Page 40 of A Christmas Celebration
‘Of course,’ said Angus. ‘Come and see what’s in drawer number one.’
The calendar was a vast wooden creation, beautifully decorated and filled with different sized drawers and cubby holes. Santa must have had a team of body building elves to do his bidding because it looked like it weighed a tonne. I’d never seen anything like it.
‘Go on,’ Archie said. ‘Hurry up. Some of us have got beds to get back to.’
‘Not today,’ said Angus. ‘I’ve got a job for you to help me with, Archie.’
I gently pulled open the drawer with number one on it before Archie objected to his father’s announcement and found a soft, neatly wrapped parcel inside.
‘Oh, Angus,’ I smiled as I tore into the paper. ‘It’s lovely. Thank you!’
‘I think you mean, thank you, Santa,’ he grinned.
I quickly pulled the reindeer patterned bobble hat on to my head and everyone applauded.
‘Santa obviously remembers your fondness forHome Alone,’ Molly laughed.
‘He certainly does,’ I enthusiastically agreed.
The hat was almost identical to the one worn by Kevin McCallister and I loved it.
‘And he’d probably noticed you had a lovely scarf and gloves, but your hat has seen better days,’ Angus added and I rushed to give him a hug.
‘I’ll be extra toasty on my delivery round now,’ I told him. ‘Thank you, Santa.’
The excitement of opening the calendar had lifted my spirits, but I still wasn’t planning on being out in the Fens for any longer than necessary even if I was going to be warmer. The second my last delivery was made I’d be heading back to the hall, hunkering down and keeping out of further trouble.
‘Why don’t you come over to the cottage tonight, Paige?’suggested Molly. I knew she had been watching me closely as I admired my new hat. ‘Archie’s going out, so it’ll be just us girls.’
‘And Bran,’ added Dorothy. ‘You won’t be able to leave him todayandthis evening.’
I wasn’t sure I wanted to spend an evening alone with Molly. A lot had happened in the last twenty-four hours and she was bound to winkle at least a little of it out of me.
‘I’ll see you around seven,’ she said, before I could come up with an excuse.
‘And I’ll send you over with some supper,’ joined in Dorothy, the pair of them neatly putting the finishing touches on my evening.
When I arrived in town, Kathleen was full of festive bonhomie and the market square, almost ready for the switch-on, was looking even lovelier than before. Lots of the shops now had planted containers flanking their doorways and the lush red and green colour combination looked both seasonal and stylish.
‘Good news!’ Kathleen announced from her station behind the desk in the library as I walked in.
One of the other members of staff gave her a long-suffering look.
‘Good news,’ she said again, though more quietly. ‘Come with me into the staffroom. We won’t disturb anyone in there.’
Had she lowered her voice a little we wouldn’t have disturbed anyone anywhere.
‘It’s about Alice,’ she said, closing the door behind her. ‘Great hat by the way.’
‘Thanks,’ I said. ‘So, what’s going on?’
‘Well,’ she said, smiling, ‘the council have been in touch with her this morning, after my visit to their offices yesterday.’ I loved that she’d turned up in person. I’ll bet whoever’s office she ended up in, didn’t know what had hit them. ‘And they’re going to move her to town before Christmas.’
The sudden elation I felt almost lifted my sleigh of emotions into the air again.
‘That’s wonderful news,’ I said, thinking how excited and relieved Alice would no doubt be feeling. ‘It will be far better for her and the children.’
‘I know.’ Kathleen nodded. ‘They’re putting her in a flat, but it’s a ground floor one with a bit of private outdoor space. The garden is the size of a postage stamp but the children will still be able to get outside for some fresh air and it’s only a short walk into town so Alice will easily be able to come here with them, as well as do her shopping and socialize.’
