A Christmas Candle

by Katie Flynn

  ‘I’m sure she’ll come,’ Eve said, crossing her fingers behind her back. ‘After all, if the weather’s bad we can play games in the house, and that’ll be fun, won’t it?’

  ‘A birthday party? Just for me?’ Lily’s astonishment seemed real, but Eve was aware that almost everyone in the village had been let into the secret and guessed Lily knew as much about the ‘surprise’ party as everyone else. For one thing, presents had had to be bought and wartime shortages made this a mammoth task. But they had managed, each one of them, to get Lily something they knew she would like. Chrissie, Eve and Connie had put their money together and managed to find a small bar of scented soap, to be presented with a soft and fluffy face flannel made out of an old towel and carefully hemmed by Eve’s willing hand. Miriam had decided on a small bar of chocolate which she had been saving for some such occasion. The farmhands presented their colleague with flowers from their own gardens and the blacksmith, though he was unable to attend the party, had nailed a horseshoe to the attic bedroom door, assuring all and sundry that it would bring Lily good luck.

  The Armstrongs were not expected to arrive at the farm until late afternoon, but to Chrissie’s joy they arrived before lunch, having accepted a lift from a friend in an official car. The children happened to be out in the farmyard when the shiny black vehicle drew to a halt no more than a hundred yards from the farm gate, and naturally enough they raced up the lane to see who was calling. It might be a ministry inspector, but they soon discovered it was no such thing. A handsome man in naval uniform sporting a great deal of gold braid got out of the car and went round to open the front passenger door just as Bill Armstrong got out of the back seat and grinned at the assembled company, for even Auntie Bess and Uncle Reg had come out of the house to see who their visitor was.

  Eleanor Armstrong, looking incredibly smart in a navy suit and crisp white blouse, addressed herself to Auntie Bess. ‘We’re awfully early, but Captain Carruthers offered us a lift and says he’ll call for us at around six o’clock, if that’s all right? The car Bill was going to borrow fell through and I didn’t fancy the bus – it’s always dirty and crowded – so when the captain offered to pick us up as well we just couldn’t resist, could we, Bill?’ she concluded, smiling blindingly at Captain Carruthers.

  ‘No indeed; we’re very grateful,’ Bill said, but Eve, hovering at the back of the small crowd, thought he sounded less than delighted. Before she could begin to wonder just who this Captain Carruthers was Uncle Reg surged forward, a hand held out.

  ‘How do you do, captain? It’s awfully good of you to bring our guests, and if you would like to join in the birthday fun you’re very welcome. My wife has prepared enough food for an army – or should I say the Navy? – so one extra is no problem and you would be very welcome.’

  Captain Carruthers smiled, showing gleaming white teeth. He was a handsome man with a neatly trimmed black beard and bright blue eyes, reminding Eve of the picture of the sailor on a packet of Player’s cigarettes. ‘It’s very kind of you, but I have an appointment, rather an important one, in the dockyards at Devonport, so I’m afraid I can’t accept your invitation.’

  ‘Surely you’ve time for a quick cup of tea?’ Aunt Bess suggested. ‘’Tis fresh made.’

  The captain smiled and nodded. ‘Well, five minutes won’t hurt.’ Once inside the Favershams’ large and homely kitchen he glanced around the table then turned to Eleanor Armstrong. ‘I’m warning you, young woman, that if you ruin your uniform playing party games I’ll have you on a charge. I did tell you to wear old clothes, but would you listen?’

  Lily struck in. She was laughing. ‘Captain Carruthers is right, Mrs Armstrong, but I’ve a spare pair of dungarees and wellingtons which you can borrow. They’ll keep you clean as a new whistle.’ She stood up. ‘You might as well come up to my room right now and try them on, but we’re about the same size, I would say. Want to give it a go?’

  Eleanor pouted but agreed that it might be sensible and Auntie Bess glanced at the clock on the mantelpiece. ‘Lunch in ten minutes,’ she reminded them, handing Captain Carruthers a large tin mug of tea. ‘Off with you, young ladies.’

  By the time the table had been set for two extra diners Lily and Eleanor were on their way downstairs, both dressed in Land Army working clothes, and when they came into the kitchen and stood side by side Bill Armstrong laughed and said they could be twins. Both had golden hair, though Lily’s was more wheat-coloured than her companion’s, and they were roughly the same height and build.

  Bill pulled out a chair for his wife just as Captain Carruthers stood up. ‘Best be on my way or I’ll be in trouble,’ he said breezily. He turned to Eleanor. ‘My meeting will be over by eight o’clock at the latest so I’ll pick you up soon after that.’ He grinned at Bill. ‘I rely on you, old fellow, to see your lovely lady doesn’t keep me waiting.’ He raised his hand in a mocking salute. ‘Have a grand party; I only wish I could join you, but, as everyone keeps reminding us, there is a war on. Goodbye everyone; nice to have met you. No, don’t get up, or I shall be in trouble for delaying this good lady’s lunch.’

  He grinned round at the assembled company and left the kitchen, shutting the door firmly behind him.

  Auntie Bess was about to give Chrissie the plates to hand out when she noticed his grubby little paws. ‘Look at your hands, young man,’ she said. ‘And that jersey is filthy. I know I said old clothes but I didn’t mean that old.’ She turned to Eleanor. ‘I hope you don’t think I’d let him sit down to a meal in that state. Normally I’d send him to the scullery, but there’s a bit of soap in his room and a clean shirt.’ She turned back to Chrissie. ‘Off with you and don’t come back down until you’re clean as a new pin.’

  Chrissie grinned and slipped off his chair, and was already climbing the second flight of stairs when Eleanor suddenly clapped a hand to her forehead. ‘Oh, what an idiot I am!’ she said. ‘I left Lily’s birthday present in Skip’s car. I hope he hasn’t left!’ She jumped to her feet and ran out of the kitchen before Lily, who had stood up as well, could call her back.

  ‘What a good thing it’s a cold meal,’ she said teasingly, sitting down once more. ‘I’m sure my present could have waited, though why Mrs Armstrong bought me anything in the first place I can’t imagine … although of course I’m extremely grateful,’ she added, smiling at Bill.

  Bill grinned. ‘An impetuous lady, my wife,’ he said proudly. ‘She clearly wanted you to have it at once. She’s like that; she can never bear any delay …’

  He was interrupted by the return of his wife, who came breathlessly back into the kitchen, pink-cheeked from running but waving a small parcel triumphantly. ‘Caught him up before he’d gone more than a couple of yards,’ she said, and sank into her chair just as Chrissie came clattering down the last flight.

  ‘I’m clean, I’m clean!’ he announced, taking his own place at the table. He glanced across to where Lily sat, a brown paper parcel in her hand. ‘Is that from my mummy and daddy? Are you going to open it now?’

  After lunch everyone played various party games until they were called in for the birthday tea. Auntie Bess had done wonders, Eve knew. It was simply not possible to buy dried fruit or exciting fillings for sandwiches, but looking at the laden table, Eve thought, you would never know it was wartime. The sandwiches contained delicious mashed-up egg, cucumber from the post office’s ancient greenhouse or tomatoes from the same source. There was one of Auntie Bess’s famous rabbit pies and any number of crumbles and tarts made from the fruit which was ripening in the orchard. Eve noticed that Johnny and Robbo scarcely waited for Uncle Reg to give the word before they began to reach for the food. Eve had often suspected from the way the boys ate at Drake’s Farm that even the breakfast Mrs Spindlebush provided did not compare with what Auntie Bess had to offer.

  When everyone had eaten their fill the plates were cleared and a beautiful birthday cake was carried in and placed reverently before Lily.

  ‘We couldn’t fin
d twenty-one birthday candles,’ Uncle Reg said apologetically. ‘But Mother found one in a dresser drawer, which is better than nothing, so I’m afraid you’ll have to make do with that.’ The candle was lit, Lily blew it out with her first attempt, the big knife was plunged into the heart of the cake and the slices were handed round. Even Connie, who seldom congratulated Auntie Bess on her cooking, admitted that the cake was downright pre-war, despite the substitution of candied carrot for the unobtainable dried fruit. It was typical of Lily that she took a couple of slices to be given to Mr Pryde and his wife, saying that they should enjoy their share of the cake in return for her lucky horseshoe.

  Chrissie was alight with happiness, his beaming face almost outdoing Lily’s. As they crossed the farmyard he caught at Eve’s arm.

  ‘Wasn’t it a good idea to have a party for Lily?’ he enquired. ‘Everyone is having a wizard time …’ he puffed out his small chest, ‘and it’s all because of me. And Mummy’s enjoying herself, isn’t she? Can we tell her the party was my idea? She’ll be so proud of her boy.’

  Eve neglected to point out that Eleanor had already been told by both Auntie Bess and herself that the party had been Chrissie’s idea, and though she had smiled absently and said what a clever boy he was she had not shown any particular interest.

  ‘Have Daddy and Uncle Reg finished the washin’ up yet?’ he went on, fortunately not waiting for Eve’s reply to his previous question. ‘When everything’s cleared away we’re going to have a game of rescue – what some of the others call Relievio. Mummy and Daddy are going to join in; Daddy, Connie and you will be the searchers and the rest of us must hide. Connie says we can hide anywhere on the farm or in the woods but not in the house because that’s where you go when one of the hunters finds you. Doesn’t it sound great, Evie? Fancy Mummy saying she’ll play as well! I always knew Daddy would. I’m glad I thought of this party because it’s already been lots of fun and it goes on getting better and better. And it was my idea, wasn’t it, Evie? Not just the party but the sort of game that grown-ups can enjoy as well. And even Connie is having a lovely time, she told me so. The hunters will count up to a hundred, quite slowly, so the hiders will have plenty of time to choose a good place where they won’t be seen. Lily says we shouldn’t hide in a bunch but one by one.’ He puffed out his chest again and beamed up at Eve. ‘Bet I’m the last one to be found because I’m the smallest and can get into the tiniest spaces. And Mummy will be found first because she doesn’t know the countryside like we do, does she, Evie?’

  ‘True,’ Eve said. ‘They’ve just finished washing up and they want me to get everyone into the kitchen so they can start the game, because Mummy and Daddy will have to leave as soon as Captain Carruthers arrives.’

  By the time they re-entered the farmhouse everyone had assembled and Bill was running through the rules of the game.

  ‘When a hunter finds you and puts a hand on you you’re out and have to return to the kitchen. The last one to be found will be the winner.’

  Very soon the hiders had disappeared as if by magic. Bill, Eve and Connie completed the count and strode into the farmyard, shouting, ‘We’re coming to ge-et you!’

  ‘You two girls check the outbuildings whilst I search the garden,’ Bill went on. ‘Then we’ll start on the woodland. We’ll divide it into sections and I bet you that in twenty minutes or so we’ll all be back in the kitchen. Mrs Faversham – Auntie Bess to you – has made a big batch of scones and there will be mugs of cocoa for losers as well as winners. Only we must get a move on because Mummy and I will have to leave very soon.’

  ‘All right,’ Eve said briefly, hiding her disappointment that her father would not be searching with her. ‘I’ll do the lofts and the stables while Connie does the cowsheds and the shippon.’ She set off at brisk pace and soon found her first victim. Johnny had made himself a nest in the hay and was lying there comfortably reading a book and eating an apple. He grinned at Eve as she slapped him on the shoulder and shouted ‘Gotcha!’ and scrambled out of the hayloft, making straight for the kitchen and the beautiful scones which he knew awaited him there.

  Having toured the farmyard the three of them took to the woodland and Eve’s next find there was Chrissie. He had tucked himself away in a hollow tree and Eve was about to grab a protruding foot when her conscience smote her. Chrissie was only a child, after all, and to be found amongst the very first would take some of the pleasure out of the day for him. So she walked past the tree and continued to look to left and right, trying to make as little noise as possible. She spotted Robbo under the bridge across the stream and then, in a mossy dell, saw Miriam’s red skirt as the other girl shrank deeper into the cover of ferns and brambles. In the end Chrissie was the last to be discovered, though Eve guessed that their father too may well have seen that protruding foot and decided, as she had herself, to pretend otherwise.

  When they were all assembled in the kitchen eating scones and drinking cocoa Bill gave a deep sigh, glanced at his watch and announced that the captain would be reaching the main road at any minute.

  ‘It’s been the best day I could possibly imagine,’ he said. He turned to Lily. ‘The best day ever,’ he repeated with a grin. ‘You’ve made me feel young again; I wish you were twenty-one three hundred and sixty-five days of the year. But one thing is certain: I’ll never forget today if I live to be a hundred.’ He turned to his wife. ‘You’d better take off your borrowed plumage, my love, otherwise Captain Carruthers may find himself with the wrong young woman at her desk tomorrow.’

  Eve saw her mother stiffen and knew the comparison was not a welcome one. She gave a secret smile: although Eleanor would never admit it, she was nowhere near as beautiful as Lily. Eleanor’s bright gold hair came out of a bottle and there was a hardness about her features, but Eve knew it would never do to say so.

  Once the Armstrongs were gone the party broke up quite quickly, the farmhands disappearing to their cottages and the Spindlebush boys heading back up the lane to their beds. Eve looked at Chrissie’s half-closed eyes, picked him up and told Auntie Bess that he was far too sleepy to sit chatting and drinking cocoa.

  ‘I’ll take him upstairs and let him lie in tomorrow,’ she said. ‘And for once he won’t complain, because I’m telling you, Auntie Bess, if I’m to get my chores done tomorrow I ought to be in bed myself the moment I’ve tucked Chrissie in, which will be just as soon as I can manage.’ She was as good as her word, tumbling the little boy into his bed the moment he had had a quick wash and donned his pyjamas.

  ‘Night night, Evie,’ he said drowsily. ‘Weren’t it a wonderful day, though? I’m so glad that Mummy and Daddy came to the party. Wasn’t it nice of Captain Carruthers to bring them? Lily must have been glad too because she rushed out to say thank you just before he left. I was watching from the window and I saw her leaning into his car and giving him a big kiss.’

  Eve had been about to turn away but her little brother’s words stopped her in her tracks. ‘She kissed him?’ she asked incredulously. ‘But she doesn’t know him! When was this, Chrissie? I’m sure you must have got confused. Grown-ups don’t kiss other grown-ups unless they know them awfully well. It can’t have been Lily.’

  ‘Well, it was, because she was in her uniform. And she did know him,’ Chrissie said drowsily. ‘She put her arms round his neck and they had an oogly-googly kiss; honest, Evie, they did.’

  Eve shrugged. The ways of adults were strange to her but she supposed that sometimes people who hardly know each other might exchange kisses of thanks, or of greeting or farewell. But why would Lily be kissing anyone except, of course, Colin? The more she thought about Chrissie’s words the more unlikely they seemed. She thought she knew Lily pretty well by now and it was just not in character for the other girl to go cuddling a virtual stranger.

  On the very verge of sleep, she remembered how muddled Chrissie could get if he stayed up past his usual bedtime. That must be the answer. Chrissie had imagined the whole thing and her best cour
se now would be to forget all about it. Satisfied, Eve slept at last.

  Chapter Eight

  Auntie Bess cleared away the last of the uneaten food – not that there was very much – and then settled down at the table with a nice hot cup of cocoa before her, smiling as she did so. Peace had descended at last, leaving just her, Uncle Reg and the land girls in the kitchen.

  ‘The pair of you worked like the Trojans you are,’ she told them. ‘Oh, I know it was all supposed to be great fun, but fun has its price and you’ll pay it in tiredness.’ She chuckled. ‘In half an hour there won’t be one person still awake at Drake’s Farm and that’s as it should be.’ She turned to Lily, eyebrows rising. ‘Well, how does it feel to be twenty-one years old? I only wish we could have found ourselves a magic carpet and brought your young man home on it, if only for half an hour. But this war can’t go on for ever, or so I tell myself, and you and your Colin will be together sooner than you may think.’

  Lily stood up and went round the table to give Auntie Bess a kiss on her round, pink cheek.

  ‘Thanks for a wonderful day,’ she said. ‘As you say, it would have been marvellous if Colin could have come, but so long as he’s safe and happy I don’t grumble.’

  ‘And now it’s time you two girls went to bed, otherwise you won’t be much use to anyone tomorrow,’ Auntie Bess said. She held out both hands to help Uncle Reg to his feet. ‘We’ve all had a wonderful day, thanks to you, Lily my dear, but the party’s finished now and tomorrow the work starts all over again.’

  Lily lay on her back in the darkness staring at the ceiling, which was low and covered in fine cracks. Ever since she had arrived at the farm and been installed in the attic bedroom she had planned to get hold of some whitewash from somewhere so that she could erase the lines. But gradually she’d grown to rather enjoy the many pictures which her imagination created above her head. There was an old man with a pipe in his mouth and a bulgy woman aboard what looked like a ship, and now Lily found she had no desire to get rid of them. Instead, she made up stories about them, though usually not for long since sleep came rapidly when one lived an active outdoor life.