“Isn’t it Wyn’s turn?” Ricky challenges.
“Wyn is going to be clearing the construction stuff to clear a path through the ballroom so our guests don’t trip over tools and coils of wire. If’ you’d rather do that, Wyn can operate the toaster.”
Evan has a great way of making Ricky obey without argument. The boy gets up, taking his porridge bowl with him towards the toaster.
So, I sit. The professor hands me a plate with a bacon sandwich, and Haneen fills a bowl with porridge and fruit and slides that over.
“Eat up,” Alex urges me. “We don’t want you fainting before you finish cooking.”
“Selfless, isn’t he?” Llewellyn throws a strawberry at him.
“No food fights.” Haneen quickly intervenes. “You’re the grown-ups. Set a good example, can’t you!”
We breakfast and joke and laugh until Haneen deems it time. “Okay I think the children have been patient enough. Present time?” she asks and signs at the same time.
Rhys and Henrietta don’t need telling twice and they jump off their chairs and run to the tree.
Embarrassment makes me squirm. “I’m sorry, it completely slipped my mind to organise presents for everyone.”
“Are you insane?” Haneen asks from under the tree where she’s presiding over the present selection. “You’re the one who’s done the most for us this Christmas. We would have had a nice quiet day, instead you’ve instigated this extravaganza and turned the day on its head.”
“It’s not—”
“Shut up and enjoy it.” Alex lays a hand on my arm.
In the tsunami of wrapping paper and excited words form everyone, Rhys brings me a box wrapped in blue tissue paper. It’s an electric whisk from Llewellyn.
“That’s so lovely of you.” I hug him across the empty chair between us where Ricky had been sitting.
Ricky, Wyn, Meredith and Rhian have clubbed together and bought me more kitchen tools.
I feel terrible because, after today, when am I ever going to need kitchen tools?
Fortunately, Alex’s present is a framed photo of the Blue Lady, a figure that appears in several mosaics and stained-glass panels here. A nice memento to remind me of Kendric House.
The professor gives me a Welsh language phrase book.
Finally, Evan and Haneen hand me their present, a delicate silver filigree bracelet in an art nouveau style with a shining green gemstone in the centre.
“It is second-hand, I’m afraid.” Evan explains. “It belonged to my great, great grandmother. We found a lot of her clothes and jewellery upstairs in pristine condition. She used to be an actress.” Evan gives me a nice smile.
I’m so overwhelmed I don’t know what to say. It must be worth a small fortune. Wordlessly, I place it around my wrist but my eyes blur with tears so I can see the clasp properly.
“Here, let me help you.” The professor takes my wrist and fastens the bracelet around it.
I wipe my eyes. “Ok all of you,” I say through the lump in my throat. “Go and leave me and Meredith to finish cooking.”
Llewellyn gets up. “Is it too early for Kings College Choir?”
“As long it stars withThe Bleak Midwinter. It’s fu—” he glances at the kids. “Freaking arctic outside, I think I just saw a flock of penguins go past the window.”
Haneen makes the kids collect the wrapping paper before she shepherds everyone out of the kitchen.
Evan is the last to leave, he comes over to stand beside me at the sink where I’m washing up. “Can I steal you at some point today, when you have a minute. There’s something I need to talk to you about.”
I know what he wants to discuss, he has his business face on.
May as well get it out of the way. I turn off the tap and dry my hands on a tea towel. “How about now?”
