He sent them home again. ‘You can’t come here without telling your mother. You’ll have me in trouble.’ Matty didn’t seem to mind he only got a hug and kiss. Maybe it’s Luke’s need that brings Matty, whatever the cause he is loath to discourage it. He knows the visits for what they are gifts of love.
A crisis with the fire range in the kitchen made Julia late to the play. Matty had gone ahead with the children ‘to rehearse our entry,’ said Mrs Perkins, still harassed. ‘The donkey must not get ahead of the sheep when entering the stable. They must enter together and not pushing and shoving.’
Julia was almost ready when the wretched range began belching smoke and had to be raked back. Normally she’d call Joe but can’t now. With Maggie at her mother’s, and Mrs Mac and Leah on their way to Dorset, and Dorothy on her day off, there is only Julia. She took Kaiser and the cats to the laundry room and shut them in. An apron over her dress she raked out the embers and was soon covered in ash and then damn it, transferring coke to a bucket she dropped a live coal on her skirt. There was nothing for it but to bath and change. It was a horrible rush and conscious of Matty, who in the barber’s earlier, sat grizzling she wove her damp hair into a plait and secured it. Then disdaining a hat took her cape and hood and went out into the snow.
The House was a blaze of light. A sombre faced Dulce hovered by the door.
‘Good afternoon, Dulce.’
‘Good day, Mizz Dryden.’
‘Is everything going as it should?’
‘It would seem so.’
‘And Mrs Masson? Is she well?’
‘I don’t know about well but she surely is happy. See for yourself.’
The Great Hall had been arranged as a theatre sofas and chairs drawn in a semi-circle about a raised wooden dais. Callie was centre of the front row. Overtopped by a pink hat and clutching a pink feather boa she occupied a huge throne-like chair and sat bowing and smiling, the feathers on her hat rippling.
Julia smiled. ‘Callie and her hats!’
Dulce nodded. ‘The smaller she gets the bigger the hat.’
‘This one is tremendous and she sits in an equally tremendous chair!’
‘She says it used to belong to one of the Aunts and prior to that an Italian Doge. It weighs a ton. She found it in the West Wing attics and had Crosby and another poor soul carry it down three flights of stairs.’
‘Why didn’t they use the lift?’
‘She won’t let anybody use it. She’s afraid of it getting stuck and them inside.’
‘I’ve never seen her so elated. She looks like an American version of Britannia. All she needs is a trident.’
‘It’s as well she’s happy considering Mister Daniel will not be coming back for Christmas. He sent a cable. Not only has he forgotten his mother needs him to be here he sent a cable. He should know a wire and she has him dead and buried. He said he was sorry he wouldn’t be home, he was with a missionary.’
‘A missionary?’
‘Uh-huh, giving out food.’
‘That sounds an important job.’
‘So is giving his Mama a joyous last Christmas.’
‘Last Christmas?’ Julia drew back. ‘What do you mean?’
Dulce shrugged. ‘It’s always somebody’s last Christmas, Mrs Dryden. He don’t know that it’s not Mizz Callie’s.’
I do hope it’s not her last, thought Julia, gazing about the room, not when as Nan would say the Big House is finally as it should be, carriages in the drive and the windows bright with the light of a thousand candles. For a chilly house it looks quite splendid. A fire blazing in the hearth, the sweeping staircase hung with boughs of holly, and in the corner of the room by the long window the tallest massive fir tree frosted with tiny crystal bells.
‘What pretty bells!’
‘They came down with the chair,’ said Dulce. ‘They belong to the Grevilles and were stored in the attic along with old rocking horses and perambulators. They were thick with dust. Me and Mizz Callie spent half of yesterday cleaning ‘em.’
‘Have the children seen the tree?’
‘No, madam, they were brought in the back way so to surprise them.’
‘And that wooden dais I assume is for the play?’
‘It is. When she knew they were going to do the play she had it made. A local man put it together and made a crib to go with it.’
‘It’s wonderful. Callie has made the old house live again.’
‘Yes, madam, one last hurrah.’
The audience settling, and Miss Perkins poking her head round the door, it seems the play is about to begin. Nan is in the audience and an empty seat beside her. Julia pressed Dulce’s hand. ‘Thank you for this. It’s a wonderful way to start Christmas.’ She moved away. ‘It’s a pity Daniel isn’t here. When he learns of it I’m sure he’ll be sorry he missed it.
Dulce watched her go, the beauty in the flame coloured gown. ‘Yes, fool of a man,’ she whispered, ‘and the loss of Christmas won’t be all he’ll regret.’
‘May I sit with you?’
‘Sit, Anna, and be welcome.’
Julia settled beside Nan. ‘Isn’t this exciting?’
‘You’ve cut it a bit fine. I wasn’t sure you were comin’.’
‘The stove.’
‘Oh, say no more! I’ve had my struggles with the blessed things. They can be so very temperamental.’
‘Mine certainly is.’ Julia gazed about her. ‘Is Luke not coming?’
Nan laughed out loud. ‘Now what prompted that question? Might it have been the word temperamental?’
‘It might.’
‘My poor lad,’ said Nan. ‘He is a man of property. He has his own home and runs his own business with half the country beggin’ his time, Mrs Masson here callin’ him all the hours of the day and yet he still carries the mark of Cain.’
‘That’s not what I meant!’ said Julia. ‘I suppose I was thinking of the stove.’
‘You mean overheated and in need of rakin’ out?’
Julia glanced sideways and meeting Nan’s twinkling gaze laughed.
‘He is here,’ said Nan, ‘but he’s out the back with the kiddies.’
‘What’s he doing there?’
‘You may well ask. Mrs Masson put him there. It was him made that wooden stage the kiddies stand on. She said she wanted it like a real theatre. Not only that, she needed a crib for Baby Jesus. Guess who got the job?’
‘He is very much sought after.’
‘You can say that again, especially with Mrs Masson’s son away.’ Nan smoothed her gloves. ‘You know he’s not coming home for the holiday?’
‘Yes.’
‘It’s a bad sign.’
‘A bad sign?’
‘Yes.’
‘For whom?’
‘For you.’
Julia sat very still. She felt Nan’s gaze and knew she waited a response, as did Dulce when she said the same. Daniel Masson is a twentieth century man comfortable with modern trends yet first and last a gentleman, a Greville Warwick, and au fait with the customs and mores of courtship. That he chose to stay away at such an important time, and not bother to inform Julia, suggests a cooling of ardour and a casual handling of her feelings. But what are her feelings? If Nan and Dulce are seeking an answer to that question they’ll have to wait. If Julia’s unsure she can hardly enlighten them.
There was a shuffling back of the Hall and a sudden drop in noise. The church organist sat at the piano and began to play. Then there was Luke.
Nan nudged her. ‘Here he comes.’
For an absurd moment Julia entertained the notion of Luke dressed as an angel or some such but he came as himself and carrying a wooden crib. He set it centre of the dais. Then glanced out at the gathering and returned the way he came.
‘I took his seat?’ Julia whispered.
Luke returned to the anteroom and to Matty who sat on a stool, the knitted lamb crushed in his arms and his face tear-stained.
‘Is Mumma there?’ said Matty.
‘Yes she is. She’s with Nanny Roberts so no need to worry.’
‘Is Matthew alright?’ The teacher came fussing.
‘He’s coming along.’
‘I can’t hold things up any longer. We have to go on.’
‘Then go on.’ Luke sat beside Matty. ‘He’ll be fine. It’s just a touch of stage fright. I’ll stay with him until he’s ready.’
Out in the Hall the piano was playing and the audience singing ‘Once in Royal David’s City.’ The teacher rallied the children. ‘Come along now! Mary and Joseph lead the procession, the sheep, the cows and the donkey to follow.’
The children shuffled through the door. Luke sat with his arm about Matty. He’s not sure how he got himself into this other than when he came to set up the crib he found Matty in tears. It’s the words, bless him! He’s afraid he’ll mess it up. ‘You’ll be alright. There’s nothing to fear. All you have to do is kneel at the crib, offer the lamb, and say, ‘I bring you a lamb, Dear Baby Jesus.’
Face ashen Matty croaked. ‘I bring a lamb, Baby Jesus.’
‘Aye, that’ll do.’
They waited Matty clutching his hand. Luke could feel the child getting more wound up. He knelt down. ‘Matty, you know my old horse? When you’ve done your bit here shall we go fetch her back so you can look after her?’
‘Betty?’
‘Yes. She’s not being cared for as she should.’
Matty gave a great shuddering sigh. ‘I love Betty.’
‘I know you do.’
Again they waited. There was a lot of mumbling from the kiddies and then the teacher was heard declaiming. ‘... and there were shepherds abiding in the fields keeping watch over their flock by night. ‘
‘That’s you, Matty,’ said Luke drawing him to the door.
Matty dug in his heels. ‘No.’
‘Yes! It’s your cue.’
‘No! I can’t do it.’
‘You can. You’ll be really good.’
Matty tugged his hand. ‘You come with me!’
‘I can’t, my love. It’s for you to do it.
A tear rolled down Matty’s face. ‘Come, Mister Wolf, please.’
‘Alright then.’
Hand-in-hand they entered the Hall and there was a whispering and a smile passing round the people, and then they were both kneeling at the crib, and Matty was holding out the knitted Lamb. ‘I bring you a lamb, Dear Baby Jesus.’
The Play over the gathering quickly dispersed. It was Matty’s idea to bring Luke back to the cottage. ‘You’ll come won’t you!’ he said hanging on his arm.
‘Nay, you don’t need me. You’ve done your bit. You laid the lamb in the crib and spoke your words clear as any London stage actor.’
‘I was good, wasn’t I, Mumma?’ Matty turned to Julia.
‘You were excellent, as was the Lamb. When you said amen at the end of the play, which was bit of a surprise, I am perfectly certain I heard him bleat.’
‘Silly Mumma! Lamb is made of wool. He can’t bleat.’
‘No, no more he can.’
‘Mister Wolf says I can have Betty. Can I Mumma?’
‘Betty?’
Luke grimaced. ‘I should’ve asked you first. It’s my old horse. I have a problem getting folk to look after her when I’m away. Matty was upset. I suppose I thought to sort two birds with one stone.’
‘That’s alright. Betty is welcome. She can keep the pony company.’
Matty tugged Julia’s skirt. ‘Can Mister Wolf come for tea? You said we’d have a picnic. You said we’d lay cushions on the floor and toast bread.’
‘I did say so.’ Julia turned to Luke. ‘And if Mister Wolf would be willing to join us we would be so very happy.’
‘So will you?’ Matty leapt at Luke. ‘Will you come?’
‘I’d like to but I’ve to see Nanny Roberts home.’
‘Don’t worry about me,’ said Nan adjusting her furs. ‘The Mayor, and our Lady Mayoress, has offered me a lift home in their new carriage.’
‘Aggie Simpkin?’ Luke grimaced. ‘Are you sure?’
‘Sure I’m sure. I am your mother and keen to visit with you but you would use the trap and in this weather I’ll not look a gift-horse in the mouth.’
‘Then can you come?’ said Matty.
Luke swung him up in his arms. ‘Try keeping me away.’
Caught up in the crowd they made for the door. Julia was happy. The sight of them side-by-side Matty’s hand engulfed in Luke’s made her dizzy with joy.
‘Thank you, Luke,’ she said. ‘But for you he wouldn’t have been able to do it.’
‘He would. It was a touch of the collywobbles that’s all.’
They walked out into the drive. ‘Mumma?’ Matty pointed. ‘Why is all that black stuff coming out our chimney?’
Thick smoke oozed from the cottage chimney. ‘It’s that damned fire range!’
Luke set Matty down and dashed off down the slope. ‘You’d best rethink the picnic!’ he called. Stripping his jacket as he ran he left them to follow. He has a key. He always meant to return it but was never quite able. Slipping and sliding he came down the Rise just as Dottie was stepping down from a cart.
‘Dottie don’t go in! Wait for your mistress. And you!’ he yelled to the lad on the cart, ‘stay put! We may well need you.’
Knowing how these ranges work Luke went in through the back door and kept it closed not to create a draught. Luckily the door the back stairs was closed and the same to the front parlour and Tea-Shop. It was the back rooms that had borne the brunt of the smoke a fine layer of soot everywhere.
Coughing, eyes watering, Luke damped the fire and then threw the door and windows wide open. When he went back out he saw Nan was there as was Mrs Masson’s man, Crosby. ‘Is there much damage?’
‘It’s mostly smoke but there’s a fair bit of soot.’
‘What can we do to help?’ said Nan.
‘You can take Matty,’ said Julia.
‘Yes and I’ll take you too, Anna,’ said Nan. ‘Come stay with us over Christmas. Let Albert and Luke sort this.’
Luke nodded. ‘Yes go. You’ll be better at the Nelson than with this lot.’
‘I’ll stay,’ she said, unfastening her cape.
‘You should go,’ said Luke, ‘I can manage this.’
‘I’m staying.’
‘It’s filthy in here.’ He touched the window sill. ‘See? Not a clean surface anywhere. The back rooms will have to be emptied, rugs taken up, and the walls and ceilings washed.’
‘I realise that.’
‘It’s not a major job. I’ll send the lad back with his cart to collect various bits and pieces and start right away but it’ll take a couple of days.’
‘I know and that’s why I am staying. There are things I can do that you can’t,’ said Julia tying an apron about her waist. ‘It’s a while since you were here. I know where things go and what works and what doesn’t.’
He shrugged. ‘Maybe.’
‘Please don’t think I’m being difficult. I understand what you say, and God knows I’m glad you’re here, but this is my home. I can’t leave it.’
‘As you will.’
‘Will you stay Dottie and help?’
Dottie nodded. It was settled. Matty went with Nan in the Mayor’s carriage and Kaiser and cats released from the laundry room with them.
‘It’s as well the dog wasn’t in the kitchen,’ said Luke.
‘I know.’
She was very subdued. He didn’t
like to see her with her head down but there wasn’t time to worry. They all got going Luke and Crosby lugging furniture out in the yard and the two women stripping all else. Then Albert arrived with men and began washing down walls and ceilings. Julianna and Dottie rolled up rugs.
‘Don’t beat the rugs! Lay them face down on clean snow,’ said Luke. ‘It’ll absorb the soot. Same with heavy curtains! Think of the snow as lint. They’ll come up better than new.’
It was around three thirty when they started and light already fading. By six it was pitch black. Then Dulce from the Big House loomed out of the darkness dragging a baby’s pram filled with oil lamps.
Luke couldn’t help smiling. ‘Coming down the hill lit up like that I thought you were an early Father Christmas. All you were missing were the reindeer.’
He tried to make Julianna smile because in truth it was not that bad. The house didn’t catch fire. No one got hurt! It’s muck, that’s all, and you can always do away with muck. Sleeves rolled up and a pinny about her waist she did look a sight but he’d never seen her lovelier. So her face was streaked with soot and her hair coming down but she was alongside him. They were working side-by-side and he could care less if the sky should fall.
By eight o clock the ceilings and walls were free of soot. Every ceiling would have to be white-washed as will the kitchen walls. At some time the parlour may need repapering. Ceilings he can do tomorrow. The rest can wait.
Rugs were shaken, curtains were hung and furniture replaced. Albert and the men went home promising to return the following morning.
Julianna seemed lost and wandered about the Tea-room looking at the china on the shelves and fussing over the piano. Apart from the odd trace of soot it was fine in there. God knows what was going on in her head; it’s likely she was imagining what might have happened had the place caught fire.
Then Dottie’s young feller arrived back with a laden cart, white-wash and the like. Luke unloaded the lot, covered it with tarpaulin and thought enough was enough. ‘We can’t do anymore,’ he said. ‘We need to rest.’
Julia drew Dorothy aside. ‘If you were to go back with the cart now would you have a place to stay?’
Fragile Blossoms Page 38
