On Saturday morning, Tigger had nothing on Myra and Lottie as the girls sprang out of the back of the car like demented jack-in-the-boxes. A light dusting of snow had come down overnight, creating a perfect backdrop for the Christmas tree launch, and the visit of the reindeer.
They were literally bouncing up and down when Lottie met them and Steph on the Firholme staff car park.
‘What are they on? Red Bull and E numbers?’
Steph shook her head wearily. ‘God knows but they were awake at midnight, and four o’clock and six … I was hoping for a lie-in after the week I’ve had but there’s no chance of that.’
Lottie did think Steph looked drawn. She really wanted to believe it was down to the twins keeping her awake and not something worse.
‘We’re going to see the reindeer! We’re going to meet the reindeer!’ they shrieked, running around the car park, leaving welly prints in the snow.
‘I’m going to hug a baby reindeer,’ Myra declared. ‘And I’m going to bring him home to live with me.’
‘You can’t bring him home,’ Jodie said. ‘Mummy won’t let you.’
‘The reindeer’s mummy won’t let you,’ Steph said. ‘Please calm down, girls.’
Lottie called them over. ‘Now, girls. It’s very important that we’re super gentle and quiet around the reindeer, especially the baby. You don’t want them to be scared and upset, do you?’
They both shook their heads solemnly.
‘If we’re too loud, the reindeer farmer might have to stop our visit,’ Steph warned.
Myra’s bottom lip wobbled.
‘Don’t worry,’ Lottie said. ‘Because I know that you two are going to be the best-behaved, gentlest visitors the reindeer have ever met and they will love you.’
‘We will,’ Jodie whispered.
Myra nodded. ‘We’ll be very quiet and very gentle especially with the baby.’
‘Good. So, shall we head up to their paddock? We can choose a Christmas tree too, if you’re good.’
‘Yes!!’ The girls erupted into life again. ‘We’re going to get a treeeeeeee! We’re going to meet a babeeeee reindeeerrrrrr!’
‘Oh God, I hope we don’t cause a stampede,’ Steph said, walking beside Lottie to the forest entrance, the twins skipping ahead.
‘Jay said the reindeer handlers are very good with children,’ Lottie said, highly amused.
‘I hope so.’
The Christmas tree centre looked spectacular, as if an invisible hand had sprinkled icing sugar over the fields and roofs of Firholme. Lottie was bubbling, despite the strain of the wedding. Who couldn’t be infected with the excitement of two five-year-olds who had snow, Christmas and reindeer to look forward to?
Steph must have caught her mood. ‘Feels good, doesn’t it?’
‘Yes.’
‘Thanks for being an awesome sister and friend.’ Steph flung her arm around Lottie and gave her a squeeze.
‘You’re welcome.’
‘There they are!’ The children hared off across the grass towards the Christmas tree centre where in a small paddock half a dozen reindeer stood munching on hay. The baby was no bigger than a large Labrador. Lottie had to admit, it was incredibly cute.
‘Girls. What did I say about being quiet?’ The twins slowed and waited for Steph and Lottie to catch up with them.
‘There’s Jay,’ said Lottie.
Steph let out a whistle. ‘Wow. That’s a sight to cheer up a cold morning. He reminds me of Kit Harington.’
‘Really?’ Lottie daren’t admit the thought had crossed her mind a few times.
‘Yes, and with all the snow and trees, it’s all very Game of Thrones up here this morning.’
Jay joined them, and Lottie was pleased to see he looked as relaxed as he usually did when he was outdoors and in his element.
She made the introductions before he led them over to the reindeer handler.
‘Are they Santa’s real reindeer? Myra asked.
‘I’m not sure,’ he said. ‘Shall we ask the lady who looks after them?’
A woman with hair the colour of a peppermint candy cane greeted them by the gate to the reindeer paddock. She had enough ear and nose piercings to set off every airport metal detector this side of Heathrow and the girls stared at her in naked curiosity.
‘Hiya,’ Jay said. ‘This is Cush. She runs the reindeer sanctuary in the valley. Cush, this is Myra and Jodie.’
Unfazed by the twins’ stares, Cush grinned. ‘Hi there,’ she said cheerfully. ‘I’m going to let you meet Gary, Jason, Howard and Mark.’
‘What the …?’ Steph whispered to Lottie.
‘Take That, I think,’ Lottie said, exchanging an amused glance with Jay.
‘Not exactly my taste in music,’ he said. ‘What happened to Robbie?’ he added while the girls switched their attention back to the grazing reindeer and the baby.
‘He decided to quit the herd,’ Cush said. ‘Actually, he’s a she – Robbie is short for Roberta – and she’s back at the reindeer farm.’
‘Now, this is little Elvis,’ Cush said, pointing to the baby. ‘And his mum, Adele.’
‘It gets better,’ Steph said in delight.
Cush explained where the reindeer normally lived and what they ate, then answered a pile of questions, before asking if the girls would like to stroke one of the larger animals and the baby. The look in the girls’ eyes was pure wonder and Lottie had a lump in her throat.
Jay hung around, taking photos with Lottie and Steph’s phones.
The twins might happily have stayed all morning but Cush explained that it was almost time for the general public to be allowed in to see them.
While they said a final goodbye, Lottie stood aside with Jay.
‘Thanks for sorting out a private visit. The girls have absolutely loved it,’ she said. ‘Steph’s enjoyed it too.’
‘You’re welcome. I’m glad it lived up to expectations. Would you like to choose a tree before the chaos starts?’ he asked. ‘I’ve squared it with Shayla. Every member of staff can have one if they want.’
‘OK. As long as you’re not too busy.’
‘Of course I’m too busy.’ He shared a glance. ‘But I’m going to make time.’
The five of them wandered through
