On Christmas Day

by Rosie James

  Christmas day being on a Friday, it had been decided that the rents should be collected a day early, so as soon as Lexi had finished her performance at the Pump Room, Johnny met her outside and the two began walking the familiar route together.

  The weather was atrocious – as it had been for most of the month – with howling winds and perpetual rainfall. It had even been forecast that there might be snow before long. But to Johnny and Lexi none of that mattered. They were together again. They’d seen so little of each other in the past few months. He looked down at her.

  ‘You gave everyone a wonderful afternoon’s entertainment today, Lexi,’ he said, ‘and they all joined in the carols with such gusto!’

  ‘Yes, people do love the carols,’ Lexi said, trying to raise her voice above the howling wind, ‘but that’s the last time for this year. I’m not due to sing again until early January, and not only that but the shop is closed until Monday, so I’ve got three whole days off! I shall be getting lazy!’

  Johnny grinned. ‘That’s about the last thing you’ll ever be, Lexi,’ he said.

  ‘There’s always something magical about Christmas Eve, isn’t there, Johnny,’ Lexi said, skipping aside to avoid a huge puddle, ‘Everyone seems so happy and wanting to be friendly, even this year, with the war on,’ she added.

  It was true. Despite the bad news, the pubs were still doing good business and there was an air of jollity, with little lighted Christmas trees in some of the windows. The two hurried on to finish the rounds as quickly as possible,though they were frequently delayed by being offered a tangerine or a mince pie from one or two of the tenants.

  The only thing spoiling Lexi’s happiness was that a few days ago they’d received a letter from Albert to say that he was unavoidably detained in Ireland and would not be with them for Christmas – but still, he’d said he would definitely be home before too long.

  Cecilia, meanwhile, had received the news with her usual shrug of the shoulders – she’d learned early on that she’d survive without him. Besides, she had her children, and she’d make sure they had as good a Christmas as she could manage. The cottage was festooned with little decorations Lexi had bought at the shop, there were enough presents to go into the stockings, and over the weeks Cecilia had been saving up extra special food items to go into the larder. There was also a small leg of pork for their Christmas dinner.

  When Lexi and Johnny got back to Grey Gables, Anna was just putting the turkey into the oven to cook slowly overnight, and she nodded to herself. That big bird was going to be tender and succulent for their dinner tomorrow. Straightening up, she bit her lip for a second. Yes, it was Thursday – but it was Christmas Eve, for heaven’s sake, not any old Thursday! Surely Mr McCann could have made an exception by staying home tonight. But no, not him. He’d driven off, as usual, saying he’d be back late.

  Interrupting her thoughts, the door opened and Anna turned quickly. ‘Oh, come in quickly, the pair of you!’ she exclaimed, as Johnny pushed Lexi in front of him into the kitchen. ‘What a dreadful night! You must both be soaked!’ She stood back and glanced at them and their obvious closeness. Every second that Lexi hadn’t been working, she and Johnny had been inseparable … but of course they always had been, hadn’t they, ever since childhood. It was true that they were still very young – Lexi wouldn’t be fifteen until next month – but that didn’t matter with some couples. Anna had herself only been that age when she’d met her dearest Leonard, and he just a year older. They had been meant for each other, if only fate had not intervened.

  As for Alfred – no such consistency with him, Anna thought. Everyone knew that Alfred had been more than friendly with several young women in the past, though he’d never brought them to the house. And since the boys had been home this holiday, he had spent most evenings in town, then often not getting up until very late in the mornings. Still, he had accompanied Mr McCann on several site visits which had pleased Anna’s employer very much indeed.

  ‘Lexi, will you stay and have some mince pies with us before you go home?’ Anna said now, and Lexi shook her head.

  ‘No thanks, Anna,’ she said. ‘I must go back – we have things to do and two very excitable children to get to sleep before Father Christmas arrives!’

  Walking back with some difficulty against the overpowering wind, Johnny held on to Lexi tightly. ‘I wish I could wave a magic wand so that it was just us two spending Christmas Day, and all the other days together,’ he said. ‘But that’s selfish, isn’t it?’

  Lexi smiled up at him. ‘Yes, very selfish, Johnny McCann,’ she said, ‘but I feel exactly the same.’ She put her arms right around his waist. ‘Never mind – perhaps it will be just the two of us one day. You will be a famous writer, and I shall have bought my mother her big house. Do you think those things will ever happen for us, Johnny?’

  He paused thoughtfully before answering. ‘I don’t know for sure, Lexi,’ he said, ‘but what I am sure about is that you will never give up on your dreams, while I may need a small miracle for mine to come true.’

  Chapter Seventeen

  In the shop, Lexi glanced at the new calendar on the wall. It was the second week of January, the start of a year which most anticipated with increasing dread. The recent joy of the Christmas season had soon been replaced by continuing anxiety about the war and its effects here at home. Who could tell what lay ahead for everyone?

  But Lexi felt slightly ashamed to admit that she didn’t feel very troubled – about anything. Why should she? She was actually being paid to sing, she was earning a good wage here in her beloved sweet shop, and Mr McCann increasing her money for doing the rounds had meant that her income was now in a very healthy state. She, Lexi Martin, really had joined the world of work! Which is what she’d always intended.

  But none of that compared with the euphoria she felt about her and Johnny. Their love for each other seemed, quite quickly, to have blossomed into something extra special, and whatever the future held, Lexi knew that one day they would be together, and that it would be for always.

  She took her apron from the hook and tied it around her waist, making a sad face to herself as she did so – because Christmas was over. It had come and gone so quickly, too quickly, but she’d enjoyed every minute of it, despite Dada not being with them. Phoebe and Joe had loved what they’d found in their stockings, there’d been little presents to each other from Lexi and Cecilia, and the pork had been delicious – with some for Lucky, too.

  Not only that, but on Boxing Day Anna had invited them all to Grey Gables for afternoon tea. That had never happened before, and it had been very exciting for Phoebe and Joe, especially as Lucky had been allowed to go as well. Johnny had arranged some games for the children to play, with little prizes, and everyone had a cracker to pull. It had been a really fun occasion and even Alfred had stayed long enough to enjoy the wonderful spread before making his excuses to leave and go into town. But Mr McCann had not been there which was just as well, Lexi thought now, because he wouldn’t have liked all the noise they’d been making.

  It was ten past seven, and there’d been no customers in the shop yet. Lexi went across to the window and reached into her pocket for something she’d kept hidden.

  It was the present Johnny had given to her on his last evening before going back to college last Wednesday – and he’d given strict instruction that she was not to open it until her birthday. And that when she did, she should be by herself.

  Yesterday had been Lexi’s fifteenth birthday, and she’d had to wait until bedtime before she’d been alone for long enough to unwrap the present without anyone seeing. And now, looking at it again, she breathed in deeply.

  On a fine gold chain was a heart-shaped locket which opened to reveal two tiny picture frames, one of which showed Johnny smiling into the camera, the other one empty, and obviously meant to be for one of Lexi. And on the little card accompanying it, Johnny had written – ‘I am waiting for you, and this is how we will be one day, Lexi.
I promise.’

  Lexi wrapped the gift up again carefully, glad that Johnny had come to accept that their love for each other must be kept a secret – well, a secret from Cecilia. Then Lexi shrugged. Whatever her mother thought, the simple fact was that Lexi was now in her sixteenth year. She was a grown-up and she knew who, and what, she wanted from life.

  A little earlier than usual, Jean Lewis came through into the shop. She smiled at Lexi.

  ‘I could hear that you’ve been busy this morning, Lexi,’ the owner said, and Lexi nodded.

  ‘Yes, some people do seem to have a little money left after Christmas, Miss Lewis – but so far I’ve sold more tobacco than confectionery.’

  There was a pause before Jean Lewis spoke again. ‘Lexi … I have something to tell you, dear, and I was wondering whether you could pop in for a quick chat this evening after I close … just for ten minutes?’

  Lexi glanced at Miss Lewis quickly. This wasn’t like the usual request to come in late, this was different. And Lexi didn’t like the sound of it.

  Lexi didn’t often cry – in fact, she couldn’t remember the last time she did – but that evening she did weep tears of disappointment as she recounted the bad news. Phoebe and Joe were in bed when Lexi returned from her appointment with Jean Lewis, and Cecilia listened sympathetically as Lexi told her what had happened.

  ‘I can’t believe it, Mama,’ Lexi sniffed between sobs. ‘I can’t believe that Miss Lewis is going to sell the sweet shop after all these years. I mean, everyone knows her so well, and they all love her! I know they do, because so many of the customers have told me that she used to serve them when they were children themselves, and that she often gave them a free lollipop! It’s just never going to be the same with someone else there, is it, Mama?’ Lexi stopped to blow her nose. ‘It’s … it’s horrible to think that our beautiful sweet shop will be in other hands – and who knows what the people will be like! They won’t run the place like Miss Lewis does, I can tell you that!’ Lexi added.

  Cecilia couldn’t help smiling, even though she could see that Lexi was really upset. ‘But you wouldn’t expect Miss Lewis to keep working, not after the doctor told her that it would be most unwise,’ Cecilia suggested.

  ‘No, of course not.’ Lexi said, ‘but I would have done all the work for her! She could stay in bed all day, Mama, and just leave everything to me!’

  Lexi was crouching on the floor at her mother’s feet, and Cecilia smoothed her head gently. ‘Did Miss Lewis give you any other details?’

  ‘Yes – eventually she intends on moving away from Bath because the doctor has suggested that some sea air might solve her health problems,’ Lexi said dully. ‘But for the moment, an estate agent is handling the business, and a “For Sale” notice will be put up on the shop door at the end of this week.’ Lexi swallowed hard. ‘And that I can stay on until the premises are sold,’ she added, trying to stop her tears beginning again. ‘And Miss Lewis did say that she would let the new owners know about me, and that she will recommend they keep me on. But if they don’t, I shall just have to find another shop to employ me, that’s all. But how can I possibly be happy somewhere else after working for Miss Lewis?’

  Cecilia dropped a kiss on Lexi’s head. Her daughter might be growing up very quickly – far too quickly – but she still had a lot to learn. ‘Life is never predictable, darling,’ Cecilia said slowly. ‘Everyone must face up to disappointments and setbacks from time to time. You just have to accept what comes, and move on.’ She hesitated for a second. ‘And there is no need, Lexi, no need at all, for you to rush around trying to find other employment. The amount you give me from your earnings is very useful – but we can manage without it, I promise you. I know you are upset, but the important thing is that I don’t want you to worry, Lexi. To worry about money.’

  Lexi stood up slowly. Her mother just did not want to understand Lexi’s motivation to earn, and to save. To Cecilia, the big house her daughter was going to buy them one day was simply a myth, a youthful dream which had no grounds for hope or optimism. But realizing how her mother felt only made Lexi more defiant and determined.

  ‘If nothing else, I can always work at the laundry on the nights you’re not on,’ she said.

  ‘Over my dead body,’ Cecilia retorted.

  The weather that Easter was unpredictable and squally – rather like the present events in Lexi’s life.

  The first was that the shop was finally sold – after one or two early buyers pulled out – and the other was that Lexi would not be required to sing again at the Pump Room until the autumn.

  ‘This is nothing to do with your wonderful performances, Miss Martin,’ Mr. Larson had assured her. ‘But we do like to ring the changes for our guests, so a young flautist will be taking your place for the next few months.’

  The news, though unexpected, failed to upset Lexi too much because it couldn’t compare with the fact that she no longer worked at the sweet shop. Her sweet shop. She was still feeling as sad as if someone she loved had just died.

  Anyway, Mr. Larson had said that her singing could recommence in September.

  But neither of these two deflating matters in her life failed to quench Lex’s excitement that she’d soon be seeing Johnny again. Today was the Tuesday before Good Friday, and tomorrow the boys were being brought home for the Easter holidays and wouldn’t be going back to college for two whole weeks. Lexi hugged herself at the thought. Johnny would cheer her up, she knew that, because he had a way of putting things into perspective and of saying just the right thing at the right moment. He already knew about the shop being sold because she’d told him in one of her letters, but he didn’t know about her not singing at the Pump Room.

  That morning, after he’d finished his breakfast, Reynard went downstairs to the kitchen. Anna was at the sink, wiping out the frying pan and she turned to glance at her employer as he entered. Reynard seldom came downstairs at this time of day.

  ‘Ah, Anna,’ he said, in a particularly jovial tone of voice. ‘I was wondering whether you would be seeing Miss Martin today.’

  Anna put down her cloth. ‘It is possible Mr. McCann. But – do you have a message I can give her?’

  ‘Yes. Please tell her that I would like to see her in my study – this evening if possible, because I am fetching the boys tomorrow and I would like to see her before that. To discuss an important matter,’ he added obliquely.

  Anna raised her eyes briefly. Apart from his obvious pleasure that Alfred and Johnny would soon be home, her employer was in such a good mood it was almost painful. She’d noticed it the moment they had bid each other good morning. He’d been very complimentary about his breakfast – which she’d prepared exactly as always – and he’d actually smiled at her, showing his teeth for once. Which had been quite an odd visual experience when she thought about it.

  She turned back to the sink. ‘If Lexi doesn’t look in after her performance at the Pump Room, Mr McCann, I will pop over to the cottage and bring her back with me. By the way, what time will you and the boys be home tomorrow?’

  ‘Oh, during the afternoon,’ he replied airily. ‘And we’ll have the evening meal in the dining room together, as usual,’ he added.

  Something made the housekeeper speak again quickly. ‘And um … shall I invite Lexi to join us this time, Mr McCann?’ she enquired. ‘I am sure the boys would be delighted if she were here as well.’

  Reynard hesitated for only a second. ‘Well, why not?’ he said. ‘But first, I must see her this evening.’

  He left the room and Anna went over to her chair and sat down. Those were the oddest few moments she’d had with Mr McCann since she’d worked at Grey Gables. Today, he seemed to have turned into a happy man who was very pleased with himself, and with life in general.

  Well, long may that happy state continue, Anna thought. But she doubted it.

  At 8 o’clock that evening, Lexi opened the back door and let herself into the kitchen. Anna was sitting in her chair, m
aking her shopping list, and she glanced up, smiling.

  ‘I got your message that Mr McCann wants to see me today, Anna,’ Lexi said, ‘but have you any idea what for?’ She paused. ‘It can’t be about the rents because I know that everything was in order on Friday when I left.’

  Anna shook her head. ‘He hasn’t said anything to me, Lexi,’ she said. ‘But he is in an exceptionally good mood today, so I’m sure you’ve nothing to worry about. Just go on up to the study and find out – you know your way!’

  Lexi ran swiftly up the stairs, tapped on the study door and went in. Reynard was sitting in his swivel chair, and he turned and beckoned Lexi to come and sit in the low chair beside him. He came straight to the point.

  ‘Now then, Miss, er, Lexi … I expect you have been wondering what I have been doing with all your money,’ he said, and Lexi shot him a glance. If the truth be known, she hadn’t given it much thought since she’d handed it to Mr McCann all those months ago, because she knew that when the time came he would explain everything to her. She cleared her throat.

  ‘As a matter of fact, Mr McCann,’ she said, ‘I am afraid that I just sort of put that cash into a money box in my head, because although I cannot see it or touch it, I know that it is perfectly safe in your hands. Whatever has happened to it.’

  If Lexi had taken instructions on how to say the right thing at the right time, she could not have uttered anything more gratifying to Reynard McCann. He could barely suppress his pride at her remarks.

  ‘Well, that is very satisfying to hear,’ he said, ‘and I think you will yourself be very satisfied when I tell you that your shares have done very well, very well indeed.’ He paused, lapping up his own words. ‘My stockbroker has advised me that we should sell now, tomorrow – even though the shares are still on the rise. It might be pushing our luck to hang on any longer, but of course I need your agreement,’ Reynard added.