At Gwen’s house she and her sister Ruth were enjoying a glass of wine after putting the girls to bed and talking about Gwen’s admirer.
“He’s
very good looking.”
“Barry
was very good looking and look how that turned out.” Gwen said.
“Not
every man is like Barry” Ruth said, “It’s time to take a chance on someone.”
“It’s
not like I haven’t thought about it” she said, “I am keen on him.”
“And?”
“Well,
several times I’ve made up my mind to stop and talk to him” she said, “But when
it comes to the moment my bottle goes.”
“I
think you need to have another drink and then go round to his house and invite
him round for Christmas dinner” Ruth said.
“No,
I couldn’t do that” Gwen said as Ruth refilled her glass.
After
watching the film, Danny and Molly Facetimed with Sam Nightingale and his
family, and they shared their trials and tribulations of their journey, but
sung the virtues of the wonderful hotel, and they were really looking forward
to meeting in person.
Almost
within the blink of an eye two hours had passed and it was time for them to get
ready for church.
Ruth
slipped Gwen’s shoes on her feet and said
“Come
on time to get back on the horse.”
Then
she took her arm and walked her to the front door.
“Are
you sure about this?” Gwen asked with panic in her voice as she turned to her
sister.
“Definitely”
she replied.
Phil’s
front door was visible from Gwen doorstep and Ruth watched Gwen all the way as
she walked through the snow, despite the cold, and continued watching all the
way to Phil’s front door and watched Gwen knock and it was opened in moments.
It was just after nine
o’clock on Christmas Eve and Phil was rereading the same chapter for the
umpteenth time because the long blinks were setting in, when there was a knock
on the door.
He couldn’t tell who it was,
he thought it was a bit late for carol singers, but beyond that he was
clueless, so he opened the door and was gob smacked.
“Hey Gwen” he said.
“I hope you don’t mind me
popping in on Christmas Eve, I don’t want to upset your plans” she said.
“No plans to interrupt at the
moment I’m afraid, I’m just struggling to keep my eyes open while I finish this
chapter” he replied.
“Is it not a good book?” she
asked.
“It is, I’m just tired” he
said and laughed. “Did you want to come in out of the cold?”
“No, I won’t thanks” Gwen said,
“I just wondered if you’d like to have Christmas dinner with me and my sister,
unless you already have plans.”
“No” he said.
“Oh ok” Gwen said
crestfallen.
“No, I mean I have no plans”
he said hurriedly “I would love to come for dinner.”
“Great” Gwen said and turned
away “Lunch is at 3.”
“See you then” he said and
watched her down the path but didn’t spot her give the thumbs up to her sister
who was still standing on Gwen’s doorstep.
The snow hadn’t completely
abated by the time they left the cottage, but it was much lighter than it had
been, but it was slippery underfoot and Molly held on tightly to Danny’s arm on
the way to St Clara’s.
Despite the cold and the
snow, the church was well attended, and when they walked in it was in semi
darkness to add to the magic.
Molly had always found Midnight
Mass very moving and quite atmospheric when conducted properly.
So, she and Danny took their
seats and settled themselves and then Molly bowed her head, closed her eyes,
and took a few moments to pray.
Her favourite part of the
service was at the stroke of midnight when the lights come up to signify the
light of Christ in the world.
“Magical” she said.
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