The Christmas Cat
Since the children have grown up and left home, Christmas is not such a big deal in our house. Even when the children were bringing some excitement into Christmas Day, our presents to each other would be insignificant: the latest blockbuster novel for me, and an inconsequential piece of jewellery for my wife. Now that we’re on our own, we’ve stopped buying presents for each other and the usual highlight of the day is watching a DVD of Love Actually. Sometimes, I feel a little guilty that I don’t make more of an effort but the feeling passes and I go back to how it was before: waiting for my wife to take the lead and tell me what’s expected of me at this significant part of the year. Last year, when we were all feeling in need of a lift, I surprised her by asking what she would like me to get her for Christmas. Her reply shocked me; she said, “I would like you to get me a cat.” I’m sure my mouth fell open. ...