“Nonsense. I insist. You have to have something on the right day. Besides, I always travel with far too many clothes.”

And she dragged me up the narrow staircase into a frightfully untidy bedroom. It was clear she rarely traveled without her maid and Mrs. Huggins wasn’t up to the task of keeping a lady’s wardrobe in order.

“Help yourself, darling. Anything you’d like.”

My gaze swept around the room, alighting on a lovely cashmere cardigan in a soft rose. Modesty almost prevented me from asking for it, but I reasoned that she had the money to buy a replacement whenever she wanted while I wasn’t likely to be offered cashmere again in a hurry.

“Could I try this on?” I asked. “It looks as if it might be big enough for me.”

“That old thing?” she said. “Take it, darling. I only brought it in case it was freezing here, but as you can see, it’s lovely and warm.”

I tried it on and it fitted rather well.

“You need a skirt to go with it,” she said. “That tweed you’re wearing is hopelessly shapeless. Let’s see.” She rummaged in a wardrobe and held up a slim gray crepe de chine. “This is long on me and you do have a nice little waist.”

After a half hour I came away with the cardigan and skirt, a divine peach silk scarf and a clever little black hat with a jaunty peacock feather on one side. As we left the bedroom the door beside it opened and Noel Coward peeked out.

“I’ve been finding Christmas presents for Georgie,” my mother said. “Such fun.”

“Oh, God. Is one supposed to give presents?” Noel said. “It never crossed my mind.”

“It’s all right,” I said. “I’m afraid I didn’t bring a present for you, Mr. Coward. I didn’t see anything you might want.”

“Dear child, you couldn’t afford anything I might want,” he said. “In fact, my needs are few these days. But I tell you what—I’ll write a song for you. How would that be?”

“As long as you give her the royalties, Noel,” my mother said astutely.

“Naturally,” he said smoothly. “At least half of them. Ah, well, back to work. I’ve nearly finished that scene, Claire. Can we go through it in a few minutes?”

“I have to get back to the hall.” I gave my mother a kiss on the cheek. “Thank you so much for the presents. They are lovely. I’ll look quite smart for Christmas. See you tomorrow for Christmas dinner, then.”

“I’m not sure if we’re coming,” she said. “Noel doesn’t think they’ll be our kind of people.”

Back downstairs I gave Granddad his little box and Mrs. Huggins her box of toffees. They were both quite moved.