Page 151 of One More Christmas at the Castle
I stood and stretched. ‘I don’t think there’s anything else urgent to do now, so I’ll just go and tidy up, then we’d better join the others before Nancy comes to find us!’
Nigel joined in enthusiastically with all the board games and even Sophie drifted over, from sheer boredom, I think, since Simon was now playing chess with Mr Makepeace.
By then, too, Henry had made his Christmas Cocktail again, which might have mellowed her a little.
Later, we had the cold supper of sandwiches and the remains of the Christmas cake … and more drinks.
Then Henry suggested to Mrs Powys that he put on an old Christmas film and we all ended up watching the original versionofMiracle on 34th Street… or dozing off in front of it, as the fancy took us.
And at some point, Sophie and Simon vanished into the next room, ostensibly to play billiards …
But, sitting next to Xan on one of the sofas with Plum, as usual, on my knees, I thought it reallyhadbeen a lovely day.
It was late by the time the party began to break up and by then I was feeling bone-tired, but happy.
Henry and I wished everyone goodnight and went back to the staff wing, but it was no surprise that Dom and Xan followed us a few minutes later.
Henry and Dom, kindred spirits, didn’t seem in the least sleepy, and said they were going to watch a spoof Christmas horror film, and did we want to join them?
‘No, I’m way too tired and want to go to bed,’ I said, but I let Xan persuade me to go out with him, when he took Plum for his bedtime walk.
We crunched around the gravel drive to the front of the house, where the solar stars still twinkled on the tree – and so did those set in the clear, ultramarine sky.
The air was still, but bitterly cold, though I breathed it in deeply anyway, feeling my head clear.
‘The stars look so beautiful tonight,’ I said. ‘I’m glad you made me come out.’
‘I’mglad you did – andyouare my one true star now,’ he said, slipping an arm around me, as Plum skittered off across the crisp grass, where only small patches of snow glimmered here and there.
I turned and kissed him and as his arms tightened around me, he said, ‘Best Christmas ever!’
Sabine
‘Here’s one I prepared earlier,’ Nancy quoted, like a TV chef on a cookery programme, brandishing a flask and two mugs as she came into the boudoir.
‘Let me guess – cocoa?’ I said.
‘Got it in one. I could see you were tired but overstimulated – tears before bedtime! – and thought it would help you to sleep.’
‘I did feel tired earlier, but got a sort of second wind and woke right up again.’
Nancy poured us both some cocoa and then sat down, saying, cosily, ‘There, I do love a good cup of cocoa, and, goodness knows, we’ve both had enough alcohol today to float a battleship.’
‘I never feel champagne really counts,’ I said, and she grinned.
‘I know what you mean,’ she agreed, ‘but those cocktails Henry produced were stronger than they tasted! But it’s worth being tired tomorrow … and possibly a little hungover, because today was so much fun, wasn’t it? And also, I felt everyone showed themselves in their true light and I found myself liking them much better than before.’
‘True. Frank’s still a pompous stuffed shirt, but I’ve warmedmore to Nigel. And even Lucy, irritating though she is,meanswell and tries to be helpful.’
‘Damned with faint praise,’ said Nancy, with a twinkle. ‘Still, today brought everyone together, thanks in no small part to Henry’s efforts and Dido’s delicious food.’
‘And to you, too, Nancy. You’re a people person.’
I sighed as the faint feeling of euphoria, which had been keeping me going, finally evaporated and tiredness invaded my body.
‘Asa could bring the most disparate of people together – he had such charm and charisma, didn’t he?’ I said.
‘He did indeed, and he would be very proud of you now, my dear,’ she said gently. ‘I’m also quite certain he’d approve of whatever decision you’ve come to, regarding your will, because I’m sure you’ll have made fair provision for everyone.’
