‘I’m not a kid any more, I can wait until you’re both here,’ she scoffed, ‘although I do like the look of that slim, long box.’ Reaching out for it and ripping off the paper, Alex and Maggie saw the excitement on her face when Deana realised, she had a new laptop. She had moaned for weeks that she had to go to the library to use theirs or stay behind at college to finish essays. Now she had her own and Alex and Maggie knew they had made the right decision coming out of hiding and trying to make a new life for themselves. Things like this made it all worthwhile. Family first, no matter what.

‘Here’s your jumper Alex. Remember you promised to wear it and wear that frown upside down,’ laughed Maggie, handing Alex his present.

‘Any other presents under there for me? Such as any bonuses if I wear it?’ His dark eyes twinkled naughtily as he winked at her.

‘No one gets a bonus until later today, or tonight in your case. So maybe, just maybe, there might be something extra in your stocking.’

‘Or in yours love. I prefer my stockings on you.’ He grinned, then looked towards Deana, who plainly wasn’t listening. She was too busy looking at her laptop.

Maggie laughed. ‘Come on, we need to get up and at ’em. Chef’s coming earlier than usual, and we need to get sorted out. First sitting for lunch is twelve.’

Alex couldn’t believe his eyes when the army of customers started coming through the doors on Christmas Day. The brewery had sent two agency staff to help them, one for the bar and kitchen, but even then, they were still struggling. So Olivia and Emma rolled up their sleeves and came to the rescue – all in the spirit of Christmas.

‘Are you Spanish?’ Julia, one of the agency workers, suddenly asked Alex.

‘No,’ answered Alex swiftly. He felt it was unnecessary for a temp to be so nosey. ‘Why, are you prejudiced or something?’

‘Oh no,’ she blushed, ‘it’s just the accent, it reminds me of when I was on holiday in Spain. Yours just comes out now and again, doesn’t it?’

Not answering her, Alex walked behind the bar and started serving customers. The people that were staying behind for lunch had also come early to have a drink before their dinner.

When the last customer finally left, everyone pushed tables together to enjoy their own Christmas lunch. The chef had left it as a carvery so that everyone could help themselves to whatever vegetables and extras they wanted. The tables were overflowing, and spirits were high as more drinks were poured. Alex had to admit, he was thoroughly enjoying himself. It felt good to be surrounded by neighbours and friends.

Presents were handed around and then they all sat back groaning and loosening their belts. They had eaten and drank more than their fill. The pub looked like a bombsite. Christmas paper, streamers and the remains of pulled crackers were everywhere, not to mention the mountain of plates overflowing with gravy.

‘We had better get cleared away,’ groaned Maggie. ‘Oh my God, I don’t think I can move.’

Mark burst out laughing. ‘I wouldn’t move that quickly; most of the people that are coming in here tonight are already here. Come on you lot, you’ve had your fun, now it’s clean-up time. Get some bin liners Maggie.’

Alex nodded. ‘To be fair Maggie, he does have a point. Just unbolt the door and we’ll clean as we go.’ With the army of people offering, the place was tidy within an hour. No one had come through the door and so Maggie decided to let Phyllis and Pauline go home. ‘Go on then, before I change my mind. You have both earned it.’ Waving them off, she turned to Alex. ‘All in all, I’d say it’s been a good Christmas, wouldn’t you?’

‘Much better than expected. Come on, let’s have a drink with the others. No one else seems to be coming in.’

No sooner had Alex opened his mouth and stood at the bar with a very loud, drunk Mark and his pals, than Father Christmas walked through the door.

‘You’re bloody late!’ shouted Mark, nudging his friends, and spilling lager on the carpet.

Alex’s suspicions rose, and he felt a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach. This Father Christmas, in his long red coat with a hood firmly over his head almost covering his face, bothered him. Holding a bag over his shoulder, he stood at the bar. ‘Orange juice please,’ he asked, while ignoring Mark’s witty remarks.

Alex rushed behind the bar, stopping Maggie from serving, and poured the customer a drink. ‘You go and take the weight off your feet love, you’ve earned it.’

The customer turned his back towards the others, and, facing Alex, reached up and pulled his hood back slightly.

Alex’s eyes widened with shock – it was Luke!

‘Meet me in the beer garden.’ Luke gulped back his drink, waved to Mark and his crowd who were shouting to him and laughing, and left by the front doors.

Alex sidled up to Maggie. ‘Just popping out for a quick cigarette love.’ Without waiting for an answer, he walked out the back to the garden. He spotted Luke sat on one of the garden benches.

‘What the hell are you doing here?’ he whispered angrily.

‘Disguised as Father Christmas and bringing your gift,’ Luke answered and held out the bag he was holding.

Alex stood there confused, staring at the bag. ‘What is it?’

Luke proffered the bag towards him again and put it on the ground. Alex knelt down. Curiosity had got the better of him, but he was cautious. Unzipping it slowly, he looked up at Luke who seemed to be smiling.

Blinking hard to take in what he was looking at, he looked up at Luke again. ‘Money?’

‘To be more accurate Alex, your money. Your share for now…’ Luke stood looking very pleased with himself. ‘Great disguise this outfit. There must be a million Santas out there; no one is going to take any notice of one more.’

‘My share? What are you talking about Luke? I never expected to see you again.’

Still on his haunches, Alex looked from the bag to Luke again. He could see there was a few thousand pounds in there.

‘That is what me and my gardener have made in three weeks. There is eight grand in there. It’s your share.’ Luke looked almost proud of himself.

‘You’ve made eight thousand pounds out of those plants?’

‘No Alex, I’ve made twenty grand out of a few of those plants. I had to pay the gardener and the drivers who drop it off, but the rest is ours. It’s Christmas and people want to be as high as a kite as they party. Supply and demand. We’ve been rushed off our feet.’

Stunned, Alex stared at him. ‘You have made twenty grand in three weeks on weed?’

‘Yeah. Like I said, I’m a businessman. I see an opportunity and take it. I’ve also got a nice sideline too if you are interested in that?’

‘Thanks for the offer, but I’m not in any position to get involved. It’s good of you Luke, but thanks but no thanks.’ About to walk away, Alex stopped and turned back to face Luke. ‘What’s the sideline?’

A big grin crossed Lukes’s face. ‘I knew you’d be interested. My sideline is this… I know a couple of old dears and they get all kinds of pills and painkillers. They use half and sell the rest on to me. I’ve got one old lady, she’s been on a cruise. She knows she hasn’t got long left and wants to enjoy her life while she can. Cruises have doctors on board and food and she enjoys the company and sunshine. Better than wallowing at home. To be fair Alex, I think she’s going to live longer than us with all that vitamin D.’ Luke laughed.

Shocked, Alex just stared at him open mouthed. ‘You’re selling prescription pills?’

‘Yes, so what? They get a fair price and they’re happy. I’m happy, my customers are happy and everyone’s a winner.’ Luke shrugged.

Alex couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

‘When they do eventually die, there is always someone else to take their place. Families are left with cupboards full of pills and they sell them to me.’

Lukes’s nonchalance surprised Alex. He couldn’t believe his ears. ‘Look, I’ve got a pub full of people pleased with their bubble bath or bike from Santa and now he turns up with eight grand in a bag for me. I must have done more than just sit on his knee. Christ, I must have given him a blow job!’

‘You saved my life, Alex. I wouldn’t have made any of it without you. I don’t know why, but you saved me and dropped me off safely at my house no questions asked. I doubt you ever thought you’d see me again. But whether you like it or not, this is yours. Take it.’

Ideas swum around Alex’s brain. If he and his family had to flee in the night, what would they live on? Where would they go? Maggie was happy with the pub. The police were happy, hoping to get the result in court, to put Paul Pereira behind bars. But what did he get out of it? He had nothing, apart from his freedom and even then, he had been told he might still have to do a few years behind bars. He wanted his family to be financially secure in his absence and fate had lent a hand and Father Christmas had stepped in. Why shouldn’t he take it? This was cold hard, untraceable cash. It could never be deposited into a bank, but it would be on hand if ever he needed it in a hurry.

‘I can’t really leave the pub for periods at a time Luke, so I’d be no good as a partner. I couldn’t help you.’

‘Why can’t you leave?’ Luke asked curiously.