I take her to sit by the table “Oh, darling it’s not too bad. Just this bit.” I try to make light of it even thought my own heart breaks for her. “It won’t show if you part your hair the other way. And it’ll grow back.
But Meredith is inconsolable. “I smell disgusting.”
“Tell you what.” I squat in front of her. “Why don’t you go to my room and wash your hair and you can use my hairdryer. I’ve mousse and conditioner so you can restyle differently.”
She wipes at her eyes, but more tears come.
“Go. Before your eyes get all puffy from crying. And look behind my door, there’s a hanger with my green dress and a silk scarf. You can tie the scarf in a band around your head with a pretty bow. No one will see the short bits.”
Good, the tears are stopping.
“We don’t have time.” She glances around the table. “All the piles of vegetables want cooking and the chipolatas—”
“I can do all that.” I squeeze her hand. “And check my jewellery box, I have some nice big earrings. They’ll go well with the scarf look.”
Finally, she agrees to go.
Alone in the kitchen, I look at the various things waiting to be cooked and do a quick calculation.
Potatoes first. I finish putting those in the hot part of the oven.
“Hey.” It’s Ricky at the kitchen door again.
“What?” I ask without looking up. One burn incident is enough for one yuletide.
“They want you to come to the hub.”
“After lunch.” I turn to the stuffing.
Obviously both chickens are stuffed but that’s nowhere near enough, So I have three trays. Two of sage and onion, one of apple and cranberry. That last one is in balls so it’s easier to tell the difference when they’re served.
“Are all these for us?” Ricky taking advantage of Meredith’s absence, sidles over and looks around all the prepped food. “Nothing is cooked yet? He sounds frustrated.
“Ricky? Are you hungry?” I take the stuffing ball from his hand and plop it back on the baking sheet.
“Starving,” he says in a plaintive voice.
“I’ll make you a deal. You leave me alone to finish cooking and I’ll give you a mince pie as long as you don’t tell anyone. I can’t have them all raiding the kitchen.”
“Cross my stomach and hope to get fat.”
My lips twitch. But I hand him a mince pie and push him out.
Okay, next job. Vegetarian chipolatas wrapped in filo pastry. They don’t need long to roast but it’s better I prep them now so they can go in at the end.
Now. I stop to take stock. The vegetables won’t take too long, the gravy is on simmer. It gives me ten minutes to run to the orangery – yes I hate the name but now isn’t the time to worry about that – and check the table setting.
Meredith, bless her, has laid all the plates, cutlery and glasses perfectly. She’s even folded napkins.
Haneen, as promised, has made five gorgeous wreaths which are now hanging on the walls. She must have had leftover red ribbon, bits of tinsel and holly sprigs which she’s left in a big tub under the side table. There also lots of candles and a large platter of pine cones. On impulse, I arrange them on the dining table, here and there to add a festive touch.
It was a great idea to set the tables in a horseshoe with all the chairs on the outside. This way, everyone will be able to see everyone. Much better than one long table.
A last touch. I light the candles and put them on the floor in the corners of the room. Too far to risk anyone tripping over them, but enough to make a flickering light effect.
With the wreaths, the pine cones on the table, the scattered tinsel and holly, flickering candles, and the Christmas carolsfrom the speakers, it finally feels, looks, even smells like a dream Christmas.
Even the frost covered dead garden looks spectacular.
