The Christkindlesmarkt
UPLIFTING SHORT STORY BY BETH MCKAY
Friendship, festivities and the bright lights of Bavaria might be all the inspiration Laura needed…
Laura felt a flutter of butterflies in her stomach as she glanced down at the city lights shining in the winter darkness below.
She always enjoyed take-off and landing. The detail of the busy streets and buildings came into sharp relief just moments before she felt the bump of the aeroplane’s wheels hitting the ground. Laura was thrilled to be back in Bavaria at Christmas.
Sabrina, her old university friend, was waving a welcome sign when Laura emerged from Arrivals with her suitcase.It was an old joke that had persisted for many visits between their two countries.
The signs had developed from swift biro name scrawls to more elaborate works of art as the years went on. Laura treasured some of the ones Sabrina had made. Her friend was a graphic designer with her own company now, and Laura had never doubted her talent.
“So good to see you,” Sabrina exclaimed, folding Laura into an exuberant embrace.
“Don’t forget me!”
Lukas, her seven-year-old godson, tugged on Laura’s coat. He shrieked with delight when she scooped him up into a bear hug.
“What about Nina?” Laura enquired, as she placed Lukas back onto his feet.
“She’s already in bed,” Lukas replied proudly. “Mummy said only I was big enough to come to the airport at this time of night.”
“Quite right, too,” Laura replied, taking his hand in hers as Sabrina seized the handle of her suitcase.
You and I can admire the Christmas lights together while your mum drives us home.
The gabled houses and shop fronts looked beautiful as they skirted the old part of the city and crossed the bridge over the river Pegnitz. However, it was the Christmas market which had enticed Laura to Germany in early December.
The Christkindlesmarkt was one of the oldest and most famous of its kind in the world. Its grand opening had taken place the week before with the market’s namesake: the symbolic, angel-like figure of a young woman in white and gold, spreading her wings in the church gallery above the main square.
Laura could not wait to visit. She was looking for inspiration for selling her own artwork back in the UK.
At Sabrina’s, a delicious supper and a cosy guest room awaited her. A proper catch-up chat with her friend over hot chocolate kept them both up long after Lukas and Frank, Sabrina’s partner, had gone to bed.
Laura was asleep the moment her head touched the pillow.
She awoke to find an atmospheric dusting of snow on the red rooftops.
Sabrina had some business emails to deal with from home, so Laura spent the morning helping Frank and the children bake Christmas biscuits.
The vanilla and almond crescents were a particular favourite of hers. She found rolling out dough with Nina and Lukas quite therapeutic after her hectic week at work.
Finally, it was time to head to the market. The city centre was packed, but Sabrina knew plenty of shortcuts to help them dart in and out to the stalls that interested Laura the most. Laura was struck by how many of the gifts on offer were hand-crafted and highly original. She chose a tiny copper angel and some pretty straw stars. She was building up quite a collection for her Christmas tree back home.
Sabrina led them through the throng to her favourite jewellery stall, where Laura purchased an exquisite necklace for her sister. There were more gifts on display: gilded nutcracker figures and glorious paper lanterns, gingerbread hearts and beautiful, rotating nativity scenes, propelled by lit candles.
They watched artists at work in the craft quarter beside the old city walls and met Frank with Nina and Lukas at the traditional children’s market on its wooden carousels. There was even a child-friendly Christmas punch to rival the cinnamon-scented mulled wine.
As darkness fell, Sabrina suggested a break for coffee and cake. It was a chance to rest their weary feet and admire the hundreds of lights, flickering into life like fireflies, across the market.
“It’s not my work that needs inspiration,” Laura confided in Sabrina.
“I know that the pieces I create are delicate and unique. I just need more ideas for Christmas displays.
The stall holders here are so talented at creating a special atmosphere. I’m hoping to try my luck at some of our markets back home.
“A toast to your success!” Sabrina raised a glass of Prosecco, which she had ordered secretly while Laura was gazing out over the square.
“You’ll never beat the authentic German experience,” she teased, “but I suspect you could get pretty close!”
Laura smiled as they clinked glasses, their bubbles sparkling in the candlelight.
She was certainly going to try.
