Page 96 of The Christmas Invitation
‘It’s a pity Zelda won’t be here in time for it. I can’t remember the last time she was,’ said Tottie.
‘Not for many years,’ agreed Clara. ‘She either arrives too late, or not at all because she’s in a pantomime.’
Teddy, who had been absorbed in completing another picture in his magic painting book, looked up worriedly at this.
‘What if it snows a lot and Mummy can’t get here for Christmas?’
‘A thaw might have set in by Thursday,’ I suggested.
‘I’m sure she’ll make it, even if she has to ski over from Thorstane,’ Henry assured him and then, as if we’d summoned her, Zelda rang to speak with Teddy.
‘Of course,’ said Clara, who had picked up the receiver. ‘I’ll put him on. We’ve had some snow, so he’s a bit anxious about whether you’ll be able to get here on Thursday.’
Zelda must have reassured him, because Teddy relaxed after a few moments of listening to her and turned to the topic most absorbing him at the moment: what he was getting for Christmas.
‘Father Christmas explained you’d probably come on the train and they wouldn’t let you bring me a pony, so perhaps you’ve got me something else, like a dragon?’
The phone squawked faintly and then Teddy said, ‘All right. Night-night, Mummy,’ and put it down.
‘Mummy says I’ll have to wait and see what she brings me,’ he said, then added, darkly, ‘There’s too muchwaitingat Christmas.’
We all laughed and Tottie said, ‘Well, it wouldn’t be a surprise otherwise, would it?’
‘You like dragons?’ asked River.
‘Yes, and I know lots of stories about them,’ Teddy said enthusiastically. ‘Bilbo told me a good one and there’s another in my book about a dragon who ate four knights for breakfast. But I don’t like the story about St George because he kills the poor dragon.’
‘I see where you’re coming from,’ said River. ‘Meg told me about Bilbo and I know his wife, Moonflower. I haven’t seen her for several years, though, so I look forward to meeting up with her again.’
‘If you go down to their shop – Preciousss – Flower will sell you something. She’s keen as mustard,’ I warned him.
‘Preciousss – and Bilbo? Do I detect a slight interest in Tolkien?’
‘You could say that,’ Henry said drily. ‘They called the baby Grace-Galadriel too.’
‘Pretty,’ approved River.
Teddy yawned hugely.
‘Time for bed now – it’s very late, Teddy,’ said Tottie, getting up. ‘Come on, let’s get you ready.’
‘Will you come up and read me a story, Uncle Henry?’ he asked.
‘I’ll be there when Tottie calls me,’ he promised.
When they’d gone up, Clara explained to River about Zelda.
‘Teddy’s mother is Lex’s sister and so my niece. They’re my sister Bridget’s children, but she and her husband live in New Zealand now. She’s much younger than me, which is why Lex, Zelda and Henry’s great-nephew, Mark, are all about the same age.’
‘And Meg, too,’ said Henry, smiling at me. ‘Another great-niece.’
‘Zelda is an actor, so she finds it more convenient for Teddy to live here, and it’s better for him to be settled in one place,’ continued Clara. ‘She loves him dearly, but I’m not sure she’s cut out for day-to-day mothering.’
‘She sounds a bit like my mum,’ I said. ‘The love is there and they want to know you’re safe, but out of sight, out of mind!’
Tottie called downstairs and Henry went to read Teddy his story, though he’d been so sleepy he’d probably have nodded off in moments.
But none of us stayed up late that night: we were all tired.
