‘You made it snow for me, you’re so clever! Can we go outside?’
‘I’m not that powerful, the snow isn’t made by me, little bear. But we’re definitely going to go outside.’ For a moment there feels like there is no one in the room but her and Marsha; the air is thick with shared camaraderie, a love crazy, strong and intense as they look at each other.
The moment breaks as Belle turns to me and smiles. ‘We’re going to Tyntesfield to sit in a horse and carriage!’ She turns her attention back to the child. ‘I couldn’t get you a sleigh but Marsha, a horse-drawn carriage does await. You up for that?’
‘Oh my gosh, yes, yes! I love horses, looooovee them.’
‘And you? Do you looooovvvvveeee horses, Rory? You’re welcome to come and join us if you can bear this much Christmas rammed into one day?’
‘Oh do come, come with us. It’s gonna be so fun. There’s gonna be ahorse.’ Marsha tugs on my sleeve and is still bouncing up and down, her eyes big.
‘Do come. If you’re not busy. It’s Tyntesfield so no flashing lights, it’ll be a Victorian Christmas.’ She winks. ‘We’ll do the horse-drawn carriage thing and then we can have a quick wander around the house, what do you think?’
‘I think you’ll have me wearing a tinsel crown and raving to “Last Christmas” before the day is out.’
‘Good call. Gotta love a bit of George. Do you know “Last Christmas” is the most remixed Christmas song? I tell you what, if you’re still up for it we can drop into Lakota tonight and dance the night away.’
‘I’m a smidge too old for Lakota.’
‘Yeah, probably. I’m not though.’ And she winks at me again. Cheeky cow.
‘Horses!’ Marsha screams from the middle of the living room.
‘Yeah, okay. We’re coming. You coming?’
‘I’m coming,’ I say with a grin.
‘Can we go and see Temperance in the shop first? I like Temperance. She always stares at me really hard with this cross face on and tells me the devil comes for little girls who don’t behave and then I promise to behave and keep the devil out and she gives me treats. I’ll try and get you some mango this time, Belle. It’s easy to do because Belle says the devil doesn’t really exist so I just have to say yes, look good and get the treats.’
‘Strong work, Marsha.’
‘What’s your favourite fruit? I’ll see if I can get you one. Last time she made the sign of a cross, that’s what Belle said she was doing. I reckon if I do that and promise to keep the devil out I’ll get double treats. What do you think, Belle?’ Belle high-fives her as she finishes tying Marsha’s scarf around her neck, plonks her hat on tight and then gets herself into her coat and mittens.
‘Seriously?’ I whisper as she opens the flat door and Marsha runs down the stairs. ‘You’re encouraging her to fleece the local Christians?’
‘Yep, and next year I’ll teach her how to rob a mosque. No, of course not. I’m teaching her to stare fear in the face. Local Christian Temperance may be, but she’s terrifying, I tell you. That firm look Marsha told you about, she could flay human skin from every heathen within a five-mile radius with that stare alone. Terrifying. You wait and see. You’ll feel like falling to your knees and confessing every possible sin you’ve ever committed. Trust me. I’m just teaching Marsha life skills and not to be scared by people that threaten children with the devil coming for them. The devil is not coming for my beautiful goddaughter!’
‘Nope, nope, he’s not,’ I say. ‘He’s got his hands full with you.’
Belle.
We park at Tyntesfield and walk up to the house. The National Trust property is even more popular at this time of year and there are people everywhere.
‘It’s so busy,’ Rory says. ‘I haven’t been here for ages, probably not since I was a kid and my grandmother brought me and mum here for my mum’s birthday. A theatre company were playing and we sat in the grounds and had a picnic and I couldn’t get my head around that a house this big was just for one family to live in.’
‘That’s pretty cute. I think I’d like your mum.’
He gives me a look. ‘I think the two of you would get along. In fact, recently she has been showing some very Belle tendencies. Have I told you about House of Fraser?’
‘No, you hinted but didn’t tell the full story. Come on … spill!’
‘It’s snowing, you two – why are you taking so long?’ Marsha interrupts us.
‘She’s her mother’s daughter.’ I smirk at Rory.
‘I want to see the horses. Let’s skip! We’ll get there quickly then. Everything’s better with skipping.’ Rory doesn’t look as if he’s sure, but Marsha isn’t taking any prisoners. She grabs his hand then mine and then skips, dragging us with her. I skip whereas Rory looks uncomfortable. So I give him a look that says he doesn’t need to worry about it.
‘Hey, Marsha, look at me.’ I stop and stick my tongue out to catch snow. I may not be a parent yet but I already boss using distraction as a technique. ‘It’s melting on my tongue. It’s melting. You try it, go on.’
