CHRISTMAS Secrets

THE STORY SO FAR: Christmas is just around the corner, but Maggie’s dreams for the perfect family day are spoilt when she becomes convinced that her husband John is having an affair. He’s been secretive and preoccupied, changed his mobile passcode and she’s discovered a woman’s address on a note in his pocket. Then, when he’s ‘working late’, she sees him with a young blonde and her suspicions are confirmed. Unwilling to confront John and ruin Christmas for her dad and sons Andy and Tom, Maggie is determined to make this the best Christmas ever. She’s succeeding, but then, on Christmas Eve, she sees the woman watching their house and Maggie chases her away.

Maggie stood rooted to the spot, staring down the street after the woman who was still hurrying away. Well, that was it. Crystal, her husband’s girlfriend, was gone – for now. Her family could at least enjoy Christmas in peace without any big revelations.

But as Maggie walked back through the front door, she was taken aback to be met by John in the hallway.

‘Why on earth did you rush out like that?’ he asked.

‘I thought I saw someone I knew,’ Maggie said, turning to shut the door. But Andy was cycling down the path, ringing his bell loudly.

‘Whoa, Mum,’ he cried. ‘You were like a raging tiger the way you saw off that woman. What had she done to you, anyway?’

Maggie’s heart