Florence, who arrived in the room first, gasped at what she saw. A huge Christmas tree reaching all the way to the ceiling glittering with dozens of flickering candles. Tiny real candles in exquisite little holders. Tears sprang to her eyes and Gladys, who had been standing by the open fire beside a sleeping collie, smiled.
‘I know you can’t be with your family, my dear, so I wanted it to be extra special for you.’
The lump in Florence’s throat stopped her voice for a moment but she went straight over to Gladys and the two women hugged. ‘Thank you,’ Florence whispered. ‘Thank you so much.’
‘Now let me introduce you to my friend Grace from Exeter. I’ve told her all about you.’
‘Hello,’ said a woman with chestnut hair and skin the colour of clotted cream who stood and shook Florence’s hand.
‘And of course, Gladys continued. ‘You already know Grace’s son, Bruce.’
‘How lovely to see you,’ she said. ‘I didn’t know you were going to be here.’
He smiled warmly and rose to give her a kiss on the cheek. ‘I wasn’t supposed to be,’ he said in a loud whisper, ‘but I knew you’d be here, and after a lot of cajoling, and a last-minute shift swap, here I am.’
Florence felt herself blushing.
‘Come on, Florence,’ Gladys said, ‘You sit down on the sofa beside Bruce.’
Florence glanced across at Jack, who was still standing staring at his feet. ‘Jack,’ she said. ‘Why don’t you give Gladys the box?’
When he looked up, Florence saw something new in his eyes. They were not accusing. Not that. But they had a look she couldn’t fathom, like an ache maybe, deep in his eyes. Although the moment seemed to stretch out for ages, it had not really been long at all, and it seemed nobody else had noticed. Jack passed the box to Gladys, and she opened it, showing them all the contents. Ronnie said, ‘Well I’m blessed, and here we’ve been on the home brew.’
After a few seconds, Florence saw Jack struggle to rally and brush it – whatever it was – off, and her heart twisted. She weighed the moment and found it dreadfully heavy. Jack did feel something for her, she knew it, even if he would never admit it. But he had recovered now and was laughing.
‘I was given it all, so best place for it was here.’
‘Got any sweet sherry?’ Gladys dug in the box. ‘Blimey, what the dickens is this? Dramb … how do you say it?’
‘Drambuie,’ said Jack. ‘Scottish whisky, honey, herbs and spices. Courtesy of my friend’s father’s cellars.’
‘How the other half live, eh? Let’s try it then.’
‘It’s usually for after the meal,’ Jack said.
‘Oh, who gives a fig. Give it here.’ And Ronnie went to the kitchen, returning with a tray of glasses. He poured and they drank. He poured again and they drank again.
Florence followed Gladys into the kitchen to help with the lunch and as they were working, Gladys whispered, ‘Like Bruce, do you?’
‘Yes, he’s very nice.’
‘He’s got a crush on you, my girl. You could do a lot worse. But like I said, mind you don’t hurt his feelings. He’s a good lad.’
Florence laughed. ‘Honest to God, Gladys, what are you like?’
When the food was ready and they’d all been served, you could have heard a pin drop as they tucked in. Delicious, everyone agreed, while Ronnie secretly slipped titbits to the ravenous collie. Then Gladys placed a flaming Christmas pudding in the centre of the table to multiple ‘ooohs’ and ‘aahs’.
‘Not brandy, just home-made stuff,’ Gladys said. ‘But it lights up well enough.’
Florence glanced around at everyone. Happy faces, red cheeks, sparkling eyes, especially Bruce’s. The war forgotten.
‘Any more for any more?’ Gladys said, slurring her words a little now.
Florence shook her head, and in her mind, she sent aChristmas blessing to Claudette, Hélène, Élise and baby Victoria, and to all their old friends in France.
They turned on the wireless to listen to King George broadcast his Christmas speech to the Empire.
When it was time to leave, Florence noticed a huge bunch of mistletoe had miraculously appeared above the front door. She could have sworn it hadn’t been there when they’d arrived, and she spotted Gladys winking at Ronnie. Bruce stood up and came across to give her a hug.
