As the credits rolled over the images of the pretty young actress arriving at Sidney’s, stripping off, getting prepped in the kitchen and finally served to the rest of the cast just as Samantha had been, Laura happened to glance towards the window where the minimal light from inside happened to illuminate a flurry of large, white flakes.

“Did you put your machine back on?” she asked Josh quietly.

“No,” Josh shook his head, looking a little puzzled, “I suppose a squirrel could have jumped on the button or…” Apologetically, he slipped Amelia down off his lap and Laura did the same with Rob then all four went to the window for a closer look.

“Oh wow!” Amelia grinned. “It’s real snow!” Hearing this, the other children rushed to the window too, closely followed by the adults, proving that, in countries where it remains a relatively rare novelty at least, there is something magical about snow that nobody ever really grows out of! There was no denying that the white powder settling on the grass outside was incredibly pretty but then Laura’s sensible, grown-up instincts took over and she realised a potential problem.

“It’s coming down thick and fast.” She turned to address the rest of the group. “I really don’t want to cut things short and you know there’s plenty more food and more fun to be had but those of you who weren’t planning on sleeping over tonight had probably better think about getting going now before you get stuck! This sensible observation produced a flurry of discussion among the adults. Gram and Gramps had been on board with the sleepover from its first mention, as had Martin and Clive with their two as well as Miranda, Caroline and Ella but Grandma and Grandpa, Aaron and Rachel and Julie and Mike had all been planning to go home once the party was over.

“We really should head off.” Julie observed, a little sadly. “I need to get Rosie to bed, I was going to ask if there was somewhere she could nap for a little bit anyway. And George of course. I’m sorry, honey,” she smiled apologetically at Nadine, “can you find your clothes and get ready to go?”

“But I want to stay!” Nadine pouted, in stark contrast to her initial terror at the invitation. “I want to eat more Samantha and play with my friends in the snow!” Her parents looked at each other for a moment, having one of those unspoken conversations conducted entirely through the eyes that some couples seem so good at. It did break their hearts to pull Nadine away early from a party she was enjoying so much and neither wanted a scene but equally, they did have to get the younger children home and wanted to do so safely, something that would likely not be possible in another two to three hours.

“I could stay with Nadine.” Mike offered. “If that’s okay with you? You take the car and get the others home. I’m sure Laura has some spare sleeping bags and things?” He looked at his sister in law who nodded in confirmation. Most people had brought their own inflatable mattresses, sleeping bags and other camping kit with them making the supplies she and Josh had bought in the camping store extra, to be used by anyone who needed them.

“But we didn’t bring pyjamas.” Julie frowned a little and Laura could see Mike try not to laugh. Given that the normally shy and conservative little girl had taken off all her clothes the minute she was allowed to, it seemed very unlikely that pyjamas, or lack thereof, were going to be an issue. Wanting to keep things smooth and her rather uptight sister in law relaxed, however, she stepped in.

“Don’t worry.” Laura smiled. “As you can imagine, it was all a bit hectic this morning so when my lot got dressed, I just gathered up all the pyjamas and shoved them in a bag,” she explained truthfully, “and it didn’t occur to me in that moment that Sammie wouldn’t be needing hers so we have a spare pair. Nice, cosy ones too.” she smiled at Nadine. “They may be slightly too big but I’m sure we can manage.”

“I can always take the trousers in a little if they need it.” Gram offered gamely. “I always keep an emergency sewing kit in the car.” This seemed to satisfy Julie but then another thought occurred to her.

“But how will you get home tomorrow?” she asked. “If I’ve got the car? I suppose we could come pick you up but…”

“Oh don’t worry about that!” Gram came to the rescue once more with a dismissive wave of her hand. “We’re not far from you. We can drop you home, no bother at all!” And so it was settled! Grandma and Grandpa were the first to set off, with Julie, George and cute little Rosie close behind.

“We should probably make a move too.” Aaron observed once the family members were done with their goodbyes.

“Can’t Rachel stay?” Willow asked, stepping forward and grabbing her new friend’s hand rather possessively. “Please?”

“I would quite like to stay if you don’t mind?” The teen smiled at her dad, not quite fluttering her eyelashes but coming close. “You can go, I’m sure someone will be able to give me a lift?” Miranda and Clive both confirmed that they would be able to if needed.

“Of course, if you want.” Aaron smiled indulgently. “But you haven’t got any of your things with you either?”

“Silly Daddy!” Rachel teased. “I’ve got all my things, remember? You picked me up from Mum’s and we came straight here? My case is in the back of your car!” Aaron slapped his own forehead, amused at himself for having forgotten this. “Can I borrow a carrier bag or something?” she turned to Laura. “So I don’t have to bring my whole case in?” Laura gave her the bag that the towels had been in and Aaron said his goodbyes before they headed out to the car park together and Rachel returned on her own a few minutes later with her silky Christmas pyjamas, some toiletries and some clean underwear in the bag.

“I’m so happy you’re staying!” Willow hugged her. “Now we can have lots more fun!” There was a general feeling among the guests, especially the children, including Amanda and Rob who were really starting to get the measure of their new family, that those who would be staying the night were the fun ones! It wasn’t that Grandma and Grandpa or Auntie Julie weren’t nice but they weren’t fun, not like Gram and Gramps or the uncles!

In the time it had taken for those who were leaving to get packed up and go, the snow on the grass had already settled at least six inches deep and was showing no signs of letting up. Laura was very relieved that she had spotted it when she did, otherwise everyone would likely have been stuck there for the night whether they wanted or not and that could have put a bit of a strain on the party atmosphere.

“You know,” Josh grinned at the remaining guests, looking back and forth between them and the scene outside the window, “I think there’s only one thing this calls for! SNOW BALL FIGHT!” The children cheered, as did Gram and Gramps, never ones to back down from such a challenge. “Two minutes to put your shoes on, then everyone outside!”

The following two minutes were a blur of activity as the girls who were not wearing Sidney boots ran around looking for their shoes and in some cases asked the adults to help them put them on. Rather than sending them out to play in their nice party shoes, Miranda went out to the car and fetched her girls’ wellies that were in the boot. Thinking this was a very good idea, Laura fetched Samantha’s for Nadine. They were definitely on the big side but preferable to having her run around barefoot in the freezing snow or facing the wrath of her mother when her expensive patent leather shoes got ruined! Willow beckoned for Rachel to lean down and whispered in her ear. The teen giggled, shrugged and very soon she was as naked as the younger girls. Deciding they may as well join in as they had earlier, the boys stripped off too and soon the snowy yard of the hall was filled with naked, pink, giggling children flinging snowballs at each other and the playful adults who joined them, although they all opted to keep their clothes on!

“Bullseye!” Josh roared in triumph as he scored a direct hit on Amelia’s bare rump, followed seconds later by one on Amanda’s. From that moment on, this seemed to become the goal of the game for everyone with each other’s backsides becoming the primary target!

“Hey!” Amelia shouted and Josh turned to find her and Amanda stood rather menacingly just behind him. They launched their snowballs at him at point-blank range, hitting him in the chest, then, while he was disoriented, launched themselves forward, knocking him over and pinning him down, both giggling wildly as the did so. Amanda knelt behind his head, pushing his shoulders down while Amelia straddled him and gleefully shoved handfuls of snow down the front of his shirt.

“Revenge is sweet!” she declared, high-fiving Amanda who got up and ran off to continue playing. “But oh dear! Your shirt is all wet now!” She tutted and shook her head. “Let’s go to the kitchen and I can help you get dried off!” She leaned down, her face close to his, and whispered huskily. “Remember what you owe me!”


To be continued...