When Ray had mentioned he might be staying at Snowden for Christmas too, Maggie had teased him. ‘Charity won’t be here, you know!’

But she’d been pleased. Apart from Charity, Ray was her best friend here. ‘It’ll be smashing to have you here,’ she’d added. ‘But won’t your mum be upset?’

Ray had wrinkled his nose. ‘She’s got a new grandchild to make a fuss of. My sister’s first. I don’t think I’ll be missed very much.’

Chapter 46

Joseph ruined Christmas Day within ten minutes of waking up.

Dakin brought breakfast to their room on a tray and as Esther sipped her tea, bleary-eyed, Joseph retrieved the box he’d stashed at the bottom of the wardrobe.

He heaved it across the room and placed it on the floor next to her bed. ‘Here’s your present, darling. It would’ve been a devil to wrap, hence the box. Thought we’d do our presents here, just the two of us.’

Esther frowned. ‘You know I’m going for a ride this morning?’

Joseph tapped the box and beamed at her.

She didn’t smile back. ‘It’s awfully big.’

‘Something different this year. How many earrings can a girl wear, after all?’

Esther sighed, drained her cup, placed it on the bedstand and leaned down to flip open the lid of the box. She peered inside and then looked up at Joseph. ‘A saddle,’ she said.

‘Didn’t you say you needed a new one?’

‘I daresay I did.’

Joseph wanted to say something about austerity and being practical rather than extravagant but he bit his tongue. The saddle had been surprisingly expensive and he’d gone to a lot of trouble, ensuring it was the right size. It would actually have been easier to give her jewellery as usual but he’d wanted to surprise her.

He kissed her lightly on the forehead, ignoring her flinch. She said thank you quietly.

‘I haven’t had a chance to wrap your gift yet, Jay. I’ll give it to you later.’

He nodded. ‘Go and enjoy your ride, have a bath when you get back and by then our guests will have arrived.’

Esther’s face brightened. ‘Ah yes, Rudi. I’ve missed him terribly.’

Rudi was coming for Christmas Day. And that meant Gwen was coming too. And for Joseph, that was going to be the best part of Christmas.

* * *

How queer it was, Maggie thought, to wake up alone on Christmas morning in the room she normally shared with Pam and Nancy.

She’d expected to relish the peace and quiet but, in truth, she missed them. She even missed the customary morning rush for the bathroom.

She and Ray had been out for a ride on Daisy the tandem after breakfast. They’d cut some holly and mistletoe to decorate the house and seen some of the villagers coming back from church.