Chapter 41
FORTY-ONE
‘I’m not particularly religious, but I think I would just like to say grace, if that’s alright,’ says Ben Woods as we sit down for our Christmas lunch.
He gives thanks for the food we are about to receive, and for bringing families together, as he glances around the table.
‘I have to say, I never thought I would be sharing a table with you this year.’ Ben grins at me as he prepares to carve the turkey.
‘But sometimes in life, things can go full circle. Just like this waistcoat I am wearing that is back in fashion. You would pay a fortune for this in a vintage shop,’ he declares, which has us all smiling.
We raise our filled glasses and wish each other a merry Christmas.
The table is beautifully decorated, with gold-coloured plates and expensive-looking gold and white crackers. A splash of colour is added in the form of a chunky red candle as a centrepiece, along with some red napkins.
The table is groaning with a veritable feast that includes turkey, ham, and an assortment of homegrown vegetables.
Dishes of sprouts and parsnips, along with golden roast potatoes and pigs in blankets, are enough to make my mouth water.
We pass our plates to Ben, who slices the meat and slides them onto our plates.
‘Gosh, this looks fit for a king,’ I comment as I eye a dish of tasty-looking cauliflower cheese.
I tell everyone about my mum being in Kenya for Christmas this year, and Joe says it is something he would love to do once he is qualified.
‘Would you?’ says Nathan, looking a little surprised.
‘Why not?’ Joe replies. ‘I am pretty sure I want to work with farm animals, but it might be a good experience, to figure out what I really want.’
‘I think it’s definitely important to figure out what you really want in life,’ Nathan advises his son.
I can feel him glancing over at me, before he refills our glasses and my face flushes.
As the meal draws on, talk turns to the village and the imminent closure of the library.
‘I can’t say I’m surprised if I’m honest. There has been a couple of clowns running that council for a while now,’ Ben reveals.
‘Totally mismanaged the budget by all accounts.’ He tucks into some Christmas pudding.
‘They barely have the money for the potholes in the road leading out of the village. And do not get me started on the trucks that drive down it. I’ll be dead before they build the bypass they have been considering. ’
‘Oh dear,’ whispers Dylan to Joe. ‘We have set Grandad off now.’ The boys start to clear the table ready to stack the dishwasher and kindly make us all some coffee.
‘Anyway, regarding the library’ – I turn to Nathan, as I sip some coffee – ‘I have an idea I was thinking of running by you.’
‘Oh, yes?’ he says, an intrigued look on his face.
‘Have you ever considered doing something with the old barn?’
‘Once or twice. But I guess I am always so busy, I never really get around to actually doing something about it. Why?’
‘I was just wondering if it could be used as a temporary library type building, for the villagers.’
‘A library?’
‘Well. More of a community hub really,’ I explain. ‘Marilyn mentioned looking for cheap-to-rent premises, and a kind of book cycle, selling cheap books, then returning them. It has worked in other places apparently… She thinks the library will sell off a lot of their books cheaply.’
I notice Nathan doesn’t really answer my question as to what he might do with the barn. But if he is as invested as he says he is in the community, then maybe he will seriously give it some thought.
Later at the cottage, I have a FaceTime call with Mum and we wish each other a merry Christmas.
‘Go and pour a drink. Let’s have a toast!’ Mum is wearing a red paper party hat.
I pour myself a Baileys and push it towards the screen, where she raises her glass of red wine.
‘Have you had a nice day?’ I ask her, and she tells me all about the food she has eaten with all the other volunteers.
‘Not quite turkey with all the trimmings, but quite delicious all the same. So when will you be heading back to London?’ she asks. ‘Although I imagine it will be hard to tear yourself away from the village now,’ she says knowingly.
‘I think it will.’ I sigh. ‘Nathan would like to come to London on New Year’s Eve and watch the fireworks. His sons will be returning to university for their own parties, though, which means he will be leaving his father alone.’
‘He doesn’t need to be alone. There is usually a bring your own drink and food type event at the village hall on New Year’s Eve. I am sure he knows everyone.’
‘Probably…’ I say, thinking I am almost tempted to spend New Year here myself.
After wrapping up the call, I head to bed reflecting on what a wonderful day it has been. And what an unexpected way to spend Christmas.