Abby Ch. 33

"That's a relief. I still have a lot to learn, don't I, Sam?"

"You're getting it, Abby. But don't worry; just ask Mr. James or me if you are at all worried. I will say though, you have done a brilliant job so far, even Harry is amazed at how much you know. Shut him up once or twice you did. It was a pleasure to see!"

"He wasn't upset?"

"Only because he didn't think you knew. When he found out that you did know, he was stumped. Gave me a little chuckle, that's for sure." They grinned at each other, and then Sam took his leave.

"Got to meet Mr. James down at the farm, need to talk about drainage on some of the meadows."

"Ok, Sam, shall I see you tonight?"

"Yes, I shall be in about nine, we'll have a chat then. Bye."

The year drew to a close more quickly than any other year Abby had experienced. The last two weeks of November seemed inundated with rain; Abby had lain awake at night listening to the rain exploding in furious gusts on the window. The Lyney River became a torrent of brown swirling water, lapping up to the piers of both bridges threatening to overwhelm its banks. The threat was realised one morning when Abby intending to drive to Gallow Farm discovered the lower fields under a foot or so of water, the road on its embankment a causeway across a lake of sullen water. Looking up she saw that the hills were wearing a coverlet of snow a contrast to the dull browns of the deciduous trees and the lifeless greens of the pines. The road back to Molton was probably impassable with those steep gradients she remembered. Abby now understood what Sam had tried to tell her that the valley had moods and not all of them tranquil. Looking back at the warm spectacle of summer it was hard to envisage then the change that the winter would bring.

Work had continued at the station, but inside work only. The first delivery of meats had been made, and the second was about to leave. Feedback from the Club was extremely encouraging, and Abby turned her thoughts to where else she could place Combe Lyney produce. She was only thinking for the moment, understanding James' advice that she should get the system working, iron out the snags before taking the next step.

George Walker had redirected his workforce to the Station. There was little more that he could do at the house, until the Bathroom suite was delivered and that had been delayed until March. He wouldn't take the roof off or fit the windows until that happened, not wanting to leave the house open to the wet of the West Country winter. George believed that he would complete the station before the house. He told her why. "No Electrical or plumbing to do. Getting the old plaster off and new lime plaster on will not take too long, stripping the wood of paint and priming and re-painting is easy. The Goods shed is even easier, no plastering to do. The only hold up will be the Barge boards. So I reckon they should be finished about March time."

With little to do down at the house, and with everything organised with the Co-op, Abby could relax and turn her thoughts to Christmas. A conversation with Sam one evening changed some of her plans. She had been contemplating her gift list when he had mentioned in passing the tradition of only exchanging presents with family and no one else. He went on.

"None of us has money to throw around, so such presents we do give are always very simple and not expensive, a little bottle of perfume or aftershave is normal." He went on. "Of course on Christmas Eve we all get together for the Carol Walk."

"Carol Walk! What is that?"

"As I said it's on Christmas Eve. We start at the Combe, leaving about eight. We have lanterns and some liquid sustenance to keep out the cold, and we go round the village singing Carols. Some will come out and join us on the way, and we end by going up to Lyney House, where Mr. James will have hot Toddies and Mince Pies ready for us. It brings the whole village together."

Abby thought the idea was great. "Can I join this year."

"Of course you can Girl. You will be very welcome."

Later Abby would realise that Sam had, in a very gentle way, advised her not go overboard with presents for all and sundry. It was a sobering thought, that she could easily have embarrassed some with presents that she thought of as inexpensive, that they could not match. She was in her room at the Inn when this thought came to her.

"Oh Sam. What would I do without you." She scrapped her list, leaving just Sam, Mavis, Jack and Mary, and of course James.

On Christmas Eve, she came down to the bar, dressed for the cold weather. A hot, flustered but nonetheless happy Jack met her and handed her a Lantern attached to a broom handle. Mary rushed around lighting the candles in the Lanterns. All around there were people she knew, most holding Lanterns such as the one she had. For once even the weather, the farming and the bloody government were not discussed. No one appeared to be in charge until Mavis appeared. The little woman soon had everyone organised and one by one the assembly filed out into the lane. Abby was greeted immediately by Abe and Sheila, who had waited patiently outside, happy to join the Carol Walk, but not prepared to waive their condemnation of the demon drink, even for a moment. Sheila took Abby's arm. "Miss Abby, it is so good to see you on this joyous occasion, God bless you." Abe joined in the blessing with a smile, not usual for him. The throng moved off down the lane, with the strains of 'God rest ye Merry Gentlemen' at first heard quietly from the front of the file, and gathering volume as those at the back joined in.

Abby sang lustily, surprised that she could remember the words, as they patrolled the village. Her singing was frequently interrupted as greetings were exchanged with others. Nat was almost unrecognisable, his face sporting a smile which was very different to his normal mournful expression. Susan, still embarrassed by her faux pas again tried to apologise. Harry surprised her with his tuneful Bass singing voice. "You should be in the Church Choir." She told him.

He grinned. "I was when we had one, that was a few years ago though." There was no apparent programme of carols, it appeared spontaneously, when one Carol finished from somewhere in the pack another was started and the rest of the singers took up the refrain. Neither was there any one person in charge, apart from Mavis who bullied anyone she thought was not singing as lustily as possible. However the singers seemed to follow a pattern, probably brought about, thought Abby, by the years this event had taken place. The habits of yesteryear becoming tradition today. The throng grew steadily as the progress was made, until at last they climbed the lane up to Lyney House. As they gathered in the forecourt, lit by Christmas lights strung from tree to tree, and the flickering illumination of at least fifty Lanterns, the Carol 'Silent Night' was sung, with James on the doorstep adding a good baritone to the impromptu Choir. As that Carol ended Mavis led half a dozen ladies inside only to emerge within a minute, carrying trays of Mince Pies, and hot fruit punch. Abby was entranced by the whole episode, never before had she felt so involved with a community, laughing and singing and saying hello to many new friends.

Suddenly she was aware of James by her side. "Did you enjoy that?" He asked.

Abby's smile was the answer. "Absolutely magic. What happens now?"

"Many will go back to the Combe and ease their sore throats with a little drop of something."

"What will you do?" Abby asked James.

"Exactly that, are you coming?"

Abby nodded. "Let's go!"

James took her hand and led her through the bushes on a barely recognisable path to a gate that opened onto the Churchyard, following the path that wound down to the front of the church and eventually to the lane almost opposite the Combe Inn. Abby remonstrated with James. "You didn't tell me about this path, the times I have walked up that lane, when I could have taken this short-cut."

James was suitable chastised, apologising profusely. "I'm sorry. I thought you knew about it." They had made the journey fairly quickly but were not the first to arrive, already Jack and Mary were busy dispensing drinks for the thirsty throng almost overwhelmed by the demand. James took station behind the bar to help and showed himself quite proficient as a Barman.

"You could take this on as a second job." Abby remarked.

"Not likely," replied James, "too much like hard work. You know how us upper classes abhor hard work." It was quite late when James left, and Abby trudged wearily upstairs to her room.

Christmas day dawned, damp and overcast. Abby made herself a cup of tea, then returned to bed, snuggling in the warmth. If she was honest with herself, Sam's words about living in the station house and its isolation had been a wise warning. If she had been living there now, it was unlikely that she would have joined the Carol Walk last night, nor would she be contemplating with pleasure the day to come.

It had been a good day. Mary had tried to coax Abby into eating a larger breakfast giving as a reason, "Well It is Christmas Day!" Abby resisted her, pointing out that Mary would expect her to eat Lunch, of which there would be plenty. She gave Mary the choice, breakfast or lunch, she couldn't eat both. Mary retired having lost that round. The Combe Inn opened for the Lunchtime rush, closing at two o' clock. The usual patrons with dry throats were of course in evidence, yet today their jollity was warmer compared to that of ordinary days. Abby had for a moment in an extraordinary rush, collected glasses and washed them to help Jack out, Mary being very busy in the kitchen at the time. James had arrived just before two, and helped in ushering out those who felt that today of all days they should be allowed one last drink. With shouts of 'Happy Christmas' the last and most persistent were persuaded to leave. Abby again went behind the bar and washed glasses as Jack re-stocked the shelves. James arranged two tables together in the Lounge, as Mary bustled in with tablecloth and cutlery to set up for their feast.

The Capon was indeed all that Mary had promised, and with mounds of Brussels sprouts, roast potatoes, parsnips, peas, and stuffing Abby was tempted to eat more heartily than ever before. Heartily maybe, but no match for James or Jack who attacked the meal in fine style and literally cleared their plates in quick time, and then helped themselves to more.

Around six, they drove down to Gallow Farm, where a party was just starting. Roger, Valerie their two children and Harry had arrived before them. Mavis was in her element and with Mary's help set out a table of cold meats, pork pies, salad, Christmas cake, nuts, and trifles. Abby was unable to eat anymore than a slice of cold Turkey and some Sherry Trifle, but watched in amazement as James loaded a plate and started to clear it with his usual efficiency. After the gargantuan meal he had demolished at Lunch she was amazed that he could manage yet more. The furniture had been pushed back and Sam invited Abby to dance. Her lessons with Sam and Mavis had continued, so she felt only a little consternation at dancing in front of this audience. Within a few minutes they were joined on the floor by most of the other guests. The steps of the Waltz and Quickstep were second nature to her, but the 'Hokey Cokey' gave her problems, putting the left leg in when it should have been the right leg, and turning anti clockwise, when she ought to have turned clockwise.

The party was going on long into the night, when James caught Abby's eye, and asked if she would like to come up to the house. Her smile was all the answer he needed, and they slipped quietly away, or so they thought. An eagle eyed Mavis noted their departure and smiled.

Abby relaxed into James' arms, cocooned in the warmth of his bed. A cup of hot cocoa at the side. "This has been the best Christmas I have ever had, and this is simply the best way to end the day." James' kiss told her he was in agreement with that.

To be continued