James addressed George. ‘Will Mandy go to prison?’
‘She’s being held in an institution. Difficult to get any sense out of her but, in her lucid moments, we’ve got it all down.’
‘H-has everyone gone from y-your place?’
‘Juliet returned to Cornwall yesterday. GJ and Catherine are staying with her to celebrate Christmas. John and his father have returned to the Major’s house. He’s thinking of moving.’
Bert huffed. ‘Too ashamed to face everyone.’
Donovan Delaney placed two chairs at the end of the booth. James smiled and turned. Threading their way through the crowded pub were Harry and Oliver. Donovan’s wife Kate hammered on a tin tray with a wooden spoon. The villagers hushed.
‘Take your seats! Dinners are coming out now.’
Every available space was taken by those who wanted to share in this unique experience. The members of the WI, which included most of the women seated in the pub, had been allocated specific jobs for this Christmas feast. Anne and Beth peeled the sprouts; Helen Jackson cooked the numerous hams that Graham had supplied. Donovan took responsibility for roasting the chickens and Dorothy Forbes and Graham’s wife, Sarah, had peeled the potatoes and parsnips. The Snoops Sisters, not wishing to be outdone, had made the stuffing and gravy.
The anticipation was almost tangible. Kate dashed amongst the tables, lighting candles. Many of the women, including Beth and Anne, rushed out to the back of the pub to help bring out the meals. Bob Tanner sang ‘We Wish You a Merry Christmas’ and, as everyone joined in, the women distributed the food. In ten minutes, all the villagers had a substantial plate full chicken, roast potatoes, vegetables and gravy, in front of them. Stephen stood up to say a brief prayer and then the pub buzzed with chatter and laughter. They pulled crackers and read out their jokes and placed paper hats on their heads.
After catching up on the news, Oliver took a swig from his beer.
‘So, Dad, when did you suspect Mandy? Was it quite early on?’
‘At first, I found the whole thing baffling. I couldn’t understand what the link was between Olivia Dupree and the Carltons and, of course, there wasn’t one. Mandy was not only quite mad but clever with it. Her mother collected those awful bottles and a number of them were from chemists’ shops.’
‘With the poison still in them?’
He explained that old bottles were just thrown out and Mandy’s mother had unknowingly stocked her house full of the stuff. ‘The poisoning of Olivia Dupree had been a test. There was no love lost between them. She’d more or less told us that at the start. Mandy had read up on doses and decided to give Olivia the night off.’
‘But her real target was the Major?’
‘Yes.’ He outlined to the group how Mandy had found her grandfather’s diary and the disturbing entries she’d read. The old man, on leaving the army, had continued writing a diary and eventually named William Carlton at the end of his ramblings. ‘He was still scared Carlton would come after him so the diaries were never shown to anyone.’
‘B-but it all g-got too much for him?’
‘Never right when he came back from France. The doctors sent him home because he had family; they thought he’d be better there but he just got worse and shot himself. His son bore the brunt of the depression and became affected by it. He decided to end it all and then his wife poisoned herself. A sad state of affairs all round.’
‘S-so Mandy pretended to be E-Enid while she s-stalked the Major?’
‘That’s right. When the postmistress started asking questions, she gave her a name and a reason for being there.’
‘I wonder,’ said Anne as she sliced into her parsnip, ‘if madness is hereditary.’
‘Certainly seems like it,’ Beth put in. ‘But if you’re surrounded by family who are a little unhinged, perhaps you can’t help but be affected.’
James agreed. ‘Thinking back, Beth and I both witnessed little mood swings here and there; some short temper, but you don’t think it’s anything more than that.’
George sipped his water, scowling at James’ beer with envy. ‘It’s a wonder Carlton wasn’t found to be a coward sooner.’
‘Yes, he certainly played a perilous game.’ He cut into his chicken. ‘Will he face charges for cowardice?’
George shrugged. ‘I’ve no idea. I’d be surprised if he didn’t have that commendation taken away.’
‘And where did Enid disappear to?’ asked Anne.
‘She did exactly as she said she was going to. Walked out of her job and was happy to have annoyed Olivia by doing so,’ replied James. ‘She walked into the arms of her chap, Derek, and back to her parents in Devon. And, I think a dice with death softened Olivia. Bert?’
‘That’s right. I ’eard she’s spending Christmas Day with her mum and dad.’
‘Oh what a relief,’ said Beth. ‘Her parents must be thrilled.’
With their dinners finished, the villagers took it in turns to take their plates through to the back room. They scraped any leftovers into a huge bin that Graham would use to feed his pigs. Meanwhile, Kate was serving out portions of Christmas pudding. James, along with Philip and Stephen, joined them.
‘Anything we can do to help?’
She wiped her hands on her apron and thrust a tray into his hands. ‘Put those bowls of brandy butter, cream and custard on trays and set one of each on every table.’
They did as they were told. For the second time, Kate rattled a battered tray and ordered everyone to take their seats. Donovan stood on his chair with a bottle of brandy.
‘We’re to be thanking Lord Harrington’s granny for this recipe.’ As he spoke, several WI women came tripping out with Christmas puddings and spoons. They placed one on each table. ‘You’ve a small brandy on the table and a box of matches. Don’t be setting fire to my pub but I’ll appreciate you setting fire to your own pudding.’
Beth leapt up. ‘And don’t forget there are some sixpences in the pudding. Don’t break your teeth.’
As the flames lapped around the puddings, the villagers applauded. Charlie took a spoon and sliced into their table’s dessert and served equal portions all around.
‘I say, Charlie, you’re not too upset about Mandy, are you?’
‘I was to begin with but I sort of knew it wasn’t going to work. Those sudden mood swings upset the kids and that made my mind up.’
Anne, who sat the other side of him, patted his hand. ‘Someone will come along for you one day.’
He looked wistful. ‘I’m all right most of the time. Don’t you fret yourself about me.’ He looked at Beth. ‘You ready for your first stage appearance?’
Beth assured him she was as nervous as a fox being chased by the hounds. ‘But we’re sold out and the money is going to a good cause. And we have a special visitor.’
James explained about Private Fluff Irwin. ‘I think he’d probably enjoy it more sitting with the children.’
‘W-well, then, that’s what w-we’ll do.’
Beth snuggled up to him. ‘I’m proud of you, James, but please don’t confront a mad woman with a gun again. Promise me.’
He kissed her forehead. ‘I promise.’
‘A-and I’m pleased to s-say that, for once, I-I didn’t get coshed,’ Stephen said.
A chuckle rippled around the table.
Donovan shouted over the chatter. ‘Happy Christmas everyone!’
The villagers raised their glasses. ‘Happy Christmas!’
James sipped his Christmas ale and pecked Beth on the cheek. ‘Merry Christmas, darling.’
THE END
(See below for Grandma Alice Harrington’s Mince Pie filling and Gingerbread recipes)
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Grandma Harrington’s Mince Pie Filling and Gingerbr
ead Slices
MINCE PIE FILLING
Mince pies originated centuries ago and contained thirteen ingredients to represent Christ and his apostles. Unlike today’s mince, the old Georgian recipe actually contained meat!
1 cup minced beef
1/2 cup minced veal
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup raisins
1 cup currants
1 orange use zest and juice
1 lemon use zest and juice
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
pinch of black pepper
1 cup dates
Mix ingredients. Cover and let sit overnight. Place filling in pastry crusts. Glaze with egg yolk or milk and bake in the oven at 350F or gas mark 4 for 35-40 minutes.
GINGERBREAD SLICES
6oz butter
60z caster sugar
3 eggs
3oz black treacle
8oz flour
1 tspn mixed spice
1 tspn ground ginger
Pinch of baking power
Pinch of cinnamon
1oz blaked almonds
3 tablespoons milk
Set the oven to 350F or gas mark 4. Cream the butter and sugar and add the eggs, beating them in well.
Sift all the dry ingredients together and fold into the mixture with the treacle.
Fold in the almonds and milk.
Pour into an 8 inch tin.
Bake for 45 minutes.
Lord James Harrington and the Christmas Mystery Page 22