‘That must have been hard,’ said Jess, reaching over and gripping her hand.
‘At the time, I was having dance classes run by a wonderful lady called Ida. It was one of the things that had to go, given our financial situation,’ she told her friends, lost in memories from the past. ‘I thought that was the end of my dancing career, but not so,’ she explained. ‘Ida spotted something in me. She gave me classes for free. She even sorted out some accommodation through a lady who ran a guest house in London when I trained as a Tiller Girl. I owe my career to that lady.’
‘How wonderful,’ said Jess, wiping away a tear from her eye.
‘Indeed.’ Alice smiled. ‘So you see, I have always believed in helping others out wherever possible. You never know how it could change their life.’
‘Gosh, Alice, look at the state of me,’ said Jess, wiping her mascara-streaked face with a tissue.
The friends sat quietly digesting the news Alice had imparted. Declan was the first to speak.
‘We can never thank you enough, Alice.’
‘It is my absolute pleasure,’ she assured them. ‘Oh and whilst we are all here, I just wondered what your plans might be for New Year’s Eve?’ asked Alice. ‘And, yes, I know it is a while away, but I find at my age it is good to have a date to aim for.’ She laughed. ‘It keeps me going.’
‘Nothing as of yet. I’ve never been one for New Year’s Eve,’ said Mark, still dazed by Alice’s generosity. ‘Even when Diane was alive, we had a quiet one. A glass of bubbly and Jools Holland on the telly at midnight. If we could stay awake that long.’ He laughed.
‘Same here,’ said Jess. ‘I can never be bothered waiting hours for a taxi home, even if I could get a babysitter.’
‘Then how about a party here?’ suggested Alice. ‘Declan, do you have plans?’
‘I’ve been asked out for a dinner with Ken Watson and some of the staff. It’s an early meal, though; I could join you all later for drinks?’
‘Perfect,’ said Alice with a smile.
‘A party sounds like a great idea,’ said Mark.
‘Wonderful. I will be happy to have you all here,’ said Alice. ‘I will get some caterers in for a special buffet and the finest champagne. I can’t guarantee I will be awake at midnight, but it will be a double celebration as New Year’s Eve just happens to be my birthday,’ said Alice.
‘Your birthday? In that case, I think that would be just perfect,’ said Declan. ‘But I insist on paying for the champagne.’
‘I’ll cover the cost of the buffet,’ said Mark.
‘Can we bring some balloons, Mummy?’ said Maisie.
‘Yes, Maisie, that’s a great idea.’ Jess smiled at her daughter.
As they raised their glasses and toasted Alice’s good health they could hardly take in what had happened here today. Dear Alice had given each of them the security of being able to stay in their homes. Surely there was no greater gift.
SIXTY-FOUR
DECLAN
Declan entered the office building with his mum in tow and glanced around.
He had spent the last few weeks sorting the accounts for Sanctuary Bathrooms and he had worked his notice at the council offices.
His colleagues had had a collection and presented him with a bottle of champagne and a gift voucher for two hundred pounds. He had been truly touched by the gesture, as there were only five people in his actual office, but a work friend had let slip that a lot of people in the rest of the council offices were keen to chip in.
Ken Watson had been more than impressed with the work he had done so far, as Declan knew he would be. He had worked night and day to put things in order. He had also managed to secure a few more small accounts. If things continued to go well, he could maybe even think about one day hiring his own staff.
His work had kept him so occupied he barely had time to think of Jess, which in a way had been a blessing.
Then on Thursday, he ran into her on the landing, and he felt his mouth go dry.
‘Jess, how are you?’ he had asked.
‘I’m okay,’ she had told him. ‘Still trying to get over the shock of Alice’s gift.’
