The empty place at our Christmas table

The turkey is on the table, the sprouts are glistening and everyone’s ready to take their places. Nicol’s mum and dad, her sister, husband and son and Nicol’s son Adam are all there. Only there’s an empty setting on the table with colourful cracker. No one will be sitting there today, never will again. But the setting will always be there.

Christmas 07 was so different. Eleven year old Channon couldn’t sit still she was so excited. She spent the morning with mum Nicol and her family, opening presents and having lunch. Then it was off to see her stepdad Terry and his family.
Nicol and Terry had split up only a few months before. They still loved each other but it just wasn’t working. Channon wasn’t Terry’s daughter but he’d raised her as her own alongside their son Adam. They still got along, were talking about a reconciliation.
Then on 22nd August 2008 Nicol got a call. Channon had been staying at Terry’s.

Terry & Channon

“Can I go on his motorbike, can I, can I? Please!!! Please!!!” it was unrelenting. She’d ridden pillion once before and loved it. Nicol knew Terry was a careful rider and finally said yes.

So Channon popped back to change, was so excited, sliding around the floor in her socks getting changed. They both shouted love you, love you as she dashed out the door.
Nicol carried on as normal, helped Adam with his pushbike, when as they worked a pure white feather floated down and landed in front of her. She picked it up, took it as a sign her guardian angel was watching over her.
Hours later two police officers called. Terry and Channon were dead. A 72-year-old woman had performed a dangerous U-turn on a fast A-road. Terry and Channon hadn’t stood a chance.
Four days later Nicol finally identified their bodies. At least they were together.

Ann Larke

Last spring Ann Larke pleaded guilty to causing their deaths by dangerous driving. She was sentenced to two years imprisonment but appealed against her sentence and only served a few weeks.
Channon wanted to be a vet, work with animals. Nicol keeps in touch with her daughters friends on Facebook, watches them grow up, have boyfriends and plan their future.
Nothing can bring Channon or Terry back, but Nicol keeps going for her son.
So this Christmas, like last year, she’ll meet her parents and Terry’s parents at the grave where Terry and Channon are buried together to light candles and leave their presents – Channon couldn’t bear to be left out!
Nicol, who’s 33, said: “Our Christmas now is about remembering the happy times and those we have loved and lost. Channon may not be there with us in person to raise a Christmas toast but her spirit will always be with us.”