“I say, that’s quite a fielder you have there. Ought to recruit him for the next fishermen-versus-visitors match.” Colin leaned down and patted the dog’s head, then wiped his glove with a handkerchief.
Georgie said, “Unfortunately, he would field balls for both teams, indiscriminately.”
“Perhaps we could train him.”
“He is not highly trainable, I’ve found.”
“Ah well. Neither am I.” Colin winked. “Now, shall I bowl? It’s Mira’s turn to bat.”
He tugged off his greatcoat and hung it neatly over the fence. Then he stood several yards in front of Mira while Georgie showedher how to stand. From behind, Georgie put her arms around the girl and helped her position the bat, resting its lower end on the ground, and prepared to help her swing.
“Gently now,” she told Colin.
Colin obliged with an easy lob of the ball. Georgie guided Mira’s hold on the bat and struck the ball with a satisfying thwack.
“Well done!” he praised.
They practiced until Mira managed to hit the ball once unaided, then Colin straightened, looked at his pocket watch, and said, “This has been pleasant, but I had better continue on to Westmount. I’ll need an hour to wash and change before dinner.”
Georgie wrinkled her nose. “Good heavens. That’s twice as long as I take.”
He pulled on his coat and straightened his cravat. “Well, you are not the swell I am. People have certain expectations.”
Georgiana rolled her eyes, then said, “That’s all right. It’s time I took Mira home anyway. Her father and Claire are still away on their wedding trip but should return any day now, and Sarah with them.”
He nodded. “I shall look forward to seeing them all again, and spending Christmastide with you.”
Sarah, Claire, and William returned to Sidmouth the third week of November, in time to prepare for the first item on Sarah’s Christmastide task list: Stir-Up Sunday.
She informed her family in calm, resigned tones that they had not seen Mr. Henshall or Effie. Unfortunate, but understandable, considering their ailing relative. She deflected their sympathy and avoided probing questions. Of course it was a disappointment, but she was not bereft. Of course not.
On the last Sunday before Advent, Sarah, with help from their cook, Martha Besley, compiled the necessary tools and ingredients to make a plum or “figgy” pudding, although the recipe called for neither plums nor figs, but rather other dried fruits like raisins, currants, and candied orange peel.
In the workroom off the kitchen, which Sarah had long ago claimed as her own, she laid out all in readiness for that afternoon’s project. While Sarah cut the cheesecloth, their elderly manservant, Lowen, grated the suet and sugar, and Mr. Gwilt filled a large pot with water, ready to set to boil later.
Then the family set out for church together. Claire, William, and Mira, as well as Viola and Jack, along with Jack’s brother, Colin, met them there.
During the service, Sarah felt distracted, her mind wandering to the many things she had to do. Christmas Day was less than a month away.
With effort, she returned her focus to the service long enough to hear the part of the liturgy that had given the day its colloquial name. The vicar read the familiar words from the Book of Common Prayer, “Stir up, we beseech thee, O Lord, the wills of thy faithful people; that they, plenteously bringing forth the fruit of good works, may of Thee be plenteously rewarded, through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Sarah knew the prayer was not really about stirring up pudding but was meant to “stir up” the congregation for Advent and remind them to do good works for others, especially at this time of year.
Sarah was determined to do just that.
They had invited the extended family, including Jack’s younger brother, to join them at Sea View after the service. William and Claire decided to spend a quiet day with Mira, Armaan, and Sonali after being gone so long, but the others came over to enjoy the food prepared by Mrs. Besley and arranged on the mahogany buffet: cold ham, bread, butter, and cheeses. Potted shrimps, meat pie, and bottled fruit. Sarah herself retrieved hot coffee and tea from the kitchen to complete the meal.
After they had eaten, they all trooped down to the workroom at Sarah’s behest. Once the dried fruit, suet, eggs, breadcrumbs, milk, sugar, brandy, and spices were in the bowl, they each took turns stirring, starting with the youngest, Georgiana, and moving up in age.
“Remember to stir from east to west,” Sarah reminded them. “The direction the wise men traveled to visit the infant Jesus.”
Georgie was followed by the twins, Viola and Emily, and then Colin, James, Sarah, Jack, and Mamma. Jessie and Bibi were spending the afternoon with the Cordeys, but Mr. Gwilt, Mrs. Besley, and Lowen took turns as well.
Some families mixed coins and other charms into the batter. A sixpence in your serving foretold you would be rich, a thimble indicated you would always be a spinster or bachelor, while a ring meant you would soon marry, et cetera.
Sarah had meant to add only a single coin, but Colin Hutton had other ideas. During his turn at stirring, he’d pulled a few charms from a folded handkerchief and slipped them into the batter.
“What did you put in there?” Georgiana demanded.
