Chapter 24 – Christmas Eve part 2

During the delicious dinner, the chef is given lots of compliments. Claire is embarrassed by it. She tries to direct the words of praise to Marc, but he doesn’t fall for it.

“You’re the chef,” he says, “you’re in charge, I only do what you say in the kitchen.”

After a refreshing walk in the cold darkness, they move to the living room. They leave the dishes for tomorrow. Now it’s time for Christmas Eve. Everyone is looking forward to it and the atmosphere is tense and expectant. All the presents are between the Christmas trees and it’s a huge pile. They take turns throwing a dice and choosing a present for someone else. Together they make sure that no one has to wait long to unwrap something.

Lisa has made a basket for everyone in their favorite colors. Some are low and wide, others are high and still others have a handle, ears or a lid. They are admired extensively.

Noa has made a pair of shoes for everyone. They fit perfectly. Noa has an eye for it, he can estimate size perfectly.

“No wonder you’re so busy, mate,” says Marc admiringly. He has put on his new shoes and walks around gracefully with them. “Where have you been hiding them all this time?”
“Under the stairs in our room,” says Noa proudly.

Jean Paul has a handy tool for everyone. For Claire and Marc a spice rack in the kitchen. For Lisa a set of pencils so she can pick up her drawing again. For Lana a heart, for which she hugs him extensively. For Mimi a platform for her computer, that is better for her wrists and for Noa a nice box for his tools, so he has a box of his own.

Lana has restored old paintings for the living room that she found in a second-hand shop.
Claire has a plant for everyone and a large plant for the living room.

Mimi has knitted a hat for everyone in their favourite colours. Noa enthusiastically tries on Mimi’s hat and holds it up. She looks at him searchingly. “You seem happy,” she says softly to him. They sit together on a bench. Noa thinks for a moment and nods.

“Yes, I am too. It’s been a long time since I’ve had people around me that I like.”

“How beautiful!” Claire exclaims. “I didn’t know you could knit so beautifully.”

“I had a good teacher,” Mimi says proudly. Lisa taught her to knit when she had to rest for a while because of her knee injury. It was a very good distraction. “I hid them in the office cupboard for office supplies.” She giggles. “Luckily you don’t need them that often.” They usually ask her to take care of their mail. She has now become the group’s secretary.

Finally, Marc gets up to get the last present. He has bought a large rug for the kitchen. The rug is in the colors of the wallpaper and the carpet.

Everything is admired, shown off and discussed. Everyone is chattering away.

Read more tomorrow.