Page 80 of It Always Snows on Mistletoe Square
‘By this time in the late seventies,’ Estelle continues, ‘I didn’t have that many tenants in the house. As they’d moved out I hadn’t replaced them. Angela and I were both earning a fair wage and it didn’t seem necessary to have strangers in the house then. We still rented out Holly House, but we both felt we could use it for something much better than a solicitor’s office. No offence, Ben.’
‘None taken,’ Ben says amiably. ‘So what did you do?’
Estelle nods for Angela to continue the story.
‘We started a charity to help expectant mothers who were about to give birth, but didn’t have anywhere to go after the baby was born. Perhaps they were homeless for whatever reason, or in an abusive relationship. Even though this was twenty plus years later, sadly there were still a lot of young girls who, like me, had been given an ultimatum by their parents when they got pregnant, but unlike me had refused to give up their baby.’
‘Because of the complex issues of young mothers giving birth without their parents’ knowledge,’ Estelle explains, ‘or children being born without a father there, or named on the birth certificate, we needed legal help, and that’s where Christian came into his own. He gave all his services for free, and, not only that, he utilised all his wealthy contacts to help raise funds for the charity.’
‘That is amazing,’ I say, looking with wonder at them both. ‘You are both amazing. What a wonderful thing to do. Especially after what happened to Celeste’s grandchild all those years ago. What a fabulous full circle.’
Estelle looks at me with so much pride, she looks like she might burst. ‘I’m so very happy you noticed that, Elle,’ she says with so much emotion in her voice I think for a moment she might cry. ‘I always knew you would.’
‘Remind me, who is Celeste?’ Ben asks.
‘Celeste was the wife of Joseph Christmas who built the square,’ I explain. ‘She was one of the first people to live in this house back in 1755. I told you, remember?’
‘The one who was forced to give up her grandchild to a children’s home?’
‘A foundling hospital,’ Estelle corrects. ‘But, yes. That was her.’
‘How long did you run your charity for?’ Ben asks.
‘Until we got too old to cope,’ Angela answers.
‘Until I got too old, you mean,’ Estelle says.
‘We were both getting on when we decided we couldn’t do it any more,’ Angela says diplomatically. ‘It was around 1998, wasn’t it?’
Estelle nods. ‘I was seventy-nine, and you were sixty-two. By then there were a lot more laws in place to help unmarried mothers, so we were more of a women’s refuge. As each woman moved on from us, we didn’t take in any more, until eventually the house was empty, and it’s stood empty ever since, until you moved in, Ben.’
‘Then I’m truly honoured you opened it up again for me,’ Ben says.
‘The honour has been all ours, Ben,’ Estelle says. ‘Both Angela and I have enjoyed getting to know you both. Haven’t we, Angela?’
‘Yes,’ Angela says, sounding quite emotional. ‘It’s more than I ever dreamed it could be.’
Ben and I glance at Angela.
‘What you both did is still pretty amazing,’ I say, not really knowing how to respond to her slightly odd statement. ‘I’m in awe of you doing something so worthwhile.’
‘Thank you, dear,’ Estelle says wearily. ‘You really are too kind.’
‘I think it’s time to get you ready for bed,’ Angela says, standing up and moving across to Estelle’s chair to help her up. ‘It’s been an emotional and exhausting trip down memory lane tonight – for all of us.’
‘It has indeed,’ Estelle agrees.
‘Is that it, then?’ I ask as Angela helps Estelle up. ‘Is that all of the house’s stories now that we’ve reached the two of you?’
‘Oh, no, dear,’ Estelle says, looking down at me. ‘Tomorrow night is Christmas Eve, the most magical night of all. When the moon shines through the window tomorrow, I will be telling you both the most important stories of all.’
Twenty-One
Bloomsbury,London
24 December 2018
Christmas Eve
