Page 127 of The Christmas Invitation
‘Haven’t checked my emails for a couple of days, or I might have known they were on the way,’ he admitted. ‘I can’t even remember what was in this lot.’
‘Can we open it now?’ demanded Teddy.
‘No, let’s tantalize ourselves and save it for tomorrow,’ he said. ‘Carry it carefully into my study and put it on the desk with the typewriter. That’s another antique: they can keep each other company overnight.’
‘You’re very silly, Uncle Henry,’ Teddy said severely.
‘I know, but I’m afraid I’ve left it too late to change now.’
Teddy carried off the box and Henry quickly whipped out another package from the post sack and stowed it in the hallstand cupboard. ‘Another parcel with American stamps, but this one is for Clara and has Radnor Vane’s address on the back, so I expect it’s something for Teddy.’
I hoped, for Teddy’s sake, that it wasn’t more Mickey Mouse slippers.
‘We’ve sorted out the post now. That was the last,’ Henry said, as Teddy returned. ‘I’ve given Clara ours, which was mostly cards, and Sybil is looking through the mail for Underhill. I thought you and Lex could take that up with you tomorrow morning, Meg.’
‘There’s still a lot more to deliver, though,’ I said, eyeing the heaps on the table.
‘I’ll probably take it round tomorrow, when I’m out with Lass, but it shouldn’t take long because most of it is for the Adcocks and Bilbo.’
In the drawing room, the tree lights and chandelier sparkled, and with the curtains drawn and the fire glowing warmly, everything looked very cosy.
Clara was drinking her usual whisky and soda, and Sybil and Tottie held glasses of golden mead.
‘… strong fetlocks and a sweet nature,’ Sybil was saying, so I deduced they were discussing something equine.
‘Everything I always looked for in a man,’ I said, and Tottie gave her bark of laughter.
‘What is?’ asked Lex, coming in with a laden log basket. There were starry drops of melting snow in his dark curls.
‘Strong fetlocks and a sweet nature,’ said Sybil, smiling.
‘That’s me to a T, then, but unfortunately, I can’t marry all of you.’ He put the log basket next to the fire and carefully added one or two more to the blaze.
The door opened again and Zelda wandered in, a slightly dreamy expression on her face. She was dressed in something short, holly-berry red, and with interesting cut-out bits that revealed selected portions of her curvy, but petite, anatomy.
‘Mark all right?’ asked Clara.
‘Yes, he’s—’ She broke off and blushed. ‘How did you know I’d been talking to him?’
‘Intuition, darling,’ said Clara.
Sybil stared at Zelda, a frown between her eyes. She looked as if she was about to say something, had Henry, Teddy and River not joined us at that moment.
‘No sign of Piers yet,’ observed Henry.
‘No. Perhaps you should rattle the whisky bottle and a glass together at the bottom of the stairs?’ suggested Clara.
‘Actually, when I went up to change and found him still flat out on the bed, there was a distinct smell of brandy,’ said River. ‘I think he may have had further supplies in his Gladstone bag.’
‘I suppose if he doesn’t appear by the time Den beats the gong, we’ll have to wake him up,’ Tottie said. ‘And we still have to get him down to Flora’s once he’s been fed.’
‘Some solid food and a cup of coffee should do the trick,’ Clara said.
‘I hope Flora won’t find him too much of a pain,’ said Henry. ‘Perhaps I should warn her to lock up the mini-bar in the guest lounge?’
Sybil looked unhappy again. ‘Piers does drink rather a lot. Daddy was always much worse when Piers was staying with us.’
‘I’d back Flora to cope with Piers any day,’ said Clara. ‘There’s no need for you to look so guilty and worried, Sybil: it’s not your fault he’s here.’
