‘What’s under the tree? Parcels —goody. Go on, open them. It’s almost midnight.’

‘Not quite. I’ll make some spiced tea, hot and strong and then you can help me open Gus’s parcel. The rest can wait, all the bedsocks and hot water bottles, hankies and soap.’ Netta was dying to read the Christmas letter from the farm and to think of Gus tucked up in his room with that stocking waiting at the foot of his bed. It was nearly Christmas Day after all.

She brought out some tree candles that gave a soft rosy glow to the room and stoked up the fire to put the kettle on the hob. Drew had had enough booze for one night. Tearing open the brown paper and sealing wax, she plunged into the parcel for the Christmas card: a snow scene with glittery frosting on the front and a letter neatly attached in Father’s square hand. She smiled as she read out:

Dear Netta,

Peg and Gus join me in wishing you all the best for the season. We hope you have a lovely day with your friends in Griseley and our gifts make up for the disappointment of not being together this Hogmanay. We hope you don’t mind but we’ll be away this Ne’rday, visiting Peg’s cousin, Eileen Huston.

She’s in the family way and can’t travel to us this year so we decided on a wee change so Gus could play with Morag. It’ll make a break for Peg. I’ve got John Paterson’s son, Alan, to do the milking. Hope you’re not too disappointed but I’m sure there’ll be plenty going on for young fry in Yorkshire. Have a Guid New Year.

Aye yours,

Father, Peg and Gus

Drew watched Netta fling the letter across the room and burst into tears. ‘How could they just spring this on me? So that’s why their parcel arrived earlier than normal this year and I just pushed it under the tree as a treat to savour. I did what I always do, saving it for Christmas Day. It’s not fair, Drew, they know how much a visit means to me! I’ve been so busy trying to build up the business, but not to see Gus or be able to give him his present… If only I’d known in time… to make arrangements, go on the train for Christmas. How stupid! They think I don’t care. Perhaps it’s not too late to catch a train on Boxing Day. Oh, Drew, it’s not fair!’

‘I’m sorry, poor you. Not much of Christmas then but we can have our own party here. I’ve a bottle of wine or two in the car and some chocs. Light the candles, put on the gramophone and find some glasses. We can cheer each other up.’