Page 92 of A Christmas Celebration
‘Of course not,’ he tutted, as if I should have known and when he turned his attention fully to me.
‘What’s she doing then?’
‘Asking for permission,’ he said seriously. ‘She always asksbefore we take. The ritual is an important part of the day and guarantees another good harvest next year.’
‘How’s Molly getting on?’ asked Angus, who miraculously reappeared now all opportunity of a conversation with just me was lost.
He looked every bit as surprised to find Kathleen in the kitchen as both Archie and I had.
‘Almost done, I should think,’ said Archie. ‘Any chance of a bit of breakfast before we get out there, Dorothy?’
‘Of course,’ she huffed. ‘Why do you think I’m standing here with a pan in my hand?’
While Dorothy filled us up, I mulled over the idea of checking in with Albert but then remembered he was supposed to be indulging in a late start. I hoped he didn’t harbour any regrets when he woke up and recalled what he had told Catherine, Angus and me.
‘So, we’ve cleared the air,’ Dorothy was saying when I tuned back in, ‘and discovered we have quite a lot in common. I’m going to help out with some of the classes.’
‘And start the catering,’ Kathleen, who I noticed had filled up on scrambled eggs, grilled tomatoes and mushrooms, added, ‘in the new year.’
‘Well, that is good news,’ said Catherine, sounding relieved. ‘I always thought the two of you would make fine friends if you could get over your little misunderstanding.’
‘Ready,’ said Molly, as she wafted in. She looked paler than usual, but sounded happy enough. ‘Let the gathering begin.’
Archie jumped up.
‘You need to eat something and make sure you’re grounded before you head back out,’ he masterfully said.
I was amazed she did as she was told and keenly tucked into the full English vegetarian option Dorothy had prepared for her. Clearly, asking the woods for permission was quite an undertaking. It had certainly given her an appetite.
‘Before we head out,’ said Angus, ‘let’s do the advent calendar. It’s your turn again today, Paige.’
‘Is it?’ I asked, surprised.
He nodded and beckoned me over.
‘I hope it’s a pair of gauntlets,’ I joked. ‘I’ve seen the holly already and some of it looks pretty vicious.’
It wasn’t any sort of protection from whatever Mother Nature had to share with us, but a beautiful red Moleskine lined notebook.
‘It’s lovely, Angus,’ I said, turning it over in my hands. ‘Thank you.’
‘You’re going to find it especially useful during the next couple of weeks,’ he said, with a twinkle in his eye.
‘Am I?’ I asked, looking more suspiciously at the book. ‘And why would that be?’
‘All in good time.’ He beamed. ‘I can’t say anything yet, but watch this space.’
‘It isn’t anything to do with the Winter Wonderland, is it?’ Catherine asked exasperatedly. ‘You did, promise, Angus…’
‘No, my dear,’ he said reassuringly. ‘I can say, hand on heart, that it’s absolutely nothing to do with the Winter Wonderland.’
‘That’s all right then,’ she said, sounding relieved, but I wasn’t much soothed.
‘Come on,’ Mick rallied us as he came in. ‘We best get organized. Folk are starting to arrive.’
In the absence of Jamie, Anna, Hayley and Gabe, Angus had asked a few locals who could spare the time to help out. I already knew that Brodie was going to be a part of the group, but when he turned up in Jack’s truck, I realized the old adage was wrong. Being forewarned actually offered no insurance of being forearmed at all.
‘Damn,’ I muttered as I surreptitiously watched him pull on a battered pair of safety boots and the equally worn wax coat.
