Page 36 of It Always Snows on Mistletoe Square
‘Mr Dickens!’ Carola cries, looking horrified. ‘How … how did you get in?’
‘Your charming housekeeper let me in – although she said she was the cook,’ he says, winking at Carola. ‘Do not admonish her. I insisted we come through when she asked us to wait.’
‘He did.’ A small young woman with loose blonde tendrils framing her face enters the room behind him. ‘And as you know Charles can be very persuasive.’
‘I like to call it charming, my dear Catherine,’ the man says, smiling at her. ‘Now, dear Mrs Snow, how are you keeping?’ He goes over and kisses Carola’s hand. ‘I do hope we’ve not arrived early? But we did wait until we heard the church clock strike seven outside.’
‘No way … ’ I hear Ben gasp as all this is going on. Ben, myself, and the two children all stare at this energetic, cheerful-looking man, who has completely taken over the room with his enigmatic presence. ‘That can’t betheCharles Dickens, can it?’
‘Charles, Catherine,’ Robin says, popping Timothy and Belle down on his chair while he stands up to greet his guests. ‘How good you could both come.’ Robin pulls his pocket watch from his waistcoat. ‘It seems our mantel clock has not been wound properly. It is running late by a quarter of the hour.’
Carola looks with annoyance at the clock. ‘Nanny, would you take the children back up to the nursery now our guests are here.’
‘Certainly not!’ Charles says with a flourish of his hand. ‘I will not be the cause of the young man going to bed upset. I heard what your father said to you, and he is quite right. We who are in a privileged position such as this must help those that are less fortunate than ourselves. But what I did not hear, and I would very much like to if your parents agree, is what you did to deserve such praise?’
Robin helps Timothy to his feet, and Timothy recounts somewhat shyly what had happened with the boy. The ladies, with Carola looking quite horrified that this is taking place, and Catherine looking quite enchanted by Timothy, sit on an elegant, gold silk double-ended chaise lounge while the men both stand.
‘I will say it again,’ Charles says when Timothy has finished his tale. ‘Bravo, young sir. If only everyone cared as much for our poor and needy, this country would be a better place. I wish I could do something for you in return for your kindness.’
‘Can you tell us a bedtime story?’ Belle pipes up. ‘Nanny Avery says you write really good storybooks.’
Nanny Avery, who has been standing quietly in the corner of the room while all this takes place, flushes a shade of red to match the decorations on the Christmas tree.
‘Belle!’ Carola snaps. ‘Don’t be rude. Mr Dickens is our dinner guest. He is not here to tell you bedtime stories.’
‘Please.’ Charles holds up his hand. ‘It would be my pleasure. Children are our future; they need to ask many, many questions, so they can grow into the good, brave citizens of the future. I wish I was clever enough that I could make stories up on the spot,’ he says, kneeling down next to Belle. ‘But I’m not quite that good, as your father will tell you. Otherwise my publishers might pay me a little more.’
He raises his eyebrows at Robin, who simply smiles back. ‘Write another bestseller, and maybe we might.’
‘What do you think I should write about next?’ Charles asks Belle.
‘Ooh … ’ Belle says, thinking hard. Her gaze falls on the Christmas tree. ‘Christmas!’ she shouts excitedly. ‘Write a story about Christmas, Mr Dickens.’
‘Christmas … ’ Charles says, pondering this. ‘That would certainly be different. What else should I put in this story? What do you think, young Master Timothy?’
Timothy thinks carefully. ‘Something that helps the poor people,’ he says quietly. ‘There are too many mean rich people out there. Why can’t we share all our money so no one has to be cold or hungry, especially at Christmas.’
Charles nods. ‘I will do my very best, young sir, and I shall call one of the characters after you, Master Timothy, and also you, Miss Belle. Would you like that?’
Belle claps her hands with glee, and Timothy nods solemnly. ‘You promise?’
‘I promise,’ Charles says formally shaking Timothy’s hand.
‘Why don’t you call one of them Ebenezer too?’ Ben jokes.
‘Ebenezer,’ Belle repeats as though she heard him. ‘That is a funny name.’
While Ben stares at Belle in astonishment, Charles Dickens looks up into the air. ‘Ebenezer … ’ he says, considering this. ‘Yes … yes, I like it. Ebenezer, it shall be.’
‘And on that note, I think it’s time for us to leave,’ Estelle announces.
Ten
Bloomsbury,London
20 December 2018
Estelle once more takes her seat by the fire in the more familiar surroundings of her 2018 sitting room. She pats her lap and Alvie jumps up on to it. But while Angela and I join her by the fire, Ben still paces agitatedly around the room.
