Part 7 (1/2)

Karen slipped out of bed and put on her dressing gown. 'Come downstairs with Mummy, darling,' she said, taking Peter's hand and picking up the pillowcase. 'We'll leave grumpy old Daddy to sleep.'

When all the presents were opened, she left Peter playing with his new toys in the living room and went into the kitchen to make a pot of tea. Adrey was already up, having risen early to make what she called kerststol, which turned out to be some kind of fruit loaf traditionally eaten at Christmas for breakfast.

'Peter loves his new teddy,' Karen told her. 'It looks expensive. You really shouldn't have.'

Adrey turned with a smile. 'He's such a good little boy. I wanted to give him something nice for Sinterklaas.' She reached into the pocket of her dressing gown and produced a small, brightly wrapped parcel. 'I get this for you too. You and Simon have been so kind and welcoming.'

Karen was surprised. Opening the package, she found a tiny brooch in the shape of a Dutch clog, encrusted with crystals. 'Oh, Adrey, how sweet,' she said. 'It'll look great on my black dress. Thank you so much. There's a little something from Simon and me under the tree. We'll be opening those later.'

Putting the kettle on, she thought how pretty Adrey was. In her red dressing gown and with her fresh complexion and her long blonde hair hanging down her back in a thick plait, she looked like a Christmas angel. Karen turned and gave her a quick hug. 'I know you must be missing your family today,' she said. 'And you must feel free to telephone them.'

'Thank you, Karen. I would like to do that very much.'

The kitchen door opened to admit Simon in his old navy dressing gown. His hair tousled and his jaw dark with stubble, he still looked grumpy. Glancing at the two women he enquired, 'Any tea going?'

'I'm just making it,' Karen said, reaching for the teapot.

Adrey touched Karen's arm. 'I go now to make the telephone call to my family, if it is permitted?'

'Of course, help yourself and take as long as you like,' Karen added.

'Thank you. Then I take Peter upstairs to wash and dress.'

Simon slumped at the table. 'Her family does live in Holland, you know,' he growled.

'I am aware of that.'

'Now you've given her carte blanche she'll probably be on the b.l.o.o.d.y phone all morning.'

'No she won't. She's not the type to take advantage.' Karen poured two cups of tea. 'Cut the poor girl some slack, Simon. This is her first Christmas away from home.'

Simon looked at the loaf, cooling on a wire rack on the worktop. 'What's that thing?'

'It's called kerststol. Adrey got up early specially to make it. It's a kind of fruit loaf. They eat it for breakfast in Holland at Christmas.'

Simon sniffed. 'Do they? Well, it smells OK anyway.'

'I'm going to put the turkey on in a minute. If you want, you can help with the vegetables.'

He snorted. 'No way. You know I'm all thumbs when it comes to domestic stuff.'

'All right, then, if Adrey is going to help me, you can take Peter to the park after breakfast.'

When everyone else was upstairs getting dressed, Karen took the telephone into the kitchen and dialled Susan's number.

'Mum it's not too late to change your mind,' she said. 'There'll be plenty for all of us including your friend.'

'That's perfectly all right,' Susan said. 'I have everything ready here. Ted and I are going to have a lovely day, thank you.'

'Oh, Mum, you're not still cross, are you? You know I'm only thinking of you.'

'I don't think that's quite true, Karen, but please don't worry. Maybe I'll see you sometime in the New Year.'

'Please, Mum, don't be like that,' Karen begged. 'Look, why don't you come round for a drink tomorrow bring Ted too. I could make a brunch with some of the leftovers.'

'I'll eat my own leftovers if it's all the same to you,' Susan said. 'I'm not cross, Karen, just a little disappointed by your att.i.tude. But don't worry. I'm perfectly all right and looking forward to having someone to cook for again.'

'But, Mum ...'

'No, I'm not being awkward, I mean it, Karen, I'm fine. Ted and I are going to have a really nice Christmas and I hope you do too. Goodbye, dear. Give my love to Simon and little Peter.'

'Oh thank you for the presents, Mum.'

'I'm glad you liked them. Thank you for yours. The scarf will go beautifully with my new coat. Happy Christmas, dear.'

'Happy Christmas, Mum.' Karen said faintly. There was a lump in her throat as she switched the phone off. She hated falling out with her mother. Sometimes lately it seemed that she couldn't do right for doing wrong.

Chapter Eleven.

Ted arrived on the dot of twelve. Susan answered his ring on the entry-phone and pressed the b.u.t.ton that released the main door to the flats. Ripping off her ap.r.o.n, she took a quick look in the hall mirror to check that her newly set hair was still in place.

When she opened the door she found him beaming outside, a huge bunch of chrysanthemums in one hand and a carrier bag containing a bottle of sherry and another of champagne in the other. He handed both to her. Susan blushed with pleasure.

'Oh, Ted, how thoughtful. But you really shouldn't have.'

'Not at all, my dear. It's so good of you to invite me.' He took off his overcoat and hung it on one of the pegs inside the door. Susan saw that he wore his best dark-grey suit with a pristine white s.h.i.+rt and tasteful blue tie. She thought he looked very handsome.

'Happy Christmas, Ted,' she said. 'Come through and make yourself comfortable. Everything's almost ready so we can have a drink and relax for half an hour.'

'Oh, but I thought I was going to help.'

Susan smiled. 'It's all right. I haven't been up since dawn. I did most of the preparation yesterday afternoon.'

Ted followed her through to the living room and looked around appreciatively while Susan fetched gla.s.ses and poured the sherry. A cosy fire was burning in the hearth and in the centre of the room, the table was laid with her best gla.s.s and cutlery, set off by red napkins and crackers by each place setting. A Christmas tree stood in one corner, its coloured lights twinkling, and holly was draped around the mirror above the fireplace. There were red candles on the mantelpiece, their flickering flames reflected in the mirror.

'It all looks very festive,' he said, rubbing his hands and holding them out to the fire. 'Nice and warm too.' Susan handed him a gla.s.s of sherry.

'Here's to a happy Christmas,' she said.

Lunch was a great success. It was some years since Susan had cooked Christmas dinner for a man and she had loved every minute of it. Her reward was seeing him clear his plate with obvious relish.

'I'd forgotten how good home-cooked food tasted,' he said, pus.h.i.+ng his chair back from the table and sighing. 'I don't think I'll need to eat again for at least a week!'

Susan laughed. 'I'm sure you will,' she said. 'I hope so anyway. I've got Christmas cake and mince pies lined up for later on.'