Tales from the Finchbottom Vale – (30) The Verger’s Patience

The village of Highfinch sits just on the edge of the Pepperstock Hills and the Lily Green Hollows Golf Club separated the village from the Hamlet of Lily Green, and the combination of the two made up the parish of St Martins.

The Vicar of the said parish was Reverend Jenna Lawton, soon to be Faulkner.

Although she was relatively new to the role of Vicar she had previously been Reverend Mortimer’s Curate, a position she held for ten years. 

However when the previous Vicar suffered a serious heart attack it was so severe he was unable to resume his duties.

Almost her first act as Vicar of St Martins was to appoint Tom Rowlands as her Verger.

He was replacing 70 year old Carl Daniel who had held the position under Reverend Mortimer for 30 years and when his old friend was struck down he took it as a sign that he should retire his services.

Tom had lived in Lily Green all of his life and still lived in the same cottage where he was born.

Lily Green was an idyllic hamlet and the cottage had proper chocolate box quaintness.

In fact it was perfect in almost every way save one, he didn’t have someone special to share it with.

His parents were gone and he had no siblings, his mother had him late in life.

 

He was an unremarkable looking man, anonymous looking really.

In fact everything about him was average, average height, average build, grey eyes and mousy hair.

He was 33 years old and he’d been alone for 5 years but the church offered him something he had never had, a large family.

He responded to the love he found at St Martin’s and became a hard worker on their behalf in every aspect of Church life.

Choir, parish magazine, youth groups, Sunday school, Fund Raising, sales, Fetes, and Bazaars.

And it was through the church that he met Patience Rudd. 

 

His reward for all his hard work was a phone call a few days after Jenna Lawton was confirmed as the new Vicar.

“Tom?” a woman’s voice said

“Yes that’s me” he replied

“It’s Jenna” she said “Jenna Lawton”

“Hello Vicar” he said.

“What can I do for you?”

“I know its short notice but...” she hesitated

“Would you mind taking Carl Daniel's place on the church committee?”

“What me?”

“Yes you” She confirmed “we are fast approaching the festive season and well…”

“Of course, when do you need me?”

“Ten minutes?” she asked hopefully

“Ok” he said “I’ll leave now”

 

After his first meeting sitting on the church committee he was asked to stay on afterwards by the Vicar and he was a little nervous when she closed the door.

“Thank you for stepping into the breech” Jenna said

“That’s ok Vicar”

“I have something else to ask of you” she said

“Ask away”

“I would like you to apply for the Vergers job” Jenna said

“Oh no” he replied “I couldn’t do that”

“But you would be perfect” she said “nobody works harder than you do for St Martins”

“But that’s just on a voluntary basis” he said “I’m not qualified to be Verger”

“You are perfectly qualified” Jenna said “Please think about it”

 

Tom took the Vicars advice and applied to fill the vacancy as Verger and his first official task saw him carrying the Virge at the Sunday service on the first Sunday of Advent and he had never felt prouder but when he went home he had no one to share it with.

He did have someone in mind who he would have liked to share his big moment with and that was Patience Rudd.

 

He had known her for 5 years ever since he started attending St Martins, she was a few years younger than him and was also unremarkable looking, and ticked all the average boxes but to him she was far from ordinary.

Unlike him she had always been part of the Church since she was a little girl.

She was one of the first people he met when he made his first tentative steps into St Martin’s and Tom fell in love with the shy timid Patience instantly and the attraction was mutual.

But neither of them did anything about it, they were far too shy.

Despite the fact that they did so much together for the Church they never took the tiny final step to be together.

So as the weeks turned into months and the months to years the gulf seemed to grow exponentially and the tiny step seemed more like it was a giant leap.

 

They always radiated towards each other on committees, pastorates and church groups and always volunteered for the same things.

And they talked freely with no awkwardness of self-consciousness as long as they didn’t think about the other in the way they wanted them to be.

Even after he became the Verger things didn’t change between them.

Although he came very close at the St Martin’s Christmas Bazaar.

 

Both Tom and Patience arrived early at St Martin’s School and it was already a hive of activity.

“Goodness” he said “And I was worried I was too early”

“Yes me too” she agreed

“Shall we get stuck in then” he suggested

“Yes lets”

They worked together all morning and he would have liked to have helped her on the Bric-à-brac stall but he had already volunteered to help out in Santa’s Grotto.

“I’ve got to go” he said

“Oh ok” she said flatly

“But I’ll come and help you pack up at the end if you like”

“Yes please”

 

To get to the grotto he had to enter via an adjoining classroom, festively decked out, which acted as an ante room where a small number of children and their accompanying parents waited their turn, and where the school’s drama teacher, Cherry Overton-Brown, who for some reason was dressed as Robin Hood, kept order.

And beyond the anteroom in the corridor there was a sizable queue of expectant children.

 

The grotto opened to the first child at 1 pm and there was a pretty constant stream almost non-stop until 4 o’clock.

The new Curate, Rosie, dressed as and Bernard the Elf, escorted the excited or apprehensive child in from the ante chamber, who would then climb up on to Santa’s lap.

Santa would then have a quick chat with them and give them their gift, and then Tom, would take a photo.

Rosie then escorted the happy child back out to their parents and this well-oiled machine kept operating like that for 3 hours and when Rosie escorted the final child back to their waiting parents Tom followed them out.

Tom then hurried to the hall and was greeted by a smiling Patience.

In fact so radiant was her smile that he decided there and then to ask her out.

“Patience I…” he began but the Vicar suddenly appeared and started rummaging through the books and the moment was gone and he lost his nerve.

 

After losing his nerve at the Christmas Bazaar when the Vicar interrupted him on the verge of asking Patience out, Tom never regained it again.

So they returned to the same pattern as before, they saw a lot of each other but never went to the next level and would probably have remained that way indefinitely had fate not intervened on a late spring morning.

 

Tom was in the vestry talking to Hemmings Funeral Directors about three impending funerals when the Vicar appeared in the doorway wearing a worried expression, he completed his call and hung up.

“Hello Vicar” he said “Is everything ok?”

“I’m not sure” she replied “Have you heard from Patience today?”

“No I haven’t, why?”

“Well she hasn’t been in to pick up her quota of Parish Magazine’s from the Village Hall” she explained

The first Monday of the month was Parish Magazine delivery day and all the volunteers would pick them up by 10 o’clock.

But by 11.30 everyone had been in bar Patience.

“That’s not like her” he said

“No it’s not” the Vicar agreed “I’ve tried ringing but her mobile is just going to voice mail”

On hearing that Tom offered his services in her stead.

“I’ll do her round” he said “And I’ll call in to the farm and make sure she’s ok”

“That would be great Tom” she said with real relief in her voice “Thank you”

 

It wasn’t how he planned to spend his day but he didn’t mind and being out and about in the fresh air on such a lovely day was not a chore and it would put his mind at rest.

Patience Rudd’s “patch” was on the Kettlewell side of the village and consisted of about 25 dwellings dotted along Kettlewell Lane and Finchtop Way, it was about a two hour round trip at an average pace

But he was in a rush to check up on Patience so even though it was a warm pleasant day he set off at pace with the bag slung across his shoulder.

 

Tom had only one thought in his head as he delivered the Parish Magazines on his way up Kettlewell Lane, Patience, and he wanted to get to Rudd’s Farm, the furthest most destination from the village on his route.

He turned off Kettlewell Lane and into Finchtop Way which was a horseshoe shaped road that climbed quite steeply up the hill then eased down the other side re-joining Kettlewell Lane some ¾ of a mile nearer to Highfinch.

Just as he was insight of Rudd’s farm it started to rain a typical spring shower which would soak him to the skin and there were no convenient trees to shelter under, so he made a run for it some fifty yards or so and just ahead was the hay barn and he thought it the most likely source of shelter so he ran in that direction.

Once he got close he noticed the door was a jar so he pushed on it softly.   

“Hello” he called as the door opened and inside he found Patience Rudd laying in a heap on the floor.

“Patience!” he called and rushed to her side

He could see straight away that her leg was broken by its unnatural position.

It was obvious what had happened she had fallen from the hayloft.

“Patience!” he said and took hold of her hand which was cold.

Her eyes opened and squeezed his fingers.

“Tom” she said and gave a weak smile.

He released her hand long enough to take his coat off and lay on top of her, then he held her hand again which she gripped tightly.

“It really hurts Tom” she said

“I’ll go and get help”

“No don’t leave me” she begged

“But I need to get someone” he retorted

“There’s no one here” she explained “Mums gone to Purplemere and Dad and the boys are on the other side of the farm clearing ditches”

“Ok I’ll phone for an ambulance” he suggested

“But don’t leave me” she insisted

“Ok I’m not going anywhere”

He dialled 999 and responded to all the operators’ questions.

“Ambulance please”

“Rudd Farm, Finchtop Way, off Kettlewell Lane”

“A girl has fallen from the hayloft, and has a broken leg”

“I don’t know if she lost consciousness, I don’t even know when she fell, but she’s cold frightened and in pain”

“My name is Tom Rowlands and I’m not going anywhere”

“Do you promise” Patience said weakly

“Do I promise what?” he asked

“Not to go anywhere” she said

“Absolutely”

“Say it then” she begged

“I promise not to go anywhere” Tom said “I promise not to leave you, and I promise that I’m never going to leave you”  

“That’s a lot of promises”

“I mean to keep them all” he said

 

All the feelings of hopeless longing he had felt for her over the previous 5 years came swimming to the surface, and along with them came anger.

Anger at his weakness, his cowardice at not telling her how he felt and now she was laying broken and bruised on the floor of the barn and he could lose her forever.

Having never told her how much she was loved and how much he loved her.

And then a grave dark thought filled his mind about how the next conversation he had with Hemmings Funeral Directors could be to arrange Patience’s funeral.

“You have to tell her now before it’s too late!” he screamed inside his head

“You must”

Tom took her small hand in his hands and said

“Patience, darling, I have something important to say to you”

“Did you call me darling?” she asked dreamily

“Yes I did”

“I like that” she said

Tom was concerned she was going to lose consciousness before he said the words

“Patience, I have something very important to say to you”

“What’s that?” she said very quietly   

“I love you, Patience Rudd” Tom said “I have always loved you, and I always will”

Patience never responded and drifted off into unconsciousness so he was unsure if she had heard a word he had said let alone understand it.

 

A few moments after he had made his declaration of love he heard the ambulance approaching.

“They’re here darling” he said and kissed her hand then he rushed outside to show them the way.

“Over here!” he shouted

 

He kept in the back ground while the paramedics did their thing and listened intently to what they were saying.

He was right about the broken leg but in addition she had a dislocated shoulder and several cracked ribs.

 

Tom went out into the yard and phoned the Vicar and let her know what had happened.

While he was there Mrs Rudd drove into the yard and broke sharply.

“What’s happened?” she shouted

“Patience fell from the hay loft” Tom said

“Is she ok?”

Just as Tom was about to tell her what he knew. Andy Mason, the paramedic, appeared from the barn, at one end of a trolley so Tom deferred to him.

 

While he explained to Mrs Rudd the rest of the trolley appeared with Patience aboard, Andy finished just as the procession reached the back of the ambulance and then he said

“We’ll take her to The Royal Downshire in Purplemere”

“Ok I’ll follow on in the car” she replied

But just before they loaded Patience into the ambulance she opened her eyes and pulled the oxygen mask aside and said

“I love you too Tom”

Then she closed her eyes again and Andy replaced her mask.

“I suppose you’d better come in the car with me” Mrs Rudd said and smiled

 

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS # 4

All I want for Christmas

Is the special girl I love

All I want for Christmas

Is my angel from above

 

She need not be wrapped

And tied up with a bow

I’ll take her as she is

Smiling face aglow

 

Any other Christmas gift

Is valueless to me

I just want my angel

Beneath the Christmas tree

 

So on Christmas day

As we stand beside the tree

I will take her in my arms

And kiss her tenderly

COMPLETE CHRISTMAS

 

I wrapped the presents from me to you,

Only a few more things now left to do

I must hang up the bunch of mistletoe

Pour the wine and turn the lights down low

And when we cuddle up together on the seat

My Christmas really will be complete

Snippets of Downshire Life – Feast of St Nicholas

 

The traditional seaside resort of Sharpington-by-Sea with its Victorian Pier, seafront hotels, crazy golf, The Palladium ballroom, well maintained gardens, promenade, theatre and illuminations, has all the usual things to have a great time by the seaside, as well as amusement arcades and of course the Sharpington Fun Park and it was in the grand neighbourhood of Granite Hill, which in a nod to San Francisco, the locals had nicknamed Nob Hill where Church Warden of St Lucy’s, Henry Appleby, was attending a dinner on St Andrew’s Day, at the home of a local celebrity, children’s author, Alesha Khan.

Henry was a popular figure in Sharpington society who dedicated all of his free time to the church and good works, so it would have been of little surprise to find him on the guest list, but he on the other hand was surprised at some of the other guests.

In addition to the hostess Alesha, was Kim Labuschagne, an illustrator, who was an old school friend of hers, and she also assisted in the kitchen, Alesha’s brother artist Zach, Curate of St Lucy’s, Russell Glavin, Literary agents, Jayson and Kathryn Mercer, Actresses Kerry Freeborn and Sharon Blackburn and Tim Street who was a Local Historian, so it was an interesting bunch, but his interest was overwhelmingly in Kathryn.

Henry had known Kathryn since she was a girl, he was an old family friend, but it wasn’t friendship that he felt for her, but he had not shared his feelings with her, because he thought it would have been a betrayal of her parents trust, but following their deaths in a car accident, but he said nothing then because he had to fulfill more of an avuncular role, and then she married so he resigned himself to the fact that there could never be any other role for him in her life.

 

When the time came for them to take their seats Henry found that he was seated oposite Alesha and next to Kathryn, and he could tell by the look on the formers face that she had put them beside eachother by design, hoping that her change in circumstances would move things along between them.

 

Kathryn had divorced from her husband Jayson the year before, but it was a completely amicable split because after eight years of marriage they both realised it wasn’t really working, they loved each other, and still did, but they were not in love.

In fact, they still lived under the same roof, in the same house, after the split, and planned to sell the house, or buy the other one out, if and when their personal circumstances changed.

So domestic life for them wasn’t really very different to when they were married, and it really should have been if they belonged together as a couple, so they knew they had made the right decision, and even after the divorce they were still best friends, and of course they still worked together at the Literary Agency they founded, Mercer and associates.

 

The conversation between Henry and Kathryn during dinner was as easy and relaxed as it always had been, so much so that it actually felt like they were a couple, but they wernt.

Over coffee Kathryn said

“I’ve been asked to organise the St Nicholas gifts this year”

“Really? I did them for a couple of years” he said “before I became Church Warden”

“Yes I remember” she said “Which is why…”

“Why what?”

“Which is why I could use your help” she replied

“Of course I’ll help” he said

“We could meet tomorrow”

“Perfect” she said

 

They met the next day at his house after Church and over coffee they compiled a long list of items she needed to get from the cash and carry and afterwards they walked along the promenade to Albies Coffee Shop and Café where they had lunch.

“Thanks for your help Henry” she sadi

“My pleasure Kathryn, you just need to drive over to Purplemere and pick it up”

“I might need your help again with that” she said “I’ll never get that lot in my car”

“Why? You’ll easily get it all into your SUV”

“Erm… Its in the garage until Wednesday, so I’ve only got the Mini”

“What about Jayson’s car?”

“He’s gone to Millmoor, and won’t be back for a fortnight” she replied

“Well in that case we can go in mine” he said

 

They couldn’t go on Sunday afternoon as it was the first Sunday of Advent and as he was Church Warden and she was the Verger they needed to be on hand for the evening service, so he picked her up early on Monday morning and drove her over to the cash and carry.

 

It was an amazing place, and they were very impressed even though they had both been to one before, it was like an Aladdin’s cave of Christmas goodies, and they soon filled their trolley.

But Kathryn seemed to be in no particular hurry to leave because although they had everything that was on the list she kept Henry there for another hour wandering up and down the aisles but added nothing to the trolley before she accepted they had finished the shopping and went to the checkout.

Henry and Kathryn loaded the shopping into his car and then they exited the car park with the sound of thunder in the distance.

On the way out of the gate it started to rain, and as he turned onto the Sharpington road the sky had grown really dark and the thunder cracks grew closer and the rain fell harder.

Twenty minutes later the rain was falling ever harder until the wipers could barely cope.

As luck would have it they were just approaching a lay-by, so Henry turned into it to wait for the rain to abate.

He had barely applied the handbrake when there was a clap thunder above that shook the car and Kathrine screamed and launched herself at Henry.

“Hold me” she begged “the thunder frightens me”

 

“Don’t worry honey” he said putting his arm around her “I’ve got you”

 

The thunder storm went on for almost half an hour before it moved away, and the rain eased off and Henry said

“I think it’s safe to go now”

“Are you sure?” she said “it might come back”

“No, it’s moved away now” he said and released his hold on her and he thought he heard her sigh.

 

When they got back to Sharpington they went back to her house and unloaded the car.

“So where do you want them?” he asked as he walked in carrying two boxes

“In the Dining room” she replied “I’ll make a start on them after lunch”

And then almost as an afterthought she added

“You’ll stay for lunch of course? “

“That would be lovely, I can stay and help after” he suggested

“Really? Would you?

“Of course,” he replied “and I’m free tomorrow so I can help you box them up and deliver them” 

 

The St Nicholas Day gifts could come in different forms but were almost always presented in boots or shoes.

The ones that St Lucy’s Church were giving out consisted of a small red plastic Santa Boot, complete with white fur trim and filled with chocolates and candy.

Each one contained Chocolate Coins, Candy Canes, Bonbons, Fudge, Chocolate Santa, a small toy and a puzzle.

So, after lunch they set up a production line and when the Boot was filled the whole thing was completed by putting the filled Boot inside a cellophane bag tied at the top with a red ribbon.

working together right through until 10 o’clock, only stopping for pizza, they got them all filled, bagged and tied, but left the packing of them until the next morning.

 

Henry arrived at Kathryn’s just after ten the next morning and they packed the gifts in boxes for the various destinations, and then they loaded the car, before making the deliveries.

Jubilee Primary School, Whitecliffe Hill Primary, St Lucy’s Church, for the Sunday School, and Sharpington Library for the reading club and then back to Kathryn’s.

“I can’t thank you enough Henry” she said

“It was my pleasure” he said “I enjoyed it”

“Nonetheless I’m very grateful” he said “Let me take you to dinner tomorrow night as a thank you, L'uccello Canto”

“That’s my favourite restaurant”

“I know it is” she said, “so is that a yes?”

 

It was a lovely meal and the conversation was easy, witty and stimulating but Henry drank more than he probably should have but he was having such a good time.

“A perfect end to a perfect evening” she said when the liqueurs arrived

“Your perfect” he said, and then he realized he had said it out loud, and he glanced at her and she was smiling, but not in a derisory way, so he decided, aided by all the wine, to tell her how he felt.

“I’ve always thought you were perfect, in everyway”

“Before you go any further I have a confession to make” she said

“You don’t have to say anything, I just need to say how I feel” he replied

“But I really do” she insisted

“Ok” Henry replied, a little concerned at what might follow and then

Kathryn took a deep breath and blurted out

“I planned all of this”

“All what?”

“Everything in order to get you here tonight” she said, and Henry thought for a moment and then said

“Did you arrange for me to be sitting next to you at the Dinner Party?” He asked

“Yes, but that was the easy bit” she confessed “because I had an ally in Alesha, but after that, it was up to me to take advantage of the situation”

“Which of course you did” he said

“Indeed, I did” she admitted, “The rest however took a bit more planning”

“And a bit more deceitfulness” she continued, and Henry took a moment to think before he said

“You didn’t need my help with the planning, did you?”

“No” she confessed

“And the SUV being in the garage?”

“Was a lie” Kathryn confirmed

“And your being scared of the thunder?”

“Also, a lie” she confirmed again “I just wanted to hug you”

“So why?”

“So that I could be close to you and hopefully pluck up the courage to tell you how special you are to me”

“So, does that mean what I think it means?” he asked

“If that’s what you want now that you know that I’m he not perfect” she said

“I do” he said and held her hand

“You don’t think less of me?” she asked

“I’m shocked and stunned” he said “but only that you want me”

“I’ve always wanted you” she said and kissed his hand

 

As he walked her home arm in arm he asked

“So, are you pleased with the outcome of your scheming?”

“Oh yes” she said “pleased and surprised”

“Surprised?” he queried

“Yes, I’ve never done anything like it before, and I’m surprised how conniving I’ve been” she said

“Well you’ve got me now” he said

“Yes, and that’s perfect” Kathryn said

 

 

 

Snippets of Downshire Life – St Nicholas’ Day

 

Downshire is a relatively small English county but like a pocket battleship it packs a lot in, a short but beautiful coastline, a channel port, the Ancient forests of Dancingdean and Pepperstock, the craggy ridges and manmade lakes of the Pepperstock Hills National Park, the rolling hills of the Downshire Downs, the beautiful Finchbottom Vale and farm land as far as the eye can see from the Trotwood’s and the Grace’s in the south to the home of the Downshire Light infantry, Nettlefield, and their affluent neighbour’s, Roespring and Tipton in the north but our story takes place in the southern town off Abbottsford which was the biggest in Downshire, its administrative capital and the seat of the Downshire government.

It was also a place of learning thanks to the Downshire University and was a Cathedral City and was also home to Abbottsford Town football club.

Abbottsford was also the location of the Abbottsford’s Phoenix Shopping Centre and Hanratty’s Department Store therein.

It was at Hanratty’s where lifelong friends, Kristine Perrin and Lily Parsons, worked.

Krissy was the eldest of the pair by two weeks and was a very slim, very pretty girl with dark brown pixie cut hair, while Lily was a small skinny girl with long curly chestnut hair.

Neither of them had particularly happy home lives so they were naturally drawn to each other from an early age.

So, they did everything together and were seldom ever home as they were always off on some adventure or other.

 

They spent all their spare time together and when they were at school and college they also worked together, evenings and weekends at Stephenson’s Supermarket.

Most of their adventurous escapades were during the holidays and they chalked up a lot of happy times and their friendship was their most precious possession and they loved each other, and they complimented each other.

 

Although there were similarities between them, they were both pretty for a start, their likes and dislikes, their sense of humour, but really as individuals they couldn’t be more different.

Kristine had no fear whereas Lily would tremble in the shadows on her own.

Krissy was an extrovert, confident, self-assured and brave, though not cocky in any way.

Lily on the other hand, was shy and she lacked self-confidence but being with Krissy made her feel more confident, daring to do things she would never have done alone, such as leaving Northchapel and moving to Abbottsford.

 

Abbottsford was a place of particular significance to the girls because it was on one of their adventures, to see the Mardis Gras Parade, where they both declared that the unquenchable love they felt for each other was not one of sorority or friendship. 

 

When they had finished college, life at home for Krissy became intolerable so she left, and because of the love they shared, Lily left too.

Luckily Lily had a maternal Grandmother living in Abbottsford who had also fallen out with the family, so they went there, and Grandma Alice was hesitant, from past experience, to get involved but she reluctantly agreed they could stay for a couple of weeks, it was only sleeping bags in the spare room, but they didn’t mind that, they had had plenty of experience of sleeping bags.

Staying with her was conditional upon them getting work, and paying their way, but that didn’t bother them as they had always been hard workers.

Despite the two-week limitation they were still there six months later, because her worst fears were not realised.

Initially the girls got work at Stephenson’s because they had a history with the stores and a couple of phone calls to Northchapel had them vouched for. 

On the other hand, Alice Parsons, worked for Hanratty’s Department Store, and had done for more than twenty years and once she knew how reliable they were she was able to get them jobs at the store, which gave them full time hours, and Hanratty’s paid better than Stephenson’s.

 

Hanratty’s Department store and the Abbottsford’s Phoenix Shopping Centre had been dressed in tinselled Christmas garb and twinkling lights almost from the beginning of October and the girls found it very exciting as it was a constant reminder of the fact that they were heading for their first Christmas as a couple.

 

On the evening of the sixth of December there was a party in the staff canteen, with a first-class buffet and plenty of booze, in fact too much of the latter for lightweight Lily who Krissy had to escort to the ladies.

“Is she ok?” Alice asked

“She will be” Krissy replied “But I think I’d better take her home”

“Ok love” Alice said and returned to the party

 

Krissy took her into the disabled toilet, as it was more spacious, and knelt Lily down in front of the bowl, but she wasn’t sick she just fell asleep and as Krissy sat and watched so did she.

 

Krissy was woken up by the sound of Lily’s phone going off, so Krissy took it out of her pocket and answered it.

“Hello”

“Lily! thank God, where are you?”

“It’s not Lily, its Krissy Grandma” she said, she always called her grandma even though she was no relation

“Why? where’s Lily?”

“She’s asleep” she said and opened the toilet door “We both fell asleep, and now everywhere is dark, and I think were locked in Grandma”

“Well at least your safe” she said, audibly releived

“What should we do?” Krissy asked

“Well just sleep there tonight” she said, “What floor are you on?”

“Six”

“Good, just go through soft furnishings and sleep on one of the beds” she said “just avoid the main thoroughfares and you won’t appear on the CCTV”

“I’m sorry Grandma” Krissy said

“Don’t be silly” she said “you’re safe, that’s the main thing, look after Lily and I’ll bring fresh clothes with me in the morning”

“Thanks Grandma”

 

“Come on sleepy” she said as she tried to get Lily on her feet

“I’m tired” she protested

“So am I honey, so the sooner we get going the sooner we can lay down on a nice soft bed”

“A real bed?” Lily asked sleepily

“Yes”

“Oooh lovely”

 

Even with the incentive of a comfy bed and the fact that she was a skinny little thing it was difficult for Krissy to steer her comfortably to their destination without appearing on the cameras, but she managed it, and dumped Lily on the first bed they came to.

Then she grabbed some pillows off a nearby display and a throw off an adjacent chair and after arranging the pillows and Lily, she covered her with the throw and the slipped under it with her.

 

Krissy had had the presence of mind to set an alarm on her phone, so they could be up and hidden away before the early staff started to arrive, and the contented couple slept soundly all night and the alarm was an unwelcome sound when it went off.

“Wake up Lily” she said and kissed the top of her head as she lay with it on her chest

“Wake up Lily” she said

“What?” she said sleepily

“Wake up” she said “We need to move”

“What! Why what time is it?” Lily retorted

“Late” Krissy retorted

“That was a lovely sleep” Lily said as she lifted her head to look at her

“It was nice wasn’t it” Krissy agreed

“But how did we get here?” Lily asked

“I’ll tell you later but for now we need to get moving”

“No, we need to have our good morning kiss first” Lily pointed out

“You can have your morning kiss when we are safely hidden from the security guard” Krissy said

“Ok” she said and reluctantly slipped out of bed, and Krissy put the pillows back where she got them, even the one Lily had drooled on, and folded the throw and put it back on the chair, and once she was sure they hadn’t left anything behind they made their way stealthily back to the disabled loo.

 

Once they were safely hidden Krissy filled her in on the events of the previous night and explained about Grandma bringing them clean clothes and then just after 8 o’clock Lily got a text message

“Where are you?”

She looked quizzically at Krissy, who raised her eye brows and took the phone from her and typed: 

“Disabled toilet 6^th floor”

“On my way up”

 

“I’m starving” Lily said as they waited

“You’re always hungry” her girlfriend pointed out just as there was a light knocking on the door and Krissy got up and unlocked the door.

“Grandma” they both exclaimed, and she rushed in and hugged them both.

“Oh, girls I’m so glad to see” she said as they hugged “I don’t know what I’d do if something happened to either of you”

 

When the group hug broke up she said

“There are clean clothes, fresh underwear and toiletries in the bag there”

“Thank you” they said

“And there are bacon rolls in here” she said holding up a white paper bag

“Breakfast!” Lily shouted

“I love you grandma” Krissy said and kissed her

“Me too” Lily said having already taken a bite out of her roll

“I love you both as well” she said “Very much”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tales from the Finchbottom Vale – (27) Christmas in Highfinch

 Christmas was just around the corner for the inhabitants of Highfinch which nestled on the edge of the Pepperstock Hills where the Lily Green Hollows Golf Club separated the village from the Hamlet of Lily Green, which made up the parish of St Martins Church.

It was the first time for quite a few years that Jenna Lawton had approached the season with a boyfriend, although calling him a boyfriend was pushing it a bit as he was almost forty, but then she wasn’t exactly a girl at 37.

It was also the first time she had approached it as a Vicar. 

Another significant difference was something that also hadn’t happened for quite a few years and that was she would be spending it with her baby brother.

Brian Lawton was 33 years old and had been medically discharged from the Downshire Light Infantry due to injuries sustained in Afghanistan when he lost most of his left foot.

Brian had led a rather rudderless existence since leaving the Army in the previous January, until mid-October when he made one of his infrequent phone calls to touch base with his sister who was at the time the de facto Vicar of St Martins in Highfinch while the Reverend Mortimer was recovering from a heart attack.

Everything that subsequently followed began with a simple question on the innocent phone call.

“So how are you sis?” he asked jovially and she burst into tears.

Unable to get any sense out of her over the phone he said 

“Ok I’m on my way”

Fortunately he wasn’t a million miles away as he and another ex-soldier were doing some security work in Sharpington and it was his day off.

However once Brian arrived to comfort his older sister he never left as she suggested he stay with her permanently at the Vicarage and he agreed and also suggested he might find work at the Golf Course.

In truth Jenna had no doubts whatsoever that they would welcome him with open arms at the Golf Club because the manager of Lily Green Hollows, David Pike, was on the parish council and she had already broached the subject with him and used her influence.

But Brian was not the only newcomer to Highfinch and the Vicarage that year because two weeks after he took up residence he and Jenna were joined by the 30 year old replacement Curate, Rosie Coulter and Jenna and Rosie took to each other from the first moment they met.

But even with, Nick Faulkner, the man she loved, at her side, and her brother Brian on hand for support and an eager young Curate to help with her with the burden she was not looking forward to Christmas with as much enthusiasm as she had in past years.

Because that particular year she saw the normally joyous event of the Christmas church calendar as nothing more than tiresome obstacles that had to be overcome.

The month of November began in a much happier vain when Jenna and Nick began dating, firstly to bonfire night display at Sharpinghead and then on Saturday Night he took her over to Purplemere and they had a lovely meal at the Runcible Spoon.

The next day Jenna was in a wonderful mood and it didn’t take an expert to know why and Brian was very pleased to see she was looking much more like her old self and seemed to have fully recovered from the malady of despondency that had afflicted her when he first arrived and she thought the Bishop was going to transfer her.

Jenna was also on very good form in the pulpit and she delivered a very inspiring and enlightening sermon.

However it wasn’t long before a gloom descended over her when she remembered that even before she reached the first hurdle of her Christmas marathon she had another problem to solve first.

A local man called Henry Gold normally played Santa at the St Martins Christmas Bazaar and had done for many years but since his sad demise earlier that year it had proved difficult to replace him.

However Rosie thought she had the perfect solution.

“What about Brian?”

“Brian?” 

“Yes, he’ll need a bit of padding but I think he’ll be a natural” Rosie said “He’s got lovely broad shoulders”

“I think that’s a great idea” she said and kissed her check “Well done”

Jenna walked into the lounge at the Vicarage and she said 

“Brother Dearest”

“What?” he responded suspiciously?

“I have a task for you”

“And what’s that?” Brian asked

“I need you to help out at the Christmas Bazaar” she said

“Oh ok yes I can do that” Brian said a little relieved to get off so lightly

“Excellent” she said “We just need to get the ladies to alter the costume”  

“Hold on what costume?” Brian said “I don’t remember agreeing to a costume” 

“The Santa costume obviously” Jenna said 

“I am not going to dress up and Santa” he said adamantly 

“But you have to, you can’t sit in Santa’s grotto in your ordinary clothes” Jenna insisted

“What grotto?” he asked

“You’ll make a wonderful Santa” Rosie added

“That’s not fair, you’re ganging up” he said indignantly “ganging up isn’t fair”

“I’ll let you know when you’re needed for the first fitting” Jenna said as she left the room

“But Jenna?” he called

“Can’t talk, I’m going to lunch with my boyfriend”

A moment later her head appeared around the door and she added

“I rather like the way that sounds”

Brian spent the next five minutes trying to fathom how she had managed to rope him into playing Santa at the St Martin’s School Christmas Bazaar without him even realising what he had agreed to and in fact he was left with the impression that he actually volunteered.

However she became more troubled the closer she got to the first obstacle to be conquered in the marathon which came on  

November 29th, and that was the First Sunday of Advent.

But despite it being a test of endurance she got through it without a hitch and with it successfully under her belt she should have been able to approach the next leg with renewed vigour.

However it soon began to look as if she wouldn’t get there with her sanity intact.

The day after her success Jenna was in the church Hall with a small team of ladies who were on hand to affect alterations to Brian’s Santa suit.

It was obviously the team of ladies who did all the work while she looked on, but the lack of activity gave her time to think and time to think meant time to worry and it didn’t go unnoticed. 

And at the Vicarage that evening Brian broached the subject with her.

“What’s the matter sis?”

“Christmas is the matter” she replied

“But you love Christmas” he reminded her

“Yes but It’s such a busy time, there is so much going on, Advent, Christingle, Carol Concert  and the Bazaar and everyone is watching me to see if I screw up”

“But you’ve been here for ten years” he said “this is hardly your first Christmas”

“Yes but it’s my first Christmas as the Vicar” she said worriedly

“Look you’ve already ticked off the first Sunday of advent and the Bazaar is totally covered, so stop worrying” he reassured her.

Despite her brothers words of comfort she still approached the Second weekend of Advent with little confidence and when she got to Friday lunchtime it suddenly got a whole lot worse.

She was in the Church Hall where she was waiting for Brian to arrive for the final fitting for his costume when her phone rang.

Jenna hung up the phone and muttered something under and almost knocked her brother over who just happened to be coming the other way.

“It’s a total disaster” Jenna blurted out “Trevor Gurney has appendicitis”

“Oh no” Brian said “is he ok?”

“What?” she said as if confused by the question

“Trevor” he clarified “is he ok?”

“Oh shit,” the Vicar exclaimed, “I never thought to ask”

“So what’s the disaster then?” He enquired

“Trevor is the chief Elf to your Santa,” she explained

“So what’s the problem?” he said “can’t we just find someone to fill his shoes?”

“It’s not his shoes that are the problem” Jenna explained

“He’s a six foot stick insect with a bum like a twelve year old boy”

“Oh” Brian said unhelpfully

“We can’t get anyone else with their own costume at this late stage” she went on

Brian went to speak but she was in full flow and cut him off

“No! We can’t hire a costume they’re all gone, and if we put one of the volunteers in Trevor’s costume they will just look ridiculous”

“Don’t you think a six foot Elf is ridiculous anyway?” Brian remarked

“He’s a very good Elf” Jenna said indignantly “and he supplied his own costume”

“So let me get this straight we need someone six feet tall, stick thin with an arse like a 12 year old boy” he asked

“Yes” Jenna replied crossly, “That’s why it’s a disaster”

“I know just the person,” he said

“So let me get this straight we need someone six feet tall, stick thin with an arse like a 12 year old boy” he asked

“Yes” Jenna replied crossly, “That’s why it’s a disaster”

“I know just the person,” he said

“Really?” she asked doubtfully

“Really” he said and taking out his mobile phone he got up his contacts list, scrolled down and hit call.

“Rosie? Where are you?”

“I’m here” she said suddenly emerging from the Church Hall

“What are you doing tomorrow?” he asked and put his phone away.

The Vicar paced up and down like an expectant father while looking her Curate up and down.

“I don’t believe it, the solution was right under my nose all the time” she said  

“Will you do it?” She asked eventually

“Do what?” Rosie asked

“Be the chief Elf to my Santa” he said “You are uniquely qualified”

“Ok” Rosie agreed

“Sorted” Brian replied

“Thank you God” Jenna said looking to the heavens and crossing herself “and thank you Brian”

“You’re perfect Rosie, I can’t believe I didn’t see it” she said

“You obviously don’t spend as much time looking at her as I do” Brian said and then blushed at the realization that he’d said it out loud.

Jenna pretended that she didn’t notice but Rosie did and she was smiling as she went back inside. 

Jenna just kissed his cheek before going off to belatedly enquire about Trevor’s state of health.

On Saturday morning Jenna and Rosie left the Vicarage very early as there was a lot still to do in readiness for the Bazaar.

By the time Brian arrived at St Martin’s school at 11.00am she was fussing around like a mother hen, uncharacteristically wanting things just so.

“Hey sis” he said

“You’re cutting it fine” Jenna said crossly

“There’s plenty of time” he said

“There’s still so much to do” she retorted

“Ok just calm down” Brian said “it’s all in hand”

“Look it’s not just a Christmas Bazaar you know we’re making Christmas memories” Jenna said “it’s important for the children so it’s got to be done right”

Just then Rosie came through the door behind him

“Hello Santa” she said brightly

“Hi Rosie” he said “Hey why aren’t you in costume?”

“Some of us have had a very busy morning Grouchy Clause” Rosie said

“Come on Rosie your costume is through there” said Jenna and lead her away to one of the offices, but she paused by the doorway and let Rosie go ahead of her gave her an appraising look and declared to her brother.

“You were right bro she does have a bum like a twelve year old boy”

“Yes she’s perfect” she heard Brian say and smiled and left him with the drama teacher Cherry Overton-Brown who showed him in to the grotto where he was to be fully regaled in the red velvet suit and sat on his throne where Cherry would apply the finishing touches to his beard, wig and hat.

Jenna was much relieved by the end of the afternoon when everything was over and done.

All the feedback she had heard was that the new Santa had done a very good job so she went to find him and thank him, she had been sharp with him earlier in the day and he hadn’t deserved it.

To get to the grotto you had to enter via an adjoining classroom, like an anteroom, where the walls were hidden behind red velvet drapes, decorated with tinsel and coloured lights.

The adjoining door was slightly ajar so she looked through the gap into the magical grotto. 

Leading to the throne was a snow covered path and on one side of it was a festive tableau of snowmen and reindeer and on the other side Santa’s sleigh was parked.

The huge throne was in the furthest corner surrounded by Christmas parcels where Brian, fully regaled in the red velvet suit was sat on his throne, and sitting on his lap was a tall and flat chested Elf and they were kissing. 

 

As the resident celebrity of Highfinch, and the Vicars boyfriend, Nick Faulkner, was both the guest of honour and the raffle prize draw master.

But with the draw complete he went in search of his own prize draw, namely the Reverend Lawton and he caught up with her in the ante room to Santa’s grotto and she was peering through a gap in the door to the grotto.

“What are you looking at nosy?” Nick said

“Shush” she said and put her finger to her lips “Come and have a look” 

He tiptoed across the room and also peaked through the crack in the door and could see Rosie the Elf snogging Santa Claus.

“Well, well” he said “Just wait until Mrs Claus finds out about this”

“Oh I think she already knows” Jenna said      

With the resounding success of the St Martins School Bazaar and the added bonus of discovering her brother and her Curate were in love she breezed through the Second and third Sundays of Advent which meant she was on the home straight.

The Trifecta of Christingle, Carol Service and the fourth Advent Sunday which were on consecutive days.

But she was in a great frame of mind and was brimming with confidence.

However a phone call from on Wednesday morning threw a spanner in the works, it was from Lee Shuttlewood, the church warden. 

“Oh God, It’s just one thing after another” Jenna said “It’s Christingle on Friday and then the Carol concert”

Jenna hung up and let out a muffled yell.

“What’s the matter? Is life testing you’re patience sis?”

Brian asked cheerfully

“No it’s testing my faith,” she retorted without humour and left the room.

“Now look what you’ve done” Rosie said and followed quickly in the Vicar’s footsteps.

“What was Lee saying anyway?” Rosie asked hoping she would be able to give her some words of comfort 

“The sound system and the visual displays have packed up” Jenna replied “Christingle is in three days”

“Oh no” Rosie exclaimed and started crying and then Jenna had to comfort her.

The Christingle Service has become ingrained in Anglican worship though it had its origins in Eastern Europe.

The Christingle Service is a Service of candle lights where long ago people gathered in the street, sang carols and collected gifts to help the less fortunate in the community.

It is a beautiful candle lit service of hymns, carols, recitations and bible readings, but Christingle goes beyond a candle light service and it tells a story.

A story is told with the symbolic use of specific items, an orange representing the world.

A red ribbon tied around the orange to symbolize the blood of Jesus shed for his people.

Toothpicks decorated with dried fruits and sweets placed at the four corners of the orange representing all the people of the world and a lighted candle in the centre of the orange representing the gift of the light of Christ to the world.

After about 10 minutes Jenna and Rosie were sitting in the kitchen feeling sorry for themselves when they had a visitor.

“Hello!” a voice said

“Who’s that?” Jenna asked 

“Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten me already” Nick said as he appeared in the door way.

“Oh Nick” she said and threw herself into his arms.

Brian had been feeling rather guilty about his earlier flippancy with Jenna so he phoned Nick.

“So what can I do to help?” he asked

“Nothing much” she said “unless you know anything about the sound system”

“Well no” he confessed

“That’s not my area of expertise, but I know people who know people”

“Really?” she said suddenly encouraged.

“I’ll makes some calls” he said

Two hours later, Greg Scott, a friend of Nicks pulled up outside St Martin’s.

Nick introduced him to Jenna, Rosie and Lee Shuttlewood and then they all went inside.

After giving him a brief tour they left him to it and waited in the vestry until he was done.

The waiting was awful, no one spoke and they all feared the worst and Jenna was convinced that Christingle and the Carol Concert would have to be cancelled or simplified significantly.

“So what conclusion have you reached?” Nick asked

“Well it’s not a complicated system,” Gregg replied “I can easily patch it up in the short term, and after Christmas we could look at a more permanent solution maybe even replace the whole thing”   

“We don’t have much money” Jenna added

“That’s not an issue” Greg said “I wouldn’t have a business at all if it wasn’t for Nick so I’m just repaying a long overdue favour”

After Scott had gone Jenna said 

“It’s divine providence”

And burst into tears.

Gregg Scott was good to his word and had the audio visual systems working like clockwork.

He did have to swap out the visual displays as the circuitry was fried on the old ones but he had the work completed in plenty of time for Christingle which was On Friday December 18th.

Gregg Scott had the work completed in plenty of time for Christingle which was On Friday December 18th.

First of all the children assembled at the church hall in their Sunday School groups and made their Christingle lights and when all the congregants were seated in the church the children carried them proudly in procession into the church where they were lit for the service.

It was always a big hit with the children which was why Jenna wanted it to go smoothly, which it did.

The Carol Concert was on the following night and was an all ticket occasion and as always it was performed to a packed house.

The sound system was excellent and the new visual displays came into their own.    

But as successful as the concert was there was no time for Jenna to rest on her laurels because the next morning brought the Sunday Service and the lighting of the fourth candle of advent, the final leg of the trifecta.

From the moment the service ended she relaxed and as she stood in the doorway with the breeze stirring her brunette hair, 

The difference in her demeanour was palpable, her intelligent green eyes were laughing again and broad toothy smile was on full display.

She still had Christmas Morning to contend with but that pretty much took care of itself, she had written the sermon, the readings had been selected as were their readers, the hymns and carols had been chosen and the slideshow for the visual displays was done.

So she was looking forward to a few stress free days off.

The day following the last Sunday of Advent was Nick’s Fortieth birthday so as soon as she was up and dressed she walked round to his house carrying a little gift bag.

She stood on the door step and knocked on the door and when it opened she said

“Happy Birthday old man, I come bearing gifts” 

“Well thank you” he responded and kissed her “Come in”

For his big day she had booked a table at the same restaurant where they had their first serious date, the Runcible Spoon in Purplemere.

It was an expensive restaurant especially for her but she felt it was important.

As a result her present was a bit less than she would have liked to have spent on him, but she made what little she had count by buying something he would appreciate.

  

Nick wasn’t just a TV Sports Presenter he was a sports aficionado.

In fact he was writing a book on the subject, so while she was browsing at the Christmas Bazaar there was a stall selling second hand Bric-à-brac including a small selection of books and amongst them was an old book from the 1970’s entitled ABC of Soccer Sense by Tommy Docherty.

She was sure he would like it until he started unwrapping it and then she thought it was a bit naff.

“Wow” he said “this is one of Norman Giller’s”

“Is that good?” she asked

“Yes it is” he replied “Where on earth did you find it?”

“Do you like it then?” she asked

“I love it” he replied and kissed her

On Christmas Eve Nick suggested they take a walk over to The Kingfisher over in Kingfisherbridge.

They had taken a walk over there on a rainy lunchtime back in September before he had to leave to work on the Rugby World Cup.

They hadn’t been back since, she thought it was sweet of him to think about going back.

It was about a mile and a half walk from Highfinch but it was a much brighter day as they walked towards Hawks Wood on Christmas Eve than the previous occasion.

They had a couple of drinks and some sandwiches and then they headed slowly back.

As they were walking back through Hawk Wood he said

“Look this is where we almost got run over”

Back in September they were so busy concentrating on hearing what the other was saying above the beating of the rain that they didn’t notice the mad cyclist approaching them from behind.

In fact they only knew he was there when he shouted

“GET OUT OF THE WAY, I’M NOT STOPPING” 

They jumped sideway just in the nick of time.

“You Godless heathen” she yelled at the errant cyclist

As Nick was falling backwards and instinctively reached out to grab something while he was falling but the only thing in reach was Jenna so he landed on his back in the wet bracken and she landed on top of him.

“Yes and that’s where you almost kissed me” she said

After jumping clear of their assailant they lay there nose to nose on the wet ground for a full minute before she said

“This is awkward, and not a little compromising for a woman of the cloth”

“Indeed” he agreed desperate to reach up the infinitesimal distance to her lovely lips and plant a kiss on them

“A less gentlemanly man than I would probably take advantage of the situation”

Then he rolled her over onto her back and pushed himself up and helped Jenna to do the same, “But alas I am”

“Trust my luck to find myself lying in the undergrowth with the only gentleman in Highfinch”

And a smile began around her green eyes and a broad toothy smile spread across her pleasant demeanour.

“I seem to remember that was where you almost kissed me” he retorted.

“Well we could just kiss now instead” she suggested so they did.

“You know the old saying” he said “life begins at 40”

“Yes” she replied “Are you going to go all philosophical on me?”

“What I’m trying to say is that my life began before I was 40, because it began when I met you” he said

“Mine too” she agreed

“And there is only one thing that that could possibly improve on that beginning” Nick said taking his hand from his pocket

“So will you marry me?”

“You want to marry me?” she asked staring at the ring

“Of course I want to marry you” he said “But if you say no I’m happy to try your Curate, I do like a brunette”

“Don’t you dare” She said and snatched the ring

“You’re mine”