Page 41 of Christmas Wishes at Pudding Hall
‘Nothing like her for miles around here,’ said Bill. ‘There was talk that the house would become a hotel before Mr Ferrier bought it.’
‘Is that a good or a bad thing?’ she asked.
Bill snorted. ‘No one wanted this to be a hotel. It’s Pudding Hall. It’s a grand home but it needs a family, not just drop-ins. This is the first time Mr Ferrier has stayed here and he bought it three years ago.’
‘Really? If I had a house like this I would never leave.’ Christa laughed. ‘It’s a dream come true isn’t it? All these gardens and chickens and a pond and an orchard.’
Bill stopped, turned and looked around at the expanse of ground behind them. ‘There’re more but no one enjoys it. Sometimes I feel I’m keeping it alive just for me.’
Christa looked with him.
‘How about this morning, I bring the boys for a wander? They would love it. They’ve been cooped up inside with video games and television. Could you take us on a tour? I could bring morning tea.’
Bill’s face beamed. ‘That would be grand, Christa, just grand.’
He helped her carry the vegetables inside the house and then carefully put the eggs on the bench.
‘For morning tea – you might need them if you make something.’
Christa smiled at him.
‘You’re a star, Bill, thank you. See you at ten.’
12
Marc could hear the boys yelling from the kitchen as he walked towards it and he pushed open the door to hear one yell at the other, ‘Go and bite your arse.’
‘Give it back or I’ll punch your face in.’
He was about to speak when he saw Christa come out of the pantry.
‘No one will be biting bums or punching faces, and certainly not in my kitchen. Please treat each other with respect and kindness or you can’t come on my adventure.’
He saw her hold out the coats for the twins and they sullenly pulled them on.
‘Why do you say bum and not arse?’ asked Seth.
‘Bum is a much better word, isn’t it?’ Christa asked as she pulled their woollen hats onto their heads.
‘Bum is a good word,’ Ethan agreed.
‘My aunt had a parrot that she taught to say to my uncle, “Bite your bum, Lester”, whenever he passed. Used to drive him mad but it made my aunt laugh.’ Christa said the phrase like a parrot and the boys roared with laughter and then copied her, repeating the phrase.
‘Who is Lester and why am I biting his bum?’ Marc asked, poking his head inside the doorframe.
The boys fell apart laughing again and he saw Christa join in.
Whatever happened to make her flee last night didn’t seem to be a concern now.
‘Good night?’ he asked, wishing he hadn’t when he saw her face. Her smile went steely. He had overstepped a boundary and he knew it.
‘Sorry, none of my business,’ he said.
‘How was the wine from your vineyard?’ she asked and he swore he could detect a hint of vinegar in her tone.
‘Very sweet,’ he answered.
‘We’re going on an adventure with Christa. Do you want to come?’ Seth yelled.
