Page 82 of It Always Snows on Mistletoe Square
‘Fab, thanks. How are you? You both looked pretty cheery yourselves just now when I came into the room.’ She raises her eyebrows suggestively at us as she pours us both a cup of tea.
‘We are feeling pretty buoyant today.’ I glance at Ben. ‘It’s both our birthdays as well as Christmas Eve.’
‘So it is,’ Angela says, not looking in the least surprised. ‘Many happy returns of the day to you both. What are you planning on doing today?’
‘I’m not sure.’ I look at Ben. ‘We haven’t really planned anything, have we?’
‘Well, you might not have … ’ Ben says mysteriously. ‘But I might have a few ideas of how we can celebrate.’
‘You really are making me look very bad today,’ I say, pretending to be cross. ‘First the gifts and now you have plans too?’
‘Your plans do involve you being back here this evening, don’t they?’ Angela asks. ‘Estelle is quite excited about telling you the last stories in this house’s long and varied history.’
‘Of course,’ Ben says. ‘We wouldn’t miss it for the world.’
‘Good, you know how important Christmas is to Estelle.’
‘We do. Now you really must tell us if you need any help today,’ I say as Angela lifts her empty tray.
‘Help with what?’ Angela asks with a puzzled expression.
‘With Christmas? You must have lots to do today preparing everything for tomorrow.’ Angela looks so mystified that I wonder for a moment if I’ve got it all wrong. Maybe there isn’t going to be a big dinner with all the trimmings, presents in front of the fire and carols in the evening liked I hoped.
‘Ah!’ Angela says, grinning. ‘Got ya! Yes, of course I have lots to do. But it’s all under control. Don’t you worry yourselves.’
‘But you can’t do everything,’ I protest. ‘At least let us help in some way.’
‘Just having you both here is enough for us. Estelle loves Christmas so much that to simply have someone to share it all with this year is everything we could ever need.’
‘If you’re sure?’
‘I am. Now, I’ve already got the fancy silver out ready for tomorrow. So you’re getting the full works this morning for breakfast.’ She lifts a white cloth on the sideboard to reveal several silver salvers with silver cloches on top, white bone-china plates, and silver salt and pepper pots and condiment dishes. ‘All polished by my own fair hand,’ Angela says proudly. ‘I’ve missed seeing them.’ She runs her hand lovingly over the polished silver of one of the cloches. ‘And since I’m not sure when or if I’ll see them again, today seemed the perfect time to bring them out in all their glory and let them shine for one last time.’
Angela turns quickly away from us, but not quickly enough so I don’t spot the tears in her eyes.
‘What is it, Angela?’ I ask, preparing to stand up and go over to her.
‘Nothing!’ Angela calls in an overly shrill voice. She hurries towards the door keeping her face turned away from us. ‘Enjoy your breakfast. I’m popping out for a while, so I’ll see you back here this evening. Have a lovely day!’ And she scuttles out of the door.
I sit back down in my chair. ‘What was all that?’ I ask, still looking at the door.
‘I have no idea,’ Ben says, sounding equally as mystified. ‘But I’ll tell you what I do know.’
‘What?’ I turn towards him.
‘The smell coming from under those dishes is amazing!’
‘Ben!’
‘What? Angela has obviously gone to a lot of trouble to prepare all this for us. It would be a real shame not to enjoy it.’
‘I suppose … I wonder if I should go after her, though?’
‘She said she was going out.’
‘I know, but she seemed so upset.’ I look at the silver cloches again. ‘They look old, don’t they?’ I stand up and go over to the sideboard. ‘I don’t know much about silver markings, but these look pretty ancient.’ I accidentally touch one of the cloches. ‘Ow! That’s hot!’ I jump back a little.
‘Have you burnt yourself?’ Ben jumps up and takes my hand.
