.
She shook her head, trying to control the rising guilt. Placing her empty mug into the sink, she glanced around the flat in search of something to do to take her mind away from the thoughts swimming around her head. Everything was tidy, the stack of presents organised on the living room rug ready for Sonny to tear at the paper.
Her eyes fell upon the paper box on the worktop beside her. She'd heard Vicky's warning, but her curiosity was peaking. She was good at pretending to be surprised; years of living with Steve McDonald had helped with that; so if she looked now, Vicky would never know.
Carefully and quietly, she slipped the lid from the top of the box. As her eyes fell upon the top of the cake, she let out a soft gasp. Bringing a hand to her mouth she stifled a sob as her eyes welled with tears.
The surface of the cake was printed with a photo, one that had been taken at the Pumpkin Patch they'd visited back in October. They were all wrapped up in winter coats, adorned with hats and scarves. Michelle was holding Sonny in her arms, pointing at the camera in an attempt to get him to look in the right direction. Instead he was laughing at her, grabbing at her finger with his own chubby hands. Tyler stood next to her, one hand in the air forming bunny ears behind Michelle's head. He wore a cheeky grin, and had his other arm slung around Vicky. She was embracing him, both arms wrapped around his waist, her face lit up with laughter at Sonny and Michelle.
It wasn't just the picture that had made Michelle well up. In the white space above and below it were words scrawled in orange icing:
Happy 1st Birthday, Sonny!
With love, from your family x
Michelle stared at the words for a few moments, reading them over and over again. Your family. It was as though all of the doubts she had about not belonging, not being the right fit, suddenly slipped away. She had been there for the past year, nurturing and comforting, putting their needs before her own. She realised then that that was what really mattered. Blood wasn't always the most important thing.
"Thought I told you not to peek at the cake..." Vicky's voice rang out, a hint of laughter behind it. Michelle spun round, quickly wiping the stray tears from her eyes and let out a laugh.
"Sorry!" She replied, trying to keep her voice upbeat, offering Sonny a grin and a little wave.
"Hey, what's the matter?" Vicky asked. She could tell Michelle had been crying and her stomach had suddenly dropped.
"Nothing, babe. I'm fine. Just, the cake. It's so lovely, I just... We really are a proper family, aren't we?" Michelle said, like it was a new revelation for her. Vicky let out a laugh, rolling her eyes and pulling her into a side hug.
"Course we are! You, me, Sonny, Tyler, Ali and Ryan." She grinned. "Just the way it should be."
21st December
The sharp sound of the buzzer ringing round the flat interrupted Michelle's singing along to the Christmas songs playing on the radio. She placed down the present she was halfway through wrapping and quickly hopped up to answer the door. She'd been anticipating Ryan's visit since early that morning, but, as expected, he'd come much later.
She released the latch on the door and allowed him to let himself up. She rolled her eyes at the sound of his footsteps pounding heavily up the stairs as she waited for him to appear.
"Hiya mum!" He called as he emerged through the door, his arms loaded with bags of presents.
"Good afternoon..." She teased, offering him a quick kiss on the cheek. "Drink?"
"Oh, I'd love a beer if you've got one?" He enthused, dumping the presents on the floor and hopping onto the sofa.
"Get your shoes off if you're putting your feet on the couch." Michelle warned, as she searched the fridge for an appropriate can of ale. She pulled out a local IPA, the metal can cool in her palm.
"Hiya, Ryan!" Vicky's voice sounded from the bedroom doorway. She headed straight past the kitchen towards the tree in the corner, placing several presents beneath it.
"Am I allowed back in the bedroom now then?" Michelle laughed, as Vicky settled down in the armchair, having clearly finished her task for the day.
"Yes, thank you babe." She smiled sweetly. "I take it none of these are for me?" She gestured to the pile of gifts on the floor; some wrapped, some not, and one halfway through.
"Nope. They're Tyler's. Thought I'd get them done while he's at work." Michelle explained, holding Ryan's beer over the back of the sofa for him to take, before returning to the kitchen to pour herself and Vicky a glass of wine each.
"He managed to find a job then?" Ryan inquired, cracking open the can. The liquid inside fizzed, rising slightly to the top.
"His old boss managed to get in contact with someone who has a restaurant more locally." Vicky smiled, proudly. "Thank you for asking at Speed Dahl, though."
"Oh, it's no problem. I'm sure in other circumstances they would have taken him on, but with everything that's been going on recently..."
"Yeah, it's awful isn't it. Poor Yasmeen." Michelle said, passing Vicky her wine glass before settling down beside Ryan. "How's Alya?"
"She's doing okay. She wants to spend Christmas with her gran, which is understandable."
"Of course. Well, I'm sure Jenny won't mind if you still want to pop your head in." Michelle smiled.
"You know what, mum, I think I might give that a miss..." Ryan grinned, receiving a laugh from Michelle in response.
"You're going to have to tell us who's presents are who's before you go." Michelle pointed out, gesturing to the pile of gift bags on the floor behind him.
"Don't panic, mum. I have labelled each and every one of them. I even put 'love Ryan' so they know it's from me." He boasted, a cheeky glint in his eye. Michelle reached out to ruffle his hair, narrowing her eyes.
"Who are you and what have you done with my Ryan?"
Ryan shrugged, dodging away from Michelle's hand.
"If you're impressed by that, wait until you hear what else I've done..." Ryan grinned. Michelle raised an eyebrow. "I have grouped the presents into separate bags by family. Jenny and Johnny have a bag. Carla and Peter have a bag. You lot have a bag-"
"Nice one Ryan!" Vicky enthused, offering a hand out to high five him. Michelle rolled her eyes as their hands met.
"Alya sorted the presents, didn't she?"
"She did, yeah." Ryan nodded, causing Vicky to roar with laughter. Michelle shook her head, a smile on her face.
"Honestly, you never change!"
22nd December
"Sweet mother of god, how long does it take Santa to dish out a couple of prezzies?" Vicky huffed, folding her arms and shifting her weight into her hip. Her feet were throbbing after traipsing around the shopping centre for last minute gifts and the queue to Santa's grotto had felt never ending.
"Well, the woman in front of us did have five kids in tow..." Michelle pointed out, rocking the buggy in an attempt to keep a grizzling Sonny happy until it was his turn to meet Father Christmas. They'd finally reached the little 'Santa's Grotto' sign at the front of the queue that was coated in red glitter; the kind that would linger for weeks should anyone accidentally brush past it. They'd been stood beside it for the best part of ten minutes and it was fair to say that all three of them were beginning to lose their patience.
"God, imagine trying to drag up five sprogs. It's hard enough with just him." Vicky gestured towards the pram, her face screwed up in displeasure. Sonny hadn't slept well the previous night, which meant in turn neither had Vicky or Michelle. Whilst the latter was slightly better at coping with less sleep, Vicky was certainly struggling. On top of that, he'd been a little terror all morning and had found his way into her bad books.
"Well, with him, Tyler, Ryan and Ali we've nearly matched her."
"Hardly. The other three basically raise themselves."
"Oh, I don't know," Michelle laughed, "Ryan's been harder work since he reached his twenties than he ever was as a kid."
Vicky snorted, several of Michelle's stories about her unruly son instantly springing to mind. She let out a sigh as the little door in front of them was pulled open and a young girl dressed head to toe in an elf uniform, cheeks painted with bright red paint and a face like thunder, stepped through.
"Santa's ready for you." She hummed, sinking into one hip and folding her arms.
"Thank Jesus." Vicky exhaled, wasting no time in scooping up the shopping bags she had left resting by her feet. Michelle's eyebrow was cocked up at the girl in front of them as she pushed the pram through the door.
She leant towards Vicky and quietly whispered, "someone's on the naughty list...", before nodding her head in the direction of the grumpy elf. Vicky let out a snort.
"Ho, ho, ho! Merry Christmas!" Santa bellowed as they entered the room. Vicky bent down to unclip Sonny from his seat, scooping him in her arms and resting him against her hip. "And who do we have here then?"
"This is Sonny." Michelle beamed, reaching out a finger to lightly stroke his cheek. He batted her away, letting out a grumble as he glared at the strange, bearded man before him.
"Well, Sonny, let me check my list and see if you've been a good boy this year!"
"Hardly." Vicky scoffed, shooting the child a glare. Michelle gave her a nudge, but wore a smile all the same. She knew how difficult Vicky had found raising Sonny, particularly without a father figure. She'd tried her best to step up and fill the void, but she knew deep down it could never be the same, no matter how many times Vicky told her otherwise. She felt that familiar twinge of guilt and tried to push the thought away, turning her attention back to Father Christmas.
"Oh, yes! Of course, here you are! The top of the good list!"
"Yay, well done, Sonny!" Michelle cooed.
"So, young Sonny. What is it you'd like for Christmas?"
Sonny pouted his lips as they waited in anticipation, as though he may actually form a sentence. Instead, his face screwed up as he began to scream; a screechy high-pitched sound that went right through Vicky and took both Santa and Michelle by surprise.
"Oh dear..." Santa laughed nervously, as Vicky scowled, holding him at arms length. Taking the hint, Michelle took him from her and attempted to settle him. Instead, he balled his hand into a fist around a strand of her hair and tugged hard.
"Ow!" She yelped, as he continued to pull, casting Vicky a helpless glance, "Vicky, help me!"
"Well, you don't complain when I do it..." She smirked. Michelle felt her face flush a deep shade of purple.
"I am so sorry, Santa. Please ignore my girlfriend, she is very much on the naughty list."
Vicky let out a shout of laughter at what Michelle had unintentionally implied, whilst Sonny continued his assault on her hair, his screams echoing around the tiny room.
"Well, erm..." Santa coughed, reaching into the red sack beside him and pulling out a wrapped present. "Here you go, Sonny. I'll bring you some more presents on the big day if you carry on being... Good..."
His words went practically unheard as the two women wrestled the screeching child back into the buggy, Michelle's hair still tight in his grip. She carefully coaxed his fingers open and sprung away from him at the first opportunity. She gratefully accepted the gift the man was holding out and flashed him an apologetic glance.
"Thank you, Santa."
Vicky was already partway through the door when she called for Michelle to follow. As they re-emerged into the shopping centre, Sonny's cries continued, gaining them plenty of dirty looks from their fellow shoppers.
"Please god, can we just go home?" Michelle begged, already wishing the ground would swallow her up. Vicky shot her a glance. "What?"
"Flaming naughty list. I'll show you who's on the naughty list..."
Michelle bit her lip, stifling a laugh.
"Not in front of the children, please, Victoria."
Vicky shot her a look, her eyes narrow.
"Home. Now."
23rd December
"Here come the lovebirds!" Carla's voice sang out as Michelle and Vicky entered the Rovers. Michelle shot her a wide smile as she approached her side at the bar, removing her winter coat to expose the black, sequin playsuit with the wrap style front she was sporting underneath. Vicky followed suit, revealing the black woollen jumper that fell off one shoulder and rested over her tight leather jeans. "Well, don't you two look fabulous!"
"As do you." Michelle remarked, taking in Carla's polo neck jumper and planting a light kiss on her cheek. "Where's Peter? We're relying on him for the sports round."
"He's just gone to get changed. Jenny and her eggnog, it's a long story." Carla rolled her eyes, taking a sip of her wine. "Are you sure it's going to be alright?" She added, dropping her volume a couple of notches.
"Course it is. Vicky's promised to be on her best behaviour, haven't you Vics?" She asked, wrapping an arm around her waist. Vicky turned from where she'd been giving their drinks orders and flashed Carla a smile.
"Oh, yeah. Good as gold me. Ah, here he is!" She cried, as he made his way around the bar. "Hi Peter!"
"Hi Vicky..." He coughed, before turning his attention to Michelle, flashing her a genuine smile. "Hi Chelle. Good to see you. How have you been?"
Michelle opened her mouth to respond but was sharply interrupted by her partner.
"Oh, we've been just grand, haven't we babe?" Vicky replied sweetly, combing a hand through Michelle's freshly curled hair. Michelle rolled her eyes, flashing Carla a knowing smile.
"Just the one between the four of you?" Johnny asked, slipping an answer sheet on the bar in front of them. They all nodded with varying degrees of eagerness at the idea of forming a quiz team.
Johnny returned to the opposite side of the bar and prepared to begin the quiz, shuffling his question papers until he had them in the right order and taking a sip of his drink.
"Okay everybody, listen up! This years main prize is a grand total of..." He began a drum roll on the bar in front of him, which was reciprocated by the rest of the crowd, alongside a series of rowdy cheers. "Seventy-five pounds!"
"Is that it?" Vicky scoffed, receiving an elbow in the ribs from Michelle.
"Don't forget, bonus prizes for the best team name!"
"Ooh, we need a name!" Michelle pointed out, jabbing her finger at the blank space at the top of the page.
"Carla, Peter, Michelle and Vicky?" Carla suggested, taking the pen in her hand.
"Oh yeah, because that's original, isn't it?" Michelle rolled her eyes.
"I've got one!" Vicky grinned. The others looked at her expectantly. "Peter, two women he's bedded and one that we know he can't resist but won't go anywhere near him."
They blinked at her several times whilst she let out a cackle of laughter.
"God, I need a drink..." Peter murmured.
"No, you don't." Carla nudged him. "What about The Connor-Barlow-Jefferies?"
"Boring!" Vicky sang, sipping her drink again.
"Peter's Posse?" Peter shrugged, receiving three unimpressed glares.
"Victoria and her sponge cake?" Vicky said, receiving a laugh from Michelle.
"What does that even mean?" Peter asked, exasperated.
"How about The Former Rovers Landlady and her Three Best Clients?" Michelle giggled.
"Oi you. I know I can guzzle it down but don't tarnish us two with the alchies brush!" Vicky stated, with mock offence. Carla let out a laugh.
"I don't know, I've bought enough bottles of red in here over the years..."
"The Winos?" Peter suggested, clearly losing interest.
"Will you lot hurry up so I can start?" Johnny called out to the bickering foursome.
"Sorry Johnny!" Michelle called out. "Okay, I've got one." She said, snatching the pen from Carla's hand, writing down the first letter of each word she said. "Three Women And Their Squire."
Her three teammates glanced down at the page and the five initials Michelle had scrawled on the line.
"But Michelle..." Carla muttered, rereading the letters and furrowing her brow. "That spells-"
"I know."
24th December
Michelle closed the door to Sonny's bedroom softly as Vicky laid the last of his presents beneath the tree, before padding quietly towards the sofa.
"Did he get off okay?" Vicky asked as she stood up from beside the tree and joined her on the couch.
"Yeah, he's out like a light. I can't wait to see his little face tomorrow, Vicky."
"Me neither." She smiled back. "We're going to make it perfect for him."
They sat in a companionable silence for a moment, Michelle's focus on the piece of skin she was picking at beside her nail, painted with red glitter polish especially for the festive season.
"Did you, um... Did you want to take Sonny to see his dad?" The words that fell from Michelle's lips were quiet, but they struck Vicky with the same pained feeling she had felt the day she'd first heard the news.
"I don't know yet." She answered, honestly. It was something that had been playing on her mind for the past few days; keeping her awake at night. She knew deep down that Sonny was just an excuse. It wouldn't make the slightest bit of difference to him whether they visited his father's grave or not. He wouldn't understand in the least what was going on and he was far too young to even remember it. It was more a question of whether it was what they wanted. Whether they could handle it.
"Okay..." Michelle whispered, nodding in understanding.
Vicky let out a soft sigh, reaching across to take Michelle's hand in hers.
"You want to go, don't you?"
"I don't know. Part of me wants to just forget about him completely and the other part is telling me I need to go and face it."
"Yeah, snap..." Vicky sighed. She wrapped an arm around Michelle's shoulder and pulled her in, placing a soft kiss on the top of her head. "Why don't we just play it by ear, hey?" She whispered into her hair. "If the moment comes, then we'll go. If it doesn't, we won't. No pressure either way."
Michelle looked up and offered her a grateful smile. "Sounds perfect."
"What do you fancy for dinner?" Vicky asked, softly stroking Michelle's hair as she mulled over the answer.
"Well, I did get all the stuff for a shepherd's pie but I can't really be bothered now..."
"Take away?" Vicky grinned, her stomach rumbling at the thought.
"Absolutely. I can run down to Speed Daal now if you want? Grab us the usual?"
"Mmm, yes please." Vicky hummed, pecking Michelle's lips as she went to stand up. "Thanks babe."
Michelle retrieved her coat from the hook, scooped up her handbag and headed out of the flat.
Vicky pulled herself up from the couch and headed into the kitchen, retrieving two plates and two wine glasses from the cupboard. She chose a bottle from the rack; a 2018 Saint-Émilion; and carefully poured the red liquid into each glass. She set two places at the dinner table, knowing full well that Tyler wouldn't return until the early hours of the morning.
She'd never really been one for the domesticated life until Michelle had moved in. After that it was routines, proper meals and sensible bed times. Michelle was everything she hadn't known she'd needed. She'd entered her life like a whirlwind and had quickly become her rock. She couldn't imagine life without her now.
The sound of the buzzer ringing through the flat startled her. She placed a hand against her rapidly beating heart and let out a laugh. Michelle was always pointing out how easy it was to make her jump and it had quickly become one of their little jokes.
"Alright, alright. I'm coming." Vicky said into the air as the buzzer continued to ring, as though someone was repeatedly jabbing at it.
"Hello?" Vicky asked, after placing the receiver against her ear. The gravelly voice on the other end was unfamiliar through the phone, but the urgency and aggression of their tone was clear.
"Open the door before I break it down."
