Ross eyed it quizzically.
‘It’s for wrapping the presents. The perfect space to roll out your paper. Honestly, once you’ve used an ironing board, you’ll never look back.’ She pulled forward the first bag of presents that she’d picked up in Edinburgh and began allocating them.
‘You wrap stocking presents?’ he asked.
‘Yes, always have done,’ said Izzy. ‘Another family tradition. What do you think of this for your mum?’ She held up several packs of lace handkerchiefs. ‘I’ll give her a set and one each for Hattie and Fliss. Does your dad like fudge?’
‘Does he ever.’ Ross gave her a cheeky wink. ‘I do, too.’
She gave him a severe look, holding back a smile. ‘These are gifts from Santa, he hasn’t left you any here.’ She’d hidden another pack for him in a different bag at the back of the wardrobe.
Izzy began to create little piles of presents for each of the inhabitants of the castle. Mrs Carter-Jones had given her a generous budget; there was no point wasting it. Ross was right, she should worry about money later, although it was easier said than done.
When she’d finished dividing them up, each person had quite a nice selection and she was pleased that she’d made the effort to buy original and thoughtful presents. All of the golfing gifts went on Graham’s pile, Hattie had her own gifts plus additional ones that had been earmarked for her aunt and her mother. Jason and Fliss received all of Mrs Carter-Jones’s foodie gifts. It was perfect. The rest of Hattie’s mother’s gifts were evenly spread between Fliss and Jeanette, so that after a bit of juggling everyone had the same number of little gifts.
‘I’m not sure Duncan really wants a stuffed Highland terrier,’ said Ross picking it up from the pile.
‘Well, who else can I give it to? He’s got one less present than everyone else. Everyone has to have the same.’
Ross laughed and pulled her forward for a quick kiss. ‘If you say so.’
‘It’s the Christmas stocking rules,’ insisted Izzy. ‘My mum used to drive herself nuts every year. She’d always say she’d just got the same number of things for me and Gran and then find something she’d bought ages ago for Gran, so would have to go out and get something else for me. Then she’d count up again and I’d got more than Gran.’
‘I seem to recall hearing this from my mum about me and my sisters’ stockings.’
‘See, it’s a thing.’
‘Tell you what, I’ve got a head torch that was an extra for my dad. I could add it to Duncan’s stocking.’
‘Brilliant.’ Izzy beamed at him. ‘Go and get it and we can start wrapping. I love Christmas morning when everyone unwraps their stocking presents. We’ll put the stockings around the fireplace and hand them out after breakfast in the sitting room.
‘Now it’s almost here, I can hardly wait. We’re going to have a wonderful day. A proper Christmas with friends and family. Just like it should be.’
Chapter Twenty-Four
‘Are you nearly ready?’ said Xanthe, marching into Izzy’s bedroom.
Izzy, who was putting the finishing touches to her make-up, almost stabbed her eye with the mascara brush.
‘Hello, Mum, do come in.’ The sarcasm was lost on Xanthe, resplendent in a fuchsia pink number that seemed to be made up entirely of frills. On her head she had a matching sequinned cap, which clashed with the fresh hair dye job of fire-engine red. As she settled herself on the bed, the ruffles of fabric quivered like an animated feather duster.
‘Oh, sweetie, aren’t you going to put a dress on?’
Izzy looked down at her black trousers and smart lacy top with a few bits of sparkly glitter.
‘What’s wrong with this?’
‘You’re such a gorgeous girl, you ought to show off your assets a bit more.’
‘My assets?’
‘You know, look a bit more womanly.’
Izzy stared at her mother. Where had this come from?
‘I thought this was quite dressy.’ She indicated her clothes. ‘Don’t forget, I’ll be spending a lot of time in the kitchen.’
‘Yes, but you can still be the belle of the ball too, darling. You’re really very pretty.’
