All characters are over the age of 18. The characters and events present are created from my own overactive imagination and any resemblance to anyone is accidental. This is a standalone story but does feature the characters from my story "Sister's at Christmas".
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The figure in the driveway winced after loudly slamming their car door. It was a reflex, something they had been too tired to think about. Working at a bookshop was a good job but the holidays were busy and that was the reason for the shivering figure's return late on Christmas Eve. People loved to buy books for their loved ones at Christmas and someone had to sell them.
Indeed, Holly had already purchased some books for her family using her staff discount. She hoped that her little sister wouldn't take offense to the buying of a cook book for her. The youngest daughter of the Dale family was gaining a great love for cooking but her variety could be improved.
Holly wasn't too worried about her gifts to her little sister. The secret ones she planned to give towards the end of Christmas Day would be more than enough. Ivy was quite easy to buy for, Holly thought fondly, clutching the Victoria's Secret bag close to her work rucksack. She was not expecting to be intercepted by her parents but it was good to be careful.
Holly had managed to wrap the gifts in the break room while at work. Although she was worried someone would interrupt her, she had timed her break carefully. The other workers would not be able to slip away from their stations during this busy period.
She had been late purchasing these most secret gifts only because they had taken time to arrive at the store for Holly to collect. Holly locked her car and trudged through the snow towards the Dale family's front door. It didn't matter if it was later than she had planned. She had everything now and just needed to give it all over to her sister tomorrow.
The house was dark as she unlocked and opened the door. She closed it with as much secrecy and silence as she could.
Bending over to place her bags down and undo her thick, fluffy boots, Holly was grateful that the house was still warm. The heating seemed to have been turned off only recently.
The young woman gracefully pulled her boots and coat off and set them inside the downstairs bathroom, the light dusting on snow on them would do no harm in there and could be dried and cleaned when noise was permissible.
With bags clutched to her chest to prevent any rattling, the tartan-dress and reindeer-ear clad Holly ascended the stairs. With gentle footsteps she passed her parents' bedroom, her father's study and the turned the corner to pass the bathroom. Finally, she arrived at her and her sister's bedroom. They'd always enjoyed being the furthest room from their parents and as they grew older, the utility of that separation had only increased.
Pushing open the door, Holly immediately knew something was off.