She managed to elicit his agreement to attend the town’s Christmas lunch and by the end of their dance, he looked a great deal happier.
Later Liza was talking to the colonel who admitted that he was going to promote Corporal Southern back to Lieutenant the next day as he thought that he had suffered enough but he had to learn the seriousness of sleeping on duty, although he probably realised that by now.
“Don’t worry, I won’t say anything to him tonight, I’ll let you be the first to give him the good news. I’m pleased for him,” said Liza.
A very tired but happy crowd of revellers left the army function room at around midnight, some going to their quarters in the fort and the rest making their way to their various homes in town.
Greg asked and was allowed to drive Ellen home, he was going to pick up one of his sisters from Liza’s house and then his other sister from Dr Tom’s, but everyone could see his joy at having Ellen by his side even though it was only a short drive.
After checking on Si, Gabriel went home followed shortly by Zelma to her home. The boys were sleeping soundly and finally, Liza and Patrick went to their bedroom. Liza asked Patrick to undo the ribbons at the back of her dress and he moved towards her but instead, he put his hands up her skirt and pulled down her underclothes very neatly and very quickly.
“Just stay in your dress for a while please, Liza. I know you have nothing on under the top of it; I can see that,” said Patrick as he started undressing. He still had bandages around his ribcage and he didn’t attempt to remove those. His bruises were still showing but they were getting much better. Finally he was standing in front of her naked and he put his arms around her and started undoing the back of her dress. He kissed her slowly on the lips and at the same time slid her dress down her body and onto the floor. He lifted her up and carried her over to the bed, laid her on it and climbed on top of her.
“You looked beautiful tonight, Liza but you look even more beautiful now,” he whispered to her and then very, very slowly he made love to her. Normally their love making was full of fun and laughter, tonight they were both working together with great need and intensity.
Liza wanted to hold him tightly but just had to touch him gently. “What a wonderful way to end a perfect evening,” whispered Liza and then they both reached a climax together.
As Patrick moved off her, it was obvious that his ribs still hadn’t mended, and Liza gently ran her hands over them. Suddenly she started crying, “What’s the matter Liza? Have I hurt you?”
“No, it’s just that I feel a bit emotional. It’s been a time of very mixed feelings recently and I’ve got you home now and I suppose I’m crying because I’m relieved and happy,” sniffed Liza.
“I’m relieved and happy also, Liza, but I promise you I won’t cry all over you,” laughed Patrick. “I’m just going to let you snuggle into me as you like to, then I’ll be able to hold you all night and sleep comfortably like that. Stop crying and give me a kiss.”
“I think I feel this way because I am happy and I enjoyed myself tonight, but that makes me feel guilty as it isn’t long since we had our little girl with us and now she’s gone and I had hoped that she would see at least one Christmas,” said Liza.
“She’s gone Liza, and there is absolutely nothing we can do about it. All we can do is make sure that Christmas is as happy as possible for our two boys and keep our feelings of sorrow to ourselves over this holiday period,” said Patrick.
They settled down for the night each with their own thoughts, but comfortable in the knowledge that they had each other.
***
The next few days were very busy. Luckily Liza no longer had to drive Patrick to the fort; he was now able to ride relatively comfortably. Laurie had completed writing the front page of the newspaper and Liza had approved it. Greg was busy setting the type, all the other pages had either been printed or were waiting for the front page, and it would definitely be completed later that day. All that had to be done then was fold it and get it on the streets. Liza had decided that the first one would be handed out free to create interest for the following weeks’ editions. Ellen and Greg’s sisters were coming in to help with folding it and then they would go to various areas and hand it out to whoever passed. Liza could see that Greg was looking forward to Ellen joining them, and she and Laurie smiled at one another as they were witnessing first love in two very young people.
Final arrangements were being made for the Christmas lunch at the school and Liza went to the general store to see Kathy and they walked to the school calling for Hannah and Angela on the way. The desks and benches had been moved into the new church storage shed and the colonel had agreed that tables and chairs could be borrowed from the function room at the fort and they had been delivered that morning. It looked disorganised but they would soon get it into some sort of order.
Kathy and Hannah would be cooking the turkeys, Zelma and Liza were in charge of vegetables with Zelma using Gabriel’s kitchen, Angela was on gravy duty and Laurie was making trifles and puddings mainly for the children. Each would be steaming plum puddings and everyone except Sean, Paul and Rufus would be bringing their own crockery and cutlery. The double metal grill had been placed in the large fireplace and Joe and Gabriel were going to light the fire early on Christmas morning and plenty of logs were stacked to cover the whole day.
They set the tables and chairs in place and it was noted that they could see that there was plenty of room. They wouldn’t be overcrowded at the table.
Liza then went back to the print shop to see how everything was progressing and found that Greg was busy at the press and Ellen and Greg’s two sisters were busy folding what had already been printed. Liza was pleased with the look of the paper; although there were one or two items that she felt they could improve on. Laurie was making room for the finished product and looking very proud of what they had achieved. Liza was waiting to take some out to the fort and when the first thirty were ready, she drove directly to see the colonel.
Liza found it strange to see Patrick sitting at Ben’s desk and she laughed at him as she could see that he was not happy dealing with paperwork.
“Good afternoon Lieutenant Kelly; is the colonel free to see me?” and she giggled.
“Just wait ’till I get you home, Liza Kelly,” hissed Patrick and then he said in his normal voice. “Yes, he is in and I know he’d like to see you. I’ll take you through.”
“That’s very kind of you, Lieutenant Kelly,” said Liza with a smirk on her face.
Patrick knocked on the colonel’s door, opened it and said, “Mrs Kelly to see you, Colonel.”
The colonel looked up, “Come in, Liza, it’s nice to see you. Have you brought your new newspaper with you?”
“Yes, I’ve got some copies in my buggy outside,” said Liza.
“Patrick,” yelled the colonel and when Patrick came to the door, the colonel told him to bring a copy of the paper in from the buggy and then get the rest distributed around. Patrick smiled sweetly but his eyes told a different story.
“Sit down, Liza,” said the colonel. “I don’t think Patrick is too pleased working behind a desk. I think he quite enjoyed it for a day or two, but he’s not cut out to be deskbound. Hopefully he’ll be well enough to get back in the saddle in the New Year.”
“I presume you are spending Christmas with the captain and Bea as usual. I suppose they are looking forward to their first Christmas with the children,” said Liza.
“No, it’s just Ada and I this year, Liza. It’s going to be very quiet for us. It hasn’t been a very good year for either you or us has it?” said the colonel.
“Had you planned to spend Christmas alone?” asked Liza.
“No, it’s just the way it’s worked out this year,” said the colonel.
“You know you are more than welcome to join us. There are going to be twenty-one of us for lunch on Christmas day at the school room and two more will just add to our enjoyment,” said Liza.
“That’s very kind of you, Liza, but we don’t want to intrude on your party,” said the colonel.
“It would be no intrusion. We didn’t invite you as you always spend the time with others here at the fort, but I know everyone would be pleased to see you. You might have to bring some of your own food and crockery and cutlery. In fact, we could do with Ada’s help. I’ll go and see her now,” said Liza.
The colonel seemed to have cheered up. “Patrick,” he yelled and once again Patrick appeared in the doorway. “Will you show your wife over to my quarters please?”
“Don’t worry, I can make my own way over there, Colonel,” said Liza.
“I wouldn’t dream of it. I’m sure that Lieutenant Kelly will be more than pleased to see you safely to my quarters,” said the colonel with a twinkle in his eye.
“Thank you Colonel,” she said and she laughed as Patrick stood to attention for her to pass and then picked up his hat on their way through the outer office and walked smartly with her over to the colonel’s quarters.
The colonel watched them go and saw Patrick bend down and say something to Liza and she looked up at him laughed and shrugged her shoulders. He was telling her she was going to suffer later, thought the colonel. He liked watching the two of them together, they showed their happiness with one another and they didn’t care who saw it and they had fun. It reminded him of when he and Ada were younger, in fact they weren’t so very different now but with his position, they no longer showed their affection in public. He hoped Ada would agree to them joining the Christmas lunch party, he felt the need to mix with happy people and the youngsters always made him smile.
Patrick touched his hat as he left her at Ada’s door, and told her that he would ‘see to her’ later. Bea was with Ada and she had both Rachel and Judith with her. Liza told Ada of her conversation with the colonel and it seemed that he would be pleased to accept the invitation to Christmas lunch but he wanted Ada’s approval.
Liza explained that they could really do with her help. “I think it’s very kind of you to ask, Liza, but surely you’ve got enough people joining you on that day,” said Ada.
“No, we have plenty of room, but it would be useful if you could bring some food and crockery and cutlery, but I would be pleased if you could sort that out with Kathy, Zelma and Hannah so that we know exactly what we are doing,” said Liza. “Please say you will, Ada.”
“Can we go also,” asked Rachel. “I’d like to be with my friends. It would be much more fun.”
Liza didn’t answer as this was something that Bea had to handle herself and she hadn’t thought that Rachel could hear what she had been saying. She had forgotten that children have big ears.
Ada said that she would be delighted to accept and she would go and see Kathy, Zelma and Hannah to see what was needed.
Bea told Rachel that there would probably be no room for them and that they had already organised their Christmas lunch at home. Liza said nothing as she didn’t want to upset Bea’s plans, although she would have liked them to join in with everyone.
Having elicited Ada’s agreement about the Christmas lunch, Liza said that she had to get back to make sure the paper was being distributed properly and Bea and her family left with her. Liza had the opportunity to talk to Bea out of earshot of Rachel. “You know, we do have plenty of room at the school and it would be wonderful if you could join us, although you may be looking forward to having a proper family Christmas this year.”
“Do you really mean that, Liza? We were feeling quite isolated and I know that Rachel would love to be with her friends at this time. I can cook what we were going to have and get it to you,” said Bea.
“Ada is coming into town tomorrow to liaise with Kathy, Hannah, Zelma and Angela, so why don’t you join her and you can leave Rachel with the boys while you sort everything out. You know that I’m good at organising, but rather poor at cooking. I’ve been relegated to a small amount of vegetables, cranberry sauce and a steamed plum pudding, so if you want to see what you can do then just don’t ask me,” laughed Liza. “Do you know I’m going to be surrounded by everyone who is dear to me? I’ll see you in town tomorrow then, Bea.”
Liza was making her way to the stable and then realised that they would have to borrow some more chairs from the fort, so she called into the colonel’s office and smiled sweetly at Patrick who looked up at her with suspicion in his eyes. “What is it you want, Liza?” he asked.
“Can you organise another six chairs to go to the school for Christmas day please, Patrick. That is if that would be all right with the colonel,” said Liza.
“I’m sure it will be all right, Liza,” said Patrick through clenched teeth, as organising chairs for a Christmas party was not what he felt were the duties of a lieutenant in the American army. He also realised how Liza had the colonel wrapped around her little finger and he didn’t believe that the colonel realised it.
“Thank you, Patrick,” she smiled at him again. “I’ll see you at home later.” And off she went to see that the paper was running smoothly and to tell Kathy, Hannah, Zelma and Angela that another five people plus one baby would be joining them on Christmas Day.
When she arrived in town she saw Greg’s sisters handing out their newspapers to all passers-by. Liza smiled as she went into the print shop and saw Ellen loitering with Greg as he was cleaning down the print machine. Laurie was arranging that the office was cleared and ready to start afresh. She was also smiling and she nodded towards Greg and Ellen and Liza nodded in response.
Liza then made her way to see Kathy who was delighted that they would be having extra guests at Christmas and who they were. Liza said that she was now going to see Hannah and then Angela to tell them and let them know that Ada and Bea would be coming into town to see what they could do to help.
Finally, she arrived home to find that the boys were in very high spirits. Gabriel hadn’t yet come for Si; he was probably working late to try to finish all that had to be done before Christmas. Zelma was delighted that all their greatest friends would be with them on Christmas day and she would make sure she saw Ada and Bea the next day.
“I didn’t tell Laurie yet. I thought it may unsettle her knowing that the colonel and Ada would be joining us, although the colonel mentioned to me at the dance that he was pleased that she was now beginning to turn her life around. She is still a little shy with some people though. I think I’ll tell Corporal Shaw first and let him calm her down, he seems very good at handling her,” said Liza.
Patrick came back from work and spent some time with the boys. He was feeling much better although his ribs still needed time to mend. “I’ve organised your chairs for you, Liza. I used all my considerable army expertise to carry out such an important assignment and I took your newspaper to various places at the fort. I really have excelled myself today.”
“I’m sure you’ve carried out lots of important duties today, Patrick,” said Liza. “You’ll soon be back on patrols. The colonel thinks you should be back in the New Year.”
“He’s told you more than he’s told me,” said Patrick.
“Oh, I thought you knew. But even if the colonel didn’t tell you, you must know that you’re getting better every day and by the New Year you should be fit enough for your normal duties. I suppose your ribs will still have to be bandaged for a while,” said Liza.
“Do you think that having the colonel and captain will make the Christmas lunch awkward for young Denton and Southern. No doubt you’ve thought of that,” said Patrick.
“Yes, I’m going to sit them at different ends of the room and I’ll do the same for Laurie and the corporal. I’ll make sure everyone is happy,” said Liza and Patrick admired how confident she was that she could make everyone happy.
The next two days were a hive of activity at the school house. All the ladies had liaised and knew exactly what was expected of them. As far as Liza was concerned, she had been relegated to making cranberry sauce and steaming two plum puddings. However, she wa
s left to organise the tables and their settings. She also had to make sure that everyone would be seated comfortably and arrange who would be carving the turkeys and who would be on duty to serve the vegetables. In fact, all the types of arrangements she had been so good at both in Belfast and in New York but on a much smaller and more intimate scale. She and Ellen found holly in the nearby woods and they spent time together decorating the tables. There were gifts for everyone and Liza and Ellen arranged these on a table in a corner.
The fire was lit on Christmas Eve and logs were piled up inside against one side of the fireplace with many more outside if needed.
The church service for Christmas morning was to be at ten o’clock and would be over before eleven, and the children and some of the men, mainly the lieutenants would go straight to the school house where Liza and Ellen would be on duty. Bea and Ada would drive to their quarters and collect their offerings. It would take them just half an hour to make it back and Kathy, Hannah, Zelma, Angela and Laurie would be at their homes and back within fifteen minutes. Joe, Patrick and Tom were going to help them by driving them around. Gabriel’s duty would be to keep the fire at a reasonable level and Sean would help him.
Matthew and John were awake very early on Christmas morning, which was expected, and there were shrieks of excitement as they looked at the presents which were in the stockings at the end of each of their beds. There was a great deal to do that day so it was just as well that Liza and Patrick were awoken early.
Liza checked on the school house before she went to the church and all was still in order. After the church service Liza stopped at little Meg’s and Danny’s graves just for a few minutes and then she and Ellen guided all the children to the school and gradually everyone else arrived along with all the food. There was hot punch for the adults and lemonade for the children. Wine or beer would be served at the meal.
Everything went according to plan that afternoon and everyone got on well together. Laurie’s worry about being with Ada and the colonel had disappeared, Bart Shaw had helped her through that and Paul and Rufus found that they enjoyed everyone’s company without exception, with no awkwardness because people senior to them were there.
Against All Odds Page 81
