Page 68 of One More Christmas at the Castle
Neither Xan nor Simon had seen that one, so we settled down with beer, nuts, crisps and the depleted tin of chocs – I’d have to order another one, possibly even two, at this rate.
I’d seen the film so often that I found I got just as muchentertainment from watching the expressions of horrified amazement on Xan and Simon’s faces. They were riveted.
When it had finished, Henry was all for following it with the sequel, but Simon said he reallydidhave to go home.
‘And I need to go to bed, or I won’t be fit to work in the morning,’ Xan said. ‘I’ve got to take Plum out first, though, so I’ll walk partway with you, Simon.’
‘In that case, I’ll come too,’ Henry said.
‘I’m afraid I’ll have to go to bed, or I won’t be awake enough in the morning,’ I said, going over to look out of the window and finding the world had turned white. ‘Henry, you were right about the snow. It looks quite thick out there!’
‘Great!’ said Henry, but Xan said it would probably mean he’d have to carry Plum most of the way there and back.
‘If you can prise him off the sofa in the first place,’ I said. But I picked him up and carried him into the Garden Hall, while they put their outdoor things on, before handing him to Xan.
‘Thank you for a lovely evening,’ Simon said. ‘I’ve really enjoyed it.’
‘Well, we’ll be watching films every evening until the guests arrive and we’re too tired, or busy,’ I said. ‘So do come over and join us any time you feel like it.’
‘Mrs Powys …?’ he began uncertainly.
‘Oh, just come in by way of the Garden Hall, though I don’t really see why she’d mind, anyway,’ Xan told him.
I wasn’t too sure about that where Xan was concerned. It was only OK for him to hang out with the help when it was Henry. But then, what she didn’t know wouldn’t hurt her.
‘That’s very tempting,’ Simon said. ‘Especially because my central heating boiler keeps playing up, though the cottage never feels that warm even when it’s working.’
I opened the door on to a changed, white world. ‘I certainlyhope it’s working when you get back because this is no night for a dodgy boiler!’
I was in bed when I heard Henry come back. Either that, or a burglar with the same taste in old films. I don’t know how he can manage on so little sleep because I knew I’d still be tired in the morning.
But it had been a really enjoyable evening, I thought drowsily. How nice Simon was, with that diffident manner and strangely sweet smile …
But as I drifted off, it wasn’t Simon I was thinking of, but Xan and the serious, almost questioning expression I’d twice glimpsed on his face when he’d looked at me.
I found it unfathomable … and then I was sinking fathoms deep into sleep.
It was still dark when I got up, but when I looked out, I could see the pale gleam of snow.
I’d assume Henry would wait till later before braving the roads to fetch the newspapers, but no, just as I got down to the kitchen, I heard the Land Rover scrunch past. I hoped he’d remembered the chains for the wheels, and also that he’d be careful. Still, he does seem to thrive on challenges.
When I took up Mrs Powys’s breakfast, I found her uncommunicative and wondered if perhaps the previous evening had tired her.
I told her that it had been snowing, but had now stopped, so Henry had gone for the papers.
‘Tell him I want to see him in the library again this morning, after my recording session with Xan. I’ll ring when I’m ready,’ she said. ‘We can discuss the swags and garlands of greenery. He said he’d found some new ideas in one of the magazines.’
‘I’ll tell him,’ I promised, though I had visions of him stuck in a snowdrift somewhere. However, he was already in the kitchen, pink-cheeked from the cold and looking even more cherubic than usual.
‘The snow looked quite deep – I was worried about you!’
‘It was quite easy really,’ he said, sounding disappointed. ‘The top road had already been cleared and gritted and I followed a tractor with a snowplough all the way down to the village.’
‘Spoilsports,’ I said, and he grinned.
‘The cold has made me ravenous so I’m doing sausages, mushrooms and scrambled eggs – do you want some? Xan does – he’s just taken Plum out and is drying him off in the scullery.’
‘Just scrambled egg and mushrooms for me.’
