‘He’s had a brief emergency this morning, but he’ll be here for a quick stir before morning service,’ Lola replied from the kitchen. ‘What are you doing after this?’
Freya rolled her eyes. ‘Guess? More wallpaper removal. Although I’m tempted to tell him just to paint over it all. I’ve had enough of steaming and scraping. I can stay and work if you want?’
‘That would be great, I need a bit of time to start feeding brandy into the Christmas cakes that are maturing,’ she said, as Freya headed out of the kitchen to take a plate of toast to Alf and Angelo.
Lola carried on singing along to the radio and whilst everyone else tucked into breakfast, she finished off the pudding prep and set about icing the coffee and walnut loaf. She heard the door swing open and the sound of Tristan’s voice greeting everyone.
‘Sorry, have I kept you all waiting?’ he asked as he unwrapped his layers, eyes darting straight to Lola, stopping her in her tracks.
‘Not at all, perfect timing actually,’ she said as she placed the cake on the counter. ‘There might be some toast left if Scruff hasn’t got to it all.’
The dog barked in protest, but instead of joining them at the table, Tristan came over to the counter and paid for an Earl Grey tea. As Lola made it, he lowered his voice and said, ‘I’ve been checking the forecast and Tuesday looks clear for stargazing, if you’re still up for it?’
Lola passed him his tea. Tristan was looking at her as if her answer meant everything. ‘Of course I am. Tuesday would be perfect.’
The smile that flashed across his face was like a lightning bolt through Lola.
Once they’d finished their breakfast Freya flicked the latch on the door so that they could have a few moments peace and Alf told Scruff, in a very stern voice, to stay sitting where he was. They all filed into the kitchen where Lola handed out aprons and supervised handwashing, after shutting the door on Scruff despite his whimper at being left out.
Angelo took his apron with a dark look. It was pink with little yellow ducks on it. ‘I’m stirring a pudding. I’m pretty sure I can trust myself not to get any down me.’
Freya giggled and slipped hers over her head before rolling her sleeves up. In the middle of the kitchen island sat a huge mixing bowl full of fruity, fragrant pudding mix. ‘It smells divine! I love Christmas pudding. We used to help my grandparents make them. I’ve not had a home-made one for years.’ Freya dipped a finger in the mixture, a movement that earned a slap on the wrist from Lola.
‘This is my Nannie Ruby’s recipe,’ she told them, pausing to see if the name registered with Alf. Either it didn’t or he’d developed a very good poker face, so she continued, ’I have to confess I’ve never tried making it myself because it was always her domain, and I’ve never had the need to whip up a massive pudding. But it smells and looks exactly as I remember, so I think she’d approve.’ Lola pulled out a wooden spoon, its handle worn smooth. ‘This is her famous stirring spoon. It’s what imparts all the magic into my bakes, and you’re very honoured to all have a go with it. Who wants to start? Alf?’
‘Oh go on.’ Alf came forward and seized the spoon and started to stir. ‘This is good, takes me back to my childhood. We didn’t do much for Christmas then, it wasn’t as commercial, just church and gathering together. None of these stacks of presents. We’ve lost our way with all this commercialism,’ he mused as he stirred. ‘But I think this is good, being together is the true spirit of Christmas. I’m looking forward to Christmas Day, us all being together. I don’t really need to wish for anything else.’
‘What would you usually do at Christmas?’ Tristan asked.
Alf relinquished the spoon and shrugged. ‘Mostly just me and Scruff. I get invited by all sorts of people to join their Christmases, which is lovely, but I’m not one for imposing or big celebrations. At least not with the wrong people. I might be alone but I’ve never felt lonely.’ Scruff started to whine in the café, put out that he wasn’t being included. Alf rolled his eyes. ‘In fact, I never get a moments peace with that one!’
Everyone laughed and Freya stepped forward to take up the spoon. Lola watched her stir the gooey pudding mixture with focus, turning it over as she mentally sent out her wishes. Resisting the urge to give an Alf-style monologue she simply said, ‘I’m looking forward to it too, especially all the lead-up to Christmas.’
‘Are you not missing London?’ Alf asked.
Freya shook her head. ‘No, I was mostly working at Christmas when I was there, which can be fun, but it’s also exhausting. I always felt like I was part of the party but not properly in it. I’m much happier here with all of you. Christmas is what you make it.’ She passed the spoon to Angelo, who looked a bit puzzled.
‘Erm, I’ve never done this before, so, here goes.’ He gave the mixture a tentative stir before finding his rhythm. ‘Actually, this is quite fun. But I’m not telling any of you what I’m wishing for, even though I basically have everything I need right here. I’m properly contented for the first time in my life.’
‘But you’d like some house-decorating fairies to turn up, yes?’ Freya teased.
Angelo grinned. ‘Ssh, I’m not meant to divulge anything.’ He stopped stirring and stepped back to let Tristan take his turn.
‘In all the years I’ve been a vicar I’ve never felt as welcome as I do here. I might have comforted the bereaved or counselled the lost but I’ve never stirred a Christmas pudding with a group of people who have become friends I love. This has been a wonderful village to join and although there was some resistance when I arrived because I was young and new, I’ve enjoyed the challenges. You’re all so passionate about life here, you make my job so much easier,’ Tristan said.
‘I think you’re preaching to the converted,’ Alf pointed out, ‘we’re all on your side anyway, but it’s a lovely sentiment.’
Tristan stirred in silence for a while longer, concentrating on the hypnotic way the mixture folded and turned in on itself, the festive aroma filling the air. When he’d done enough he held the spoon out to Lola.
‘I’ve already had my wish, it’d be greedy to have another one.’
Tristan took her hand and pulled her over to the bowl, transferring the spoon into her hand. ‘There will never be enough wishes for the woman who makes all the magic happen.’
Face flushed, Lola took the spoon from him, their fingers brushing, gazes lingering. Slowly she began to stir. Aware that everyone was watching them, Lola broke her gaze from Tristan’s and concentrated on stirring the pudding, trying to ignore the way her stomach had flipped at the touch of his hand, her excitement for Tuesday blooming even more.
‘Happy thoughts and love—’ she smiled warmly at her friends ‘are what really make the world go round. And I have both in spades here with you all.’
Chapter Eighteen
