Page 144 of A Christmas Celebration
Brodie threw me a squishy, soft parcel, while he grabbed more bags of presents.
‘What do you think that is?’ he asked, rolling his eyes.
The second he was handed it, Angus tore into the present and was pulling the jumper over his head.
‘I think this calls for a selfie,’ he demanded, standing proudly between Albert and Brodie in the kitchen. ‘Or should that be Elfie?’ he added, laughing at his own joke.
‘And we’ll have to take another when Jack arrives,’ said Brodie, ‘because Albert insisted on getting one for him too.’
What a quartet!
‘Oh, Albert,’ I laughed.
‘I’m making the most of today.’ He smiled. ‘It’s been a while since I’ve enjoyed Christmas.’
‘Me too,’ I told him, giving him a tight hug. ‘Me too.’
With the baby news shared again and introductions to my parents made, I didn’t think the day could possibly get any better. Everyone was dreamily milling about the beautifully decorated hall and we all looked as though we had been entranced by the twinkling fairy lights, softly scented candles and brightly shining baubles.
It genuinely felt as though some spell had been cast over every minute that ticked by and every word that was uttered. I’d never experienced an occasion like it and I knew I’d certainly picked a good year to spend Christmas at Wynthorpe Hall. Although, if Molly had been privy to that thought, she probably would have said that it had picked me.
‘You look so happy,’ said Brodie, taking a moment to pull me into the empty main hall and lingeringly kiss me under a fortuitously placed bunch of mistletoe.
‘That’s because I am,’ I told him. ‘I came here just a few weeks ago in such a muddle and feeling sadder and lonelier than I could have ever thought possible and now I’m… blissful.’ I beamed up at him.
‘And so you should be,’ he said, softly brushing his lips against mine again. ‘Look at all the wonderful things you’ve done since you got here.’
‘It’s been a joint effort,’ I told him. ‘So many people have been pulling together to make so many others so happy, that it’s quite taken my breath away.’
‘Um,’ said Brodie, ‘and there was me thinking that I was the person who had done that.’
‘Oh, you have,’ I told him. ‘But in a rather different way.’
‘Is that canoodling I can hear going on?’ came Albert’s amused voice from the other side of the door.
‘It is, Albert,’ Brodie called back.
‘Jolly good,’ he laughed. ‘Carry on.’
‘Happy to oblige,’ Brodie responded.
‘No,’ I said, giggling and pulling away, ‘we mustn’t. Comeon, otherwise we’ll be late for Dorothy’s legendary Christmas dinner. And Jack and Tilly will be here any minute.’
There were twenty-two of us seated for dinner that afternoon. Twenty-four if you counted the babies, twenty-seven if you included the dogs and yet, in the spirit of Connelly clan togetherness, the gathering still somehow felt like an intimate one.
Between the three courses Dorothy served, ably assisted by Kathleen, we all switched places to ensure there was every opportunity to chat and by the time the flaming pudding had been served I was delighted to find myself seated between Albert and Brodie with Mum and Dad and Molly opposite.
‘So, Paige,’ Angus called down the table. ‘What’s the plan? Have you made any decisions about what you’re going to do next?’
I looked first at Albert and then at Brodie.
‘I have,’ I said, turning my attention back to Angus. ‘Obviously I can’t leave Wynbridge because there’s no telling what this pair will get up to if they’re left to their own devices.’
Everyone cheered at that.
‘Very true.’ Angus beamed, smoothing down his jumper.
‘And then of course, there’s you to keep an eye on too, my dear godfather.’
