A Pasty In A Pear Tree

by Daphne Neville

  As the pub began to fill up, Tommy introduced Hetty and Lottie to Bert the chimney sweep in Mary Poppins who in real life was Patrick Mannering, the architect. He agreed to help them with a loft conversion and said he would call round on Tuesday morning.

  The evening was a huge success but probably the most unexpected happening occurred shortly before midnight when Tommy announced that he and Kitty were to be married in the spring.

  “Well, you’re a couple of dark horses,” said Hetty, hugging Kitty and Tommy in turn, “I can’t believe you came to dinner on Christmas Day without giving out any signs that you were a unit, as youngsters put it these days.”

  Kitty blushed. “I’ve had a soft spot for Tommy ever since he moved to Blackberry Way but of course being me I kept my feelings to myself.”

  “And likewise, Kitty here took my fancy too,” said Tommy, “but I did nothing about it because Mother was my main concern. But of course now she’s gone things are different.”

  “So how come you’ve finally learned of your affection for each other?” Lottie asked.

  Kitty and Tommy both chuckled.

  “I think it was probably when…umm… you know, when Tommy found certain persons in my spare bedroom,” smiled Kitty.

  “It’s nearly midnight,” shouted Ashley, as he turned up the radio and ran around from behind the bar with Alison and two other members of staff. Everyone then placed their glasses on the nearest available surface and linked arms for Auld Lang Syne.

  Half an hour into the New Year, after all had watched a firework display on the beach, Hetty stood alone outside on the terrace, her hands gripped onto the railings as she listened to the sea gently tumbling onto the shore. A cool breeze tousled a loose stand of her hair which had slipped out from beneath the matron’s cap she wore.

  “A penny for your thoughts,” said Lottie, as she joined her sister on the terrace.

  “I’m bewitched,” she whispered, “I’m bewitched by the sea. I love the smell, the sound, in fact I love everything about it.”

  Lottie cast her eyes to the shore where the waves were just visible in the outside lights of the Crown and Anchor. “No regrets then?”

  Hetty smiled. “No, none whatsoever.”

  From inside the bar, Patricia Hookaduck, dressed as Wonder Woman, sat in the corner near to the fire quietly playing Auld Lang Syne on the bagpipes. The mournful sound drifted out to the terrace and into every corner of the pub, momentarily causing the revellers to cease their chat and listen until the very end of Patricia’s impromptu performance. Some were even moved to tears.

  “Let’s have a sing-song,” said Tommy, inspired as the last haunting notes of the bagpipes faded.

  A chorus of yeses rang throughout the pub.

  “Shall I play the piano?” Hetty asked, as she emerged through the French doors, open to let in some fresh air. “I mean, we mustn’t split up the love birds.” She glanced towards Kitty and Tommy.

  Kitty nodded. “Please do.”

  Hetty took a seat on the piano stool. “Right, what shall we start with?” She asked the merrymakers as they gathered around her.

  “The Twelve days of Christmas,” shouted Ashley from behind the bar, “our Cornish version. A Pasty in a Pear Tree.”

  THE END