As Greg had given up smoking there was no point in buying him a packet of five Woodbines for his. If she could knit she would make them all a warm hat but that skill was beyond her. There were suggestions in the newspapers for presents that could be made at home. Somehow a rubber duck made from an old inner tube didn’t appeal, neither did a gas-mask case made from an old cereal packet. A trip to Romford market was out of the question as she was too busy on the farm. Then she found a box of bits and pieces in an old shoe box on top of the wardrobe Mum had used. There were garnet and onyx cufflinks which were perfect for the men and several bracelets and rings. None of these were valuable, made from gilt and paste, but ideal for a stocking gift for Mrs B.
The larder was groaning under the weight of festive food. Not only did they have a goose for the day itself but also a capon and a large gammon joint. Mrs B had been baking like a mad woman and there were biscuits, fairy cakes, pies and sausage rolls carefully wrapped in greaseproof paper and put in tins. It was below freezing in there so nothing should go off.
All three of them joined in with the decoration of the tree. Ellie had to balance on a chair to place the star on the very top whilst her dad steadied her with his hands on her waist.
‘Doesn’t that look a treat, Fred? Ever so lovely, and it fits in the corner just perfect,’ Mrs B gushed. ‘I don’t reckon there’s a better one in the neighbourhood. It’s a shame we can’t leave the curtains open so visitors can see it when they arrive.’
‘Down you get, love, don’t want you twisting your ankle, what with your young man, Jack and Neil coming tomorrow.’
‘Now the tree’s finished, I’m going to start on the other decorations. As most of them are yours, Mrs B, you decide where they’re going to go and I’ll put them up. I’ve got drawing-pins and sticky tape ready to go.’
When the house was finished it looked like something from a children’s picture book. ‘Dad, it seems a shame nobody else is going to see the house like this especially as it will probably be the one and only time. Why don’t we have a bit of party on Boxing Day?’
‘If Mabel is happy then you go ahead and organise it. Not anything fancy mind, just a few folks coming round for a drink and a bite to eat.’
When had Mrs B become Mabel? Everyone called him by his first name, he didn’t answer to Mr Simpson unless forced to. But as far as she knew this was the first time he’d called the housekeeper Mabel.
‘I’ll go and ask her. Why don’t you make a list of the people you’d like to come and then I can start ringing those with telephones and then drop a note into the others. I think it’s safe enough to drive as there hasn’t been any fresh snow for a few days.’
Mrs B was thrilled at the prospect of having a bit of a do on Boxing Day. ‘We’ve got so much food that we’ll never eat it all ourselves, not in a month of Sundays.’
‘Dad’s making me a list of those he wants to invite. Is there anyone you would like to ask? Perhaps some of your friends from the WI might like to come.’
‘Ta ever so, Ellie. That would be lovely. How many do you think I can ask?’
‘Well, there’s six of us and I think that Dad will want to ask the men who work here and their families and probably his three tenants and their families.’ She counted on her fingers and pulled a face. ‘I think that will be about nine children, three babes in arms and ten adults.’
‘This is a grand big house, Ellie. If we use the sitting room, dining room and the room with the piano that nobody goes in, there’s ample room for fifty.’
‘Golly! That’s an awful lot of people to feed – have we got enough for them to drink as well?’
Her father joined them. ‘Here you are, Ellie love, just the usual suspects.’
‘Mrs B is going to ask some of her friends, that’s alright, isn’t it?’
‘The more the merrier. I don’t want you to spend all your time in the kitchen, Mabel. You’re one of the family now and I want you to enjoy yourself.’
The housekeeper coloured. ‘All three of my friends are on their own like me and they’ll help me with the catering. The boys can take care of drinks. Mind you, it will have to be cordial or tea as there isn’t nearly enough beer for everyone.’
‘Don’t you worry about that. There’s still three cases of wine and one of what your mum called, "assorted spirits" in the shed. Jack said he’s bringing a couple of crates of pale ale as his contribution, so there’ll be plenty.’
She was making the cocoa when Mrs B came in with a small box piled high with oddments. ‘I found these at my old cottage the other day, love, and thought some of the things would be prefect for your stockings.’
‘Thank you, exactly what I wanted. With a couple of these in each they will be full up.’ Impulsively she reached out and hugged Mrs B who returned the embrace enthusiastically. ‘You take your drink, lovie, and go up to bed. Here’s your bottle, all nice and hot.’
‘I will, thank you again. It’s so nice having you here. This will be my best Christmas ever.’
There was no need for Ellie to ring anybody the next day as Mrs B and her dad took care of that. She didn’t go to bed early but stayed up so she
