There was a clip-clop of hooves as a light flickered in the dark.
There they were. Some reindeer. Was that Derek? Pulling the sleigh from the film, with Father Christmas and his very own elf holding the reins.
Elijah had got the Sleigh Another Day sleigh!
“PLACES!” Harry’s mum yelled. “We’ve only got one take guys. So, from the top…”
My family and I grabbed our instruments and for one last time began to play, the sleigh slowly rolling nearer and nearer to the stage. The crowd, who were all singing along and waving their hats, their lights, whatever they had, parted as it pulled up. Santa was waving, clutching a huge sack of presents. Next to him an elf hopped about ringing a stick with bells on. Finally, an elf more embarrassing than me! As they made their way into the crowd, Father Christmas handed out presents to the Holly Hospice residents. With the snow and everything, it was so magical it almost felt like the real Santa Claus was here.
Grampy G would have loved it.
And as we started the last chorus, Father Christmas and the elf joined us onstage, which soon became one big stage invasion led by Mr W and Grace.
Yes, this last month had all been a shock, but maybe being an elf wasn’t so bad after all.
CHAPTER
28
I wasn’t sure I was ever going to sing anything ever again with my family, so when my famous last line came, I looked right into the camera, just as the director had asked, and gave it some serious elf-welly.
“Happy holidays from the cutest little elf in the whole wide world!”
I’d done it. We’d done it.
But no one called cut. The cameras kept on filming.
And the other elf stepped up to the mic next to me.
“Don’t forget about me!” he sang into the mic, in a truly terrible, squeaky elf voice. What was going on?! The crowd cracked up – whistling, cheering, laughing. What was he doing? And why was he taking off his green elfy beard? His green elfy hat? His black-rimmed glasses with candy canes on?
I should have guessed when I saw beautiful red curls sticking out from under Santa’s grey hair. But I hadn’t had a clue.
“May I?” my rival elf asked. I could only muster a nod.
But the elf? He held up some mistletoe. Leant in. And kissed my cheek.
What … the? The crowd went wild. Grace climbed on Harry’s shoulders.
Was Joseph D I-Hate-Christmas Chambers dressed as an elf?
Was Joseph D I-Don’t-Talk-About-My-Private-Life Chambers kissing me in front of the world?
Was Joseph D I-Should-Be-In-Paris Chambers in Bromster?
Wait. Once more.
Did Joseph D Chambers just kiss me?
“AND THAT’S A WRAP!” Harry’s mum yelled. The crowd whooped. But I was in elf-shock. “Great job, guys. Excellent cameos from Joseph and Maeve.” Was Ru really here? “Parsnip and turkey, I didn’t think the twerking was going to work but somehow it did.” My dad yelled “turk-ing!”, making the crowd giggle. “It’s going to look awesome. And Molly – great surprised face! You can stop now though, the cameras are off.” Was Joseph D Chambers here? “So, let’s get some music on and start this party, because I’ve heard all about Grace’s wonderful granddad, and now the boring bit’s done, we’re all here to party like Grampy George would want us to!” Had Joseph D Chambers forgiven me?!
“There’ll be raffles and quite a lot of biscuits to buy – so dig deep and raise money for Holly Hospice.” The front row whooped! “And, most importantly, have fun!”
And with a big cheer the party kicked off.
But I was still standing at the mic, blinking. I looked down at Grace who was grinning up at me, loving what was happening.
Did Joseph D Chambers just kiss me?
Maeve whipped off her Santa hat and hair and leant over. “All his idea. Told him we’d look ridiculous.” She tugged at her beard. “But he said that was the point.” She laughed, as next to her the cutest green face smiled at me.
“Just call me Jos-elf.” Joseph scrunched his face, embarrassed. “No, that doesn’t work, does it.”
“And this is where I leave you to it.” Maeve gave me a hug and stepped back, waggling her big bushy white eyebrows. “Thanks for getting me out of that red carpet dress, by the way. Total saviour. Now I just have to hope your sister digs girls with serious facial hair…” and she walked off.
My sister? What?! But Joseph?! WHAT EVEN MORE?!
And it was just the two of us.
Two elves on a stage. A sleigh in front of us. My house behind us.
It wasn’t a surprise I had no idea what to say.
“To be honest, when I heard the music video was actually happening, I worried you might bail on the whole elf thing. So, I thought what’s better than doing it by yours-elf?... Doing it by ours-elf-s.” He shook his head. “Sorry. Too much elf. I’m nervous, OK?”
He’s nervous?!
What about me?! In a daze I walked down off the stage and into the crowd – the few seconds’ break allowing me to remember how to speak.
