Read Christmas Past for Free Online

organise a party. Dr Roberts guessed the young
novices gained as much pleasure out of the event as the children.
    Mary chopped vigorously at the dried chives, then beat them into the bowl of eggs and cheese ready to make omelettes. She always did a light meal on rehearsal nights so as not to upset the
doctor’s digestion. She had made a junket to follow, so she wouldn’t need to open the oven door and spoil the dark rich Christmas cakes.
    The table was already set, and Mary marvelled as usual that she should be sharing the meal with her employers. The fact was she was treated almost like a daughter, and she never failed to be
grateful. She wondered what to wear tonight and couldn’t wait to soak herself in the long bathtub. At least with the fire roaring away to keep the oven hot there would be no shortage of hot
water.
    She decided on her brown dress. Fashioned in lovely soft shantung, it was supposed to be worn at Christmas, but as Tom wouldn’t be here then she would wear it tonight. She wanted him to
remember her looking her best. She slipped into the satin panties and brassiere she had bought on her last trip to Sheffield. It was the first time Mary had ever spent anything on herself apart
from essentials. She had spent the rest of her accumulated wages on presents: warm stockings for her ma, Norah and Kathleen, socks for her da, a dictionary for Bill – the only studious one
– a book about animals for Jimmy and for little Michael a brightly illustrated nursery rhyme book. A handkerchief for Father Flynn, and a pretty lace one for Joyce Bailey, which she sent
direct to Lil’s house in case her ma refused to deliver it on her behalf.
    Dr Roberts had offered to pay for Mary to travel home for Christmas, and longing to see her family she had almost accepted his offer. Then, realising how much the Robertses would miss her help
in the house over the busy period, she had decided to stay here. Besides, although she loved and missed her family, Moorland House had worked its magic on Mary so that she now felt as much at home
here as she had in Newcastle.
    Gladys’s relief at her decision was well worth forsaking the Christmas visit for. She was promised the fare to go as soon afterwards as she wished, and made up her mind to take advantage
of the offer the moment the worst of the weather had passed, secretly dreading being stranded up in Newcastle by snow. A visit was one thing, but Mary couldn’t face the thought of not coming
back to Longfield.
    Tom tapped on the kitchen window for Mary to let him in. The doors were always kept bolted after dark, even though passers-by were few and far between up here in winter.
    She threw her arms about his neck before she realised how wet he was, then helped him off with his overcoat. He watched her hang it on the cupboard door handle near the fire to dry, drinking in
the beauty of her as he would wine. God, if it wasn’t for the bloody war he would marry her tomorrow.
    Mary poured the tea, strong and thick, into the two cups, then added milk and sugar and stirred it sitting at the table. Tom stood with his back to the fire. He remained silent for what seemed
ages, until Mary felt herself blushing beneath his gaze.
    ‘Well, have you lost your tongue?’ She smiled.
    ‘To tell yer the truth I’ve so much to say to yer I don’t know where to start.’
    ‘Well, start somewhere.’
    ‘I love yer, Mary, so much it hurts just to look at yer, knowing that tomorrow I shall be leaving yer.’
    ‘Tomorrow? I thought we’d two more days? You said you were going on Thursday.’
    ‘I know, love. I didn’t want to upset yer more than I had to. It would only have spoiled yer weekend, and it wouldn’t have altered owt.’
    Mary felt her eyes fill with tears, so she jumped up and busied herself raking down the fire so that Tom wouldn’t notice. He reached out and ran his fingers through her hair. She
straightened up and moved closer to him, and he drew her into his arms,