Thursday 31st December
It is late afternoon and I am sitting in my room in the big armchair by the fire. I hope my writing is legible as I am using a book to rest the paper on my lap. The house is quiet for the moment as most of us are having a rest before the party - even Rosamund has admitted defeat and asked not to be disturbed for a couple of hours. After our early night last night we were all up bright eyed and bushy tailed this morning. I had a hearty breakfast of porridge with some cream and fruit compote then tomato and sausage and a slice of toast and marmalade. Fruit juice and coffee as well of course. Rosamund and Elouise were already organising the decorations for tonight and Henry and John had gone off somewhere so to begin with it was just Brian and me. Lavinia and Harriet had their breakfast with the children and then were getting them ready for a day out with Geraldine and her two. They are to stay the night with her too and Jane is invited to the party which Harriet is really pleased about. Alfred spent all morning closeted away in his office although I noticed that The Times had disappeared so I don't think it was solely to catch up with his paperwork!
Paul arrived quite a bit later than usual so he was glad to see that there was still some breakfast left. Brian had nearly finished and so had I but it seemed churlish to leave him on his own so I had another cup of coffee and we looked at a crossword together for a while. He invited me to go for a walk and as I was at a bit of a loose end I accepted and we were out for nearly two hours. I can't really remember what we talked about - nothing like as intense as the other day - but the time flew by. It's funny, isn't it, how having known someone when you were young makes it easier to be friends later in life. He reminded me that I did spend some time there when I was about 14 or 15. It was in the summer when he had just finished University. I had got mixed up in my mind with the times when I was younger.
Lunch was a wonderful cold collation, as my mother would have called it. Mrs Davey and her sister were very busy preparing the food for the party so Jane Harriet and Mary had prepared it between them and a very good job of it they did too. Lavinia and I did our bit and washed up after lunch but I'm not sure we weren't a bit in the way really. We sat in the drawing room for a while but then we were in the way there too and gradually everyone drifted off to rest and get ready after tea
I shall start thinking about getting ready myself soon. I didn't tell you about my costume. Rosamund didn't impose a theme on us but did ask that no one wear anything too bulky, like a crinoline or such like, as she doesn't have the luxury of a big ballroom like Geraldine and people will have to move around between the rooms. The conservatory will be the "quiet" space, the drinks will be set up in the snug, the food in the dining room and that will leave the drawing room and library for chatting and the hall for any dancing as that is where the gramophone will be. My costume is an Egyptian Queen. I have a cleverly draped white dress with a very fancy gold coloured belt, a black wig and some arm bands and costume jewellery and some high heeled sandals which are not very Egyptian but look much better than flats would have done. I have some thick black eyeliner blue shadow and a little drawing to copy when I do my face. I also have a heavy stole which hopefully I won't need as the house is going to be very warm I think. I should get on really. I won't sign off as I don't expect to get out to post this until later tomorrow so I will be able to add my report on the party before I do
Thursday, 31 December 2009
Wednesday, 30 December 2009
30th
Wednesday 30th December
Dear Cousin Edith
I have a nasty feeling that I forgot to sign my letter yesterday. I put it in the envelope very hurriedly as Alfred was going to the station and Rosamund wanted me to go with her in the car to the town that is near here, so that she could drop him first and then we would be able to take our time over her shopping. I must admit that I would have preferred to have a lazy morning. I was feeling a little the worse for wear after last night. I used to have no problem at all, partying and then getting up fresh in the morning at the usual time but I'm not used to it anymore.
Rosamund wanted me to help her with some last minute arrangements for the party tomorrow, and I still had to choose my costume, as it is to be fancy dress. We were most of the morning and everyone else had already had lunch when we got back. I had some soup and a turkey sandwich and was able to go and have a lie down for a while.
I went out for a walk later. The woods almost surround the gardens and it is quite easy to loose one's bearings if one does not know the area well. I found myself on the edge of the village and sat for a while on a bench by the pond. Then I went back again through some of the bits that I remember playing in as a child. There was the tree where we had our "den" and an old brick built store house which is just as overgrown as I remember it. I seemed to recall some fancy chickens pecking about there and a hen house and I poked about a bit and found what might have been the remains of a coop. Most of the snow has gone now but I made quite a mess of my shoes (the old brown ones fortunately) and got some mud on the hem of my skirt. Walking back towards the house I could see the lights in the windows and some of the curtains were not yet drawn and it looked so warm and inviting. I think I shall miss it and feel quite claustrophobic in my flat for a while.
I was pleased to find that I was not the only one suffering from the effects of the late night and everyone except Rosamund went off to bed quite early. The last day of the year tomorrow - I must think seriously about my resolutions. Last year I still didn't feel like moving forward but this year I think I can.
A very Happy New Year to you and Laura and Wilfred
Freda
Dear Cousin Edith
I have a nasty feeling that I forgot to sign my letter yesterday. I put it in the envelope very hurriedly as Alfred was going to the station and Rosamund wanted me to go with her in the car to the town that is near here, so that she could drop him first and then we would be able to take our time over her shopping. I must admit that I would have preferred to have a lazy morning. I was feeling a little the worse for wear after last night. I used to have no problem at all, partying and then getting up fresh in the morning at the usual time but I'm not used to it anymore.
Rosamund wanted me to help her with some last minute arrangements for the party tomorrow, and I still had to choose my costume, as it is to be fancy dress. We were most of the morning and everyone else had already had lunch when we got back. I had some soup and a turkey sandwich and was able to go and have a lie down for a while.
I went out for a walk later. The woods almost surround the gardens and it is quite easy to loose one's bearings if one does not know the area well. I found myself on the edge of the village and sat for a while on a bench by the pond. Then I went back again through some of the bits that I remember playing in as a child. There was the tree where we had our "den" and an old brick built store house which is just as overgrown as I remember it. I seemed to recall some fancy chickens pecking about there and a hen house and I poked about a bit and found what might have been the remains of a coop. Most of the snow has gone now but I made quite a mess of my shoes (the old brown ones fortunately) and got some mud on the hem of my skirt. Walking back towards the house I could see the lights in the windows and some of the curtains were not yet drawn and it looked so warm and inviting. I think I shall miss it and feel quite claustrophobic in my flat for a while.
I was pleased to find that I was not the only one suffering from the effects of the late night and everyone except Rosamund went off to bed quite early. The last day of the year tomorrow - I must think seriously about my resolutions. Last year I still didn't feel like moving forward but this year I think I can.
A very Happy New Year to you and Laura and Wilfred
Freda
Tuesday, 29 December 2009
29th
Tues 29th
We got back from Geraldine’s house about half an hour ago and although I am ready for bed, I really don’t feel like sleeping yet. It has been an amazing evening. As you know, all the ladies were instructed to wear only green and/or purple. When we arrived the gentlemen were all given a choice of green or purple bow ties to swap for their own black and when we went into the ballroom it quite took my breath away. The room is decorated entirely in white and the furniture is all black. I suppose in an artist's house it constitutes a "blank canvas". Rosamund had mentioned that when they have parties they choose a colour theme and dress the room accordingly. It was all green and purple, everything! The cloths on the tables, the napkins and table decorations, the ornaments and Christmas Tree (which was huge) even the glasses and tableware. It was a stunning sight and just magical with all of us dressed in the same colours too. I have to say that I was very pleased with my dress and I hope you will not be shocked when I tell you that I felt single again for the first time. What I mean is that I felt what I felt without feeling guilty about it. I don’t know if that makes any sense. I looked around the room once or twice and found myself looking at some of the men as I would have done before I met Frederick and catching sight of myself in the reflection in the windows and feeling good about what I saw. John did dance with me twice but he seemed to me to be always looking out for Harriet, which will rather concern Rosamund. Alfred and Henry did their duty and gave me one dance. Brian did not, as far as I am aware, dance at all with anyone, not even Lavinia, but some men are just like that, aren’t they! Paul spent quite a lot of time talking to him and I didn’t think I was going to see him dancing either but he surprised me by asking me to dance quite near the end of the evening. I suppose he feels safe with me. I have to admit that I had a little too much to drink over all and suddenly realised just how close I had allowed him to hold me. I managed to ease myself away again and I don’t think it was obvious. John was dancing with Harriet and I think he made some comment to her about it though. I can only hope that it will all be forgotten in the morning. Rosamund Alfred and I walked back to the house together. I think maybe I do need to get to sleep after all. I hope to write more tomorrow
We got back from Geraldine’s house about half an hour ago and although I am ready for bed, I really don’t feel like sleeping yet. It has been an amazing evening. As you know, all the ladies were instructed to wear only green and/or purple. When we arrived the gentlemen were all given a choice of green or purple bow ties to swap for their own black and when we went into the ballroom it quite took my breath away. The room is decorated entirely in white and the furniture is all black. I suppose in an artist's house it constitutes a "blank canvas". Rosamund had mentioned that when they have parties they choose a colour theme and dress the room accordingly. It was all green and purple, everything! The cloths on the tables, the napkins and table decorations, the ornaments and Christmas Tree (which was huge) even the glasses and tableware. It was a stunning sight and just magical with all of us dressed in the same colours too. I have to say that I was very pleased with my dress and I hope you will not be shocked when I tell you that I felt single again for the first time. What I mean is that I felt what I felt without feeling guilty about it. I don’t know if that makes any sense. I looked around the room once or twice and found myself looking at some of the men as I would have done before I met Frederick and catching sight of myself in the reflection in the windows and feeling good about what I saw. John did dance with me twice but he seemed to me to be always looking out for Harriet, which will rather concern Rosamund. Alfred and Henry did their duty and gave me one dance. Brian did not, as far as I am aware, dance at all with anyone, not even Lavinia, but some men are just like that, aren’t they! Paul spent quite a lot of time talking to him and I didn’t think I was going to see him dancing either but he surprised me by asking me to dance quite near the end of the evening. I suppose he feels safe with me. I have to admit that I had a little too much to drink over all and suddenly realised just how close I had allowed him to hold me. I managed to ease myself away again and I don’t think it was obvious. John was dancing with Harriet and I think he made some comment to her about it though. I can only hope that it will all be forgotten in the morning. Rosamund Alfred and I walked back to the house together. I think maybe I do need to get to sleep after all. I hope to write more tomorrow
Monday, 28 December 2009
Monday 28th
Mon 28th
Dear Cousin Edith
There have been a lot of comings and goings today. Brian had to go back to his office but will be joining us again tomorrow evening. Elizabeth and Alistair left this morning as they were expected at Alistair’s brother’s for the New Year and Elizabeth wanted to go home for a couple of days to give the children a break (and herself as well I wouldn’t wonder) It is a shame for them that they will have to miss Geraldine's party (by the way, I have been told I should call her Gerry!) Jane will probably be relieved – I should think it has been hard work for her with 2 extra charges to take care of. As it happens it was fortunate because little Ellen was taken quite ill at lunchtime and the doctor had to be called. He was reasonably happy that it was just the excitement and change from her routine but Jane stayed with her for the afternoon and Harriet was more than happy to look after the other two. Lavinia didn’t stray far from the nursery either.
Alfred had some business to attend to in the town and Henry and John went with him so, while Rosamund saw to domestic matters, Elouise and I took the opportunity to pay a visit to Geraldine to see if there was anything we could do to help with the preparations. We were made very welcome but banned from the big room where the party is to take place. Geraldine doesn't want the surprise to be spoilt for any of us.
I think I told you that she and Pierre had the house built only a few years ago and that it is very modern. The entrance leads into a square reception room from which rises a rather grand staircase to one side. There are double doors into the room they call the ballroom and a hall way down the side of that room which leads gives access to the sitting room, library and terrace. On the other side of the stair case is another hallway which leads to the kitchen rooms. The dining room is at the front of the house off the reception room. The outside of the house is very angular and painted white with smart black metal frames to the windows. On the first floor there is a balcony at the front of the house and at the back there is a sort of terrace leading from one of the rooms onto the roof of the ballroom. Then on the second floor there must be Geraldine and Pierre's studio as there are some huge windows to the northern aspect. She's very busy at the moment but sometime I would love to have a really good look round. The room she took us into was decorated in a pale grey, with vivid red upholstery on the chairs and a similar colour for the curtains. The rug was dark grey, quite plain, and there were lots of paintings on the walls, mostly theirs but a few in other styles. We had tea and some delicious home made cake but we were obviously "de trop" so made our way back to The Old Rectory quite soon.
On the walk back Elouise started to talk a little about John. She was concerned that I might have been becoming interested in him! I reassured her but had to be careful what I said, of course. I did mention that I thought he had been paying a lot of attention to Harriet but she dismissed this.
The house was very warm this evening so I wore my grey evening dress without a jacket. We had a fairly light meal, fish and a fruit crumble. After dinner we played bridge for a long time. Rosamund made us all turn and turn about with partners. Harriet does not play so John offered to stand down but Elouise insisted that he take her place. Maybe my comments earlier did have some effect after all.
When we looked at the scores at the end of the evening Paul and I had tied in second place. Alfred was first. I am sitting here in my room now, the fire is dying down and I really should go to bed but I don't feel very sleepy. I am looking forward to the party tomorrow.
I couldn't sleep and I couldn't find anything to read here so I went downstairs to the library to see if I could find something there. I disturbed Rosamund, who was sitting by the fire. We have had an interesting discussion but it's too complicated to explain. I want to get this posted in the morning so I will tell you about it tomorrow
My very best
Freda
Dear Cousin Edith
There have been a lot of comings and goings today. Brian had to go back to his office but will be joining us again tomorrow evening. Elizabeth and Alistair left this morning as they were expected at Alistair’s brother’s for the New Year and Elizabeth wanted to go home for a couple of days to give the children a break (and herself as well I wouldn’t wonder) It is a shame for them that they will have to miss Geraldine's party (by the way, I have been told I should call her Gerry!) Jane will probably be relieved – I should think it has been hard work for her with 2 extra charges to take care of. As it happens it was fortunate because little Ellen was taken quite ill at lunchtime and the doctor had to be called. He was reasonably happy that it was just the excitement and change from her routine but Jane stayed with her for the afternoon and Harriet was more than happy to look after the other two. Lavinia didn’t stray far from the nursery either.
Alfred had some business to attend to in the town and Henry and John went with him so, while Rosamund saw to domestic matters, Elouise and I took the opportunity to pay a visit to Geraldine to see if there was anything we could do to help with the preparations. We were made very welcome but banned from the big room where the party is to take place. Geraldine doesn't want the surprise to be spoilt for any of us.
I think I told you that she and Pierre had the house built only a few years ago and that it is very modern. The entrance leads into a square reception room from which rises a rather grand staircase to one side. There are double doors into the room they call the ballroom and a hall way down the side of that room which leads gives access to the sitting room, library and terrace. On the other side of the stair case is another hallway which leads to the kitchen rooms. The dining room is at the front of the house off the reception room. The outside of the house is very angular and painted white with smart black metal frames to the windows. On the first floor there is a balcony at the front of the house and at the back there is a sort of terrace leading from one of the rooms onto the roof of the ballroom. Then on the second floor there must be Geraldine and Pierre's studio as there are some huge windows to the northern aspect. She's very busy at the moment but sometime I would love to have a really good look round. The room she took us into was decorated in a pale grey, with vivid red upholstery on the chairs and a similar colour for the curtains. The rug was dark grey, quite plain, and there were lots of paintings on the walls, mostly theirs but a few in other styles. We had tea and some delicious home made cake but we were obviously "de trop" so made our way back to The Old Rectory quite soon.
On the walk back Elouise started to talk a little about John. She was concerned that I might have been becoming interested in him! I reassured her but had to be careful what I said, of course. I did mention that I thought he had been paying a lot of attention to Harriet but she dismissed this.
The house was very warm this evening so I wore my grey evening dress without a jacket. We had a fairly light meal, fish and a fruit crumble. After dinner we played bridge for a long time. Rosamund made us all turn and turn about with partners. Harriet does not play so John offered to stand down but Elouise insisted that he take her place. Maybe my comments earlier did have some effect after all.
When we looked at the scores at the end of the evening Paul and I had tied in second place. Alfred was first. I am sitting here in my room now, the fire is dying down and I really should go to bed but I don't feel very sleepy. I am looking forward to the party tomorrow.
I couldn't sleep and I couldn't find anything to read here so I went downstairs to the library to see if I could find something there. I disturbed Rosamund, who was sitting by the fire. We have had an interesting discussion but it's too complicated to explain. I want to get this posted in the morning so I will tell you about it tomorrow
My very best
Freda
Sunday, 27 December 2009
26th and 27th
Sat 26th
Dear Cousin Edith
How lovely to receive a letter from you this morning. I am so glad that you are beginning to feel stronger but hope that you will not have over done things in your enthusiasm. Having Laura to stay and help you celebrate Christmas must be a great boost. I am so happy for her too - you did not say when the baby is due, do let me know. It was good of Wilfred to let her come still.
I have had rather a lazy day so far. I had a little kedgeree for breakfast but still felt quite full from yesterday. I had planned to wear my pink and green tweed skirt with the pink jacket and the green twin set but the weather seems to have turned colder so I put on my big thick green Aran cardigan instead. I wanted to wear the brooch that I had from Rosamund and Arthur and pinned it to the cardigan but it would have looked nicer on the jacket. It was very quiet this morning until the children went outside to play in the snow. Harriet took her breakfast with them and Jane. Rosamund mentioned to me that Harriet had told her that she felt a bit awkward with the rest of us, isn't that silly. I wish I had made more of an effort to be friendly but I had thought that ....oh well, it doesn't matter what I thought. I will try to talk to her at lunch and see if she would like to come for a walk, just the two of us, this afternoon. At the moment I am sitting in the little room that Rosamund calls the "snug" and enjoying some solitude. Although it has made my Christmas to be surrounded by people, I do find it a bit wearing after a while. I suppose that is what happens when you get used to living alone. I sat staring into the fire as I drank my coffee and started to get a bit melancholy so that is why I began my letter to you now.
This room is furnished with some old leather sofas and a blue rug and patterned curtains. The wall paper is a dark blue and beige stripe. There is a book case and two china cabinets with all sorts of bits and pieces in them. On the shelves I found a photo album and there were a few of mother and me with Rosamund and Alfred, and Geraldine when she was little and Paul as a rather gangly youth. There's the gong for lunch.
Now it is night time again. We had my favourite meal of Christmas at lunch time, cold meat and bubble and squeak and pickles. The men had all gone off to a shoot on a nearby farm so there was just Rosamund, Harriet, Lavinia and myself. Elizabeth and Elouise were out with Geraldine somewhere to help with the decorations and food for the party on Tuesday. She had insisted that Rosamund have nothing to do with it as she has been working so hard. Rosamund told us a few things about John which she could not have spoken of in front of Elouise but she was concerned about Harriet and the way that she seemed to be taking a bit of a shine to him. She said that she wanted to speak of it in front of me and Lavinia so that Harriet would know that it was only out of concern for her welfare. I can't really say more than that in this letter. However, it puts a different light on things, particularly the way Paul spoke to him after he had tried to strike up a conversation with me in the library. I also think I may have been wrong about R trying to get Paul and Harriet together and that it had more to do with keeping John at a distance from her. I'll explain more when I see you. In the end all four of us went for a walk and I think that it did make Harriet realise that she really is cared for, not just invited out of a sense of duty. It was interesting to hear her and R talking about their mutual family.
We were out for a long time and when we got back the men were all having tea and full of their morning's sport. I have been shooting myself and would rather have liked to have gone too but it was an all male gathering. Well, we have to let them off the leash occasionally, don't we!
We had lobster this evening and then a chocolate tarte. I am glad I had that long walk. I shall have to go the long way round to church tomorrow as well. I was pleased to see Harriet more relaxed. John seemed to be in a bit of a sulk. Rosamund was determined that we should play some parlour games this evening but he would not join in and went off to the snug to read. Paul took him a drink a little later and stayed talking to him and then when he returned Henry went to keep him company but came back to say he had gone off to bed.
We played charades, which I always enjoy, and some paper and pencil games like Consequences.
27th December
It was only when we got back from church this morning that I realised I had forgotten to post this letter to you, so I may as well continue with it and pop it in the box later. I was quite ravenous at breakfast. It may be that we were a little later than usual, or all that walking, but I had porridge, egg, bacon, fried bread, tomatoes, mushrooms and a sausage, and orange juice, and then some toast and marmalade and coffee. I wore my new green dress and the beads that I had from Paul. My grey coat is really warm and I was glad of it on the walk to church, and sitting there. They have quite a large congregation so singing the hymns helped me warm up as I could be as loud as I liked and not be heard! The sermon was very good again. Paul introduced Lavinia and me to the vicar's wife and she gave him a very odd look. I know I am probably imagining things but it was almost conspiratorial. He had mentioned a book to me yesterday that he thought I might like to borrow and after lunch he suggested that we walk back to his cottage to pick it up .
I don't know why I should have felt uncomfortable about it. As it was, we had such a good conversation, mostly about Frederick. He asked me some quite pointed questions and I ended up telling him things I don't think I had ever told anyone else, about what happened in those last few weeks particularly. Things I haven't really been able to put into words before. Strange that it should be Paul that drew that out, rather than Rosamund or one of the other women.
The cottage is very well furnished and decorated, not at all how I imagined. I suppose one always expects a single man to live in a mess. The kitchen is all pale green and cream and he has some very up to date equipment and obviously enjoys cooking. The sitting room has a big open fireplace and old furniture brightened up with tapestry cushions and a big old shawl across the settee. There is a little study too although I didn't see in there. By the time we set off back to the house the light had almost faded. I do hope it was not a cause for comment.
Paul did not stay for dinner and Henry, Elouise and John had gone to visit some friends who live nearby so we had a quiet evening by comparison to how it has been. Simple roast beef, although with all the trimmings, and apple pie. It is only 10 o'clock but I am feeling very tired so am going to bed early.
Hope this finds you well
My very best wishes
Freda
Dear Cousin Edith
How lovely to receive a letter from you this morning. I am so glad that you are beginning to feel stronger but hope that you will not have over done things in your enthusiasm. Having Laura to stay and help you celebrate Christmas must be a great boost. I am so happy for her too - you did not say when the baby is due, do let me know. It was good of Wilfred to let her come still.
I have had rather a lazy day so far. I had a little kedgeree for breakfast but still felt quite full from yesterday. I had planned to wear my pink and green tweed skirt with the pink jacket and the green twin set but the weather seems to have turned colder so I put on my big thick green Aran cardigan instead. I wanted to wear the brooch that I had from Rosamund and Arthur and pinned it to the cardigan but it would have looked nicer on the jacket. It was very quiet this morning until the children went outside to play in the snow. Harriet took her breakfast with them and Jane. Rosamund mentioned to me that Harriet had told her that she felt a bit awkward with the rest of us, isn't that silly. I wish I had made more of an effort to be friendly but I had thought that ....oh well, it doesn't matter what I thought. I will try to talk to her at lunch and see if she would like to come for a walk, just the two of us, this afternoon. At the moment I am sitting in the little room that Rosamund calls the "snug" and enjoying some solitude. Although it has made my Christmas to be surrounded by people, I do find it a bit wearing after a while. I suppose that is what happens when you get used to living alone. I sat staring into the fire as I drank my coffee and started to get a bit melancholy so that is why I began my letter to you now.
This room is furnished with some old leather sofas and a blue rug and patterned curtains. The wall paper is a dark blue and beige stripe. There is a book case and two china cabinets with all sorts of bits and pieces in them. On the shelves I found a photo album and there were a few of mother and me with Rosamund and Alfred, and Geraldine when she was little and Paul as a rather gangly youth. There's the gong for lunch.
Now it is night time again. We had my favourite meal of Christmas at lunch time, cold meat and bubble and squeak and pickles. The men had all gone off to a shoot on a nearby farm so there was just Rosamund, Harriet, Lavinia and myself. Elizabeth and Elouise were out with Geraldine somewhere to help with the decorations and food for the party on Tuesday. She had insisted that Rosamund have nothing to do with it as she has been working so hard. Rosamund told us a few things about John which she could not have spoken of in front of Elouise but she was concerned about Harriet and the way that she seemed to be taking a bit of a shine to him. She said that she wanted to speak of it in front of me and Lavinia so that Harriet would know that it was only out of concern for her welfare. I can't really say more than that in this letter. However, it puts a different light on things, particularly the way Paul spoke to him after he had tried to strike up a conversation with me in the library. I also think I may have been wrong about R trying to get Paul and Harriet together and that it had more to do with keeping John at a distance from her. I'll explain more when I see you. In the end all four of us went for a walk and I think that it did make Harriet realise that she really is cared for, not just invited out of a sense of duty. It was interesting to hear her and R talking about their mutual family.
We were out for a long time and when we got back the men were all having tea and full of their morning's sport. I have been shooting myself and would rather have liked to have gone too but it was an all male gathering. Well, we have to let them off the leash occasionally, don't we!
We had lobster this evening and then a chocolate tarte. I am glad I had that long walk. I shall have to go the long way round to church tomorrow as well. I was pleased to see Harriet more relaxed. John seemed to be in a bit of a sulk. Rosamund was determined that we should play some parlour games this evening but he would not join in and went off to the snug to read. Paul took him a drink a little later and stayed talking to him and then when he returned Henry went to keep him company but came back to say he had gone off to bed.
We played charades, which I always enjoy, and some paper and pencil games like Consequences.
27th December
It was only when we got back from church this morning that I realised I had forgotten to post this letter to you, so I may as well continue with it and pop it in the box later. I was quite ravenous at breakfast. It may be that we were a little later than usual, or all that walking, but I had porridge, egg, bacon, fried bread, tomatoes, mushrooms and a sausage, and orange juice, and then some toast and marmalade and coffee. I wore my new green dress and the beads that I had from Paul. My grey coat is really warm and I was glad of it on the walk to church, and sitting there. They have quite a large congregation so singing the hymns helped me warm up as I could be as loud as I liked and not be heard! The sermon was very good again. Paul introduced Lavinia and me to the vicar's wife and she gave him a very odd look. I know I am probably imagining things but it was almost conspiratorial. He had mentioned a book to me yesterday that he thought I might like to borrow and after lunch he suggested that we walk back to his cottage to pick it up .
I don't know why I should have felt uncomfortable about it. As it was, we had such a good conversation, mostly about Frederick. He asked me some quite pointed questions and I ended up telling him things I don't think I had ever told anyone else, about what happened in those last few weeks particularly. Things I haven't really been able to put into words before. Strange that it should be Paul that drew that out, rather than Rosamund or one of the other women.
The cottage is very well furnished and decorated, not at all how I imagined. I suppose one always expects a single man to live in a mess. The kitchen is all pale green and cream and he has some very up to date equipment and obviously enjoys cooking. The sitting room has a big open fireplace and old furniture brightened up with tapestry cushions and a big old shawl across the settee. There is a little study too although I didn't see in there. By the time we set off back to the house the light had almost faded. I do hope it was not a cause for comment.
Paul did not stay for dinner and Henry, Elouise and John had gone to visit some friends who live nearby so we had a quiet evening by comparison to how it has been. Simple roast beef, although with all the trimmings, and apple pie. It is only 10 o'clock but I am feeling very tired so am going to bed early.
Hope this finds you well
My very best wishes
Freda
Friday, 25 December 2009
Christmas Day
25th December
Dear Cousin Edith
Well, here we are on Christmas Day. My but it was cold in the church last night, but such a lovely service. The vicar is probably about Alfred's age, quite a small man but with a good voice that is easy to listen to, and a thought provoking sermon which I found very uplifting. The big surprise, however, was that Paul was singing in the choir. I was vaguely aware of the fact that he had disappeared when we got to the church and, rather uncharitably, thought he had played truant and gone back to his cottage.
The walk back to the house was just as it should be, a bright moon, crisp snow that was crunchy and not slippery and not much conversation, just being quiet and thoughtful. Harriet was clearly very happy to have Jane's company, and they walked along with Mr and Mrs Davey and then, as so often happens, the rest of us women walked together and the men lagged behind. Mary had the hot mince pies and mulled wine ready and waiting for us and I quite envied Paul his solitary walk in the snow back to his cottage afterwards.
Although I woke feeling very refreshed this morning I did have a very odd dream last night, all tied up with that den under the tree that I told you about, and Paul and John and Harriet and feeling that there was something wrong but not knowing what it was.
I wore my new dress - the one that is the unusual weave in dark red and black, and the new dark red shoes that I bought to go with it. I felt very elegant and Rosamund was kind enough to compliment me on it. She looked wonderful as usual in a dark blue silk. We had a leisurely breakfast and Jane brought the children down at about 10 and we all went into the drawing room so that they could open their presents. As you can imagine there was much excitement and noise. They all very politely said thank you to each of us and I found myself sharing a chair with Lavinia's youngest, Ellen, who is 3, while she told me all about her new doll. The other children went out with Henry and Alistair to try out a sledge that the oldest boy had received and I saw Paul helping them later. Harriet and Jane cleared up the wrappings and tidied up and the others dispersed until lunchtime. That was fun - the children and Jane and Mr and Mrs Davey and Mary and Mrs Davey's sister all joined together in the dining room which had been set up so that everybody had a seat somewhere, if not at the dining table then at another table that had been brought in. Mrs Davey and Mary served up the main course and her sister served the sweet so that each of them had some time to relax. That is, if it is possible to relax amidst such a hubbub. The idea was to give the children and staff their Christmas meal and for the rest of us to have a light lunch as we were to have our proper Christmas dinner in the evening.
After lunch I went out for a walk on my own and was glad of a little peace and quiet. I took the opposite route to the one we had taken yesterday and found myself remembering odd things about the times I had spent here as a child. I think I mentioned to you that I came here about 8 years ago too. It was for Alfred's 50th birthday party and Rosamund had asked me to stay for a few days. I didn't want to come because I was courting then but things were not sufficiently settled between Frederick and me to have been able to ask for him to be invited too. Henry and Elouise were here then, and Elizabeth (it was before she married Alistair) and Paul, I seem to remember, was engaged, although I can't remember anything about his fiancée. Geraldine had not been married long and her first baby was on the way.
I think I told you that we are to go to a party at Geraldine's house on Tuesday. She and her husband, Pierre, inherited a great deal of money from Rosamund's brother, as did Rosamund and Alfred, and they had a house built in the most modernistic style on a plot of land very near here which R and A had given them as a wedding present. I have seen the house from a distance and I am so looking forward to going there.
As I came back towards the house I saw John and Harriet heading towards me, out for a walk of their own. When I got back inside Rosamund seemed a bit put out by this and I am beginning to think that she has a plan to try and get Harriet and Paul together. This is backed up by the fact that when we did sit down to dinner she had set out place cards so that everyone was sitting away from their own spouse but she had put Paul and Harriet opposite one another. It may just have been the way it worked out.
Rosamund asked us to change for dinner a little earlier than usual so that we could open our presents before we ate. I wore my peach with the black jacket. Harriet looked very pretty in a cream dress which I later found out Rosamund had lent her.
I was really quite surprised at the number of parcels under the tree with my name on them. The little presents that Rosamund organised all went down very well. I received a three lace trimmed white handkerchiefs from Elouise, Henry and John, a box of chocolates from Lavinia and Brian with a note to say that they were to be kept and enjoyed in my room! There was a brocade bound diary and pencil from Harriet and some rather exotic bath salts from Elizabeth and Alistair. From Rosamund and Alfred I unwrapped a small box and to my amazement found inside the very brooch that I had noticed and commented on to you from the shop where I bought the cocktail shaker that I gave to them. But even more surprising was the gift from Paul, not least, the message with it. It was a string of red beads, not just plain beads but lots of different ones, some Chinese lacquer, some cloisonné, two that I could not identify, and some glass with iridescent gold swirls. I was quite taken aback by it but even more so by the card that was inside the box, which read “One of these is your cyanide pill, Happy Christmas from Agent Black” How strange that he should have remembered. I looked up and saw that he was watching me and could not help the big smile and laugh that came to my face. He sort of nodded, meaning “do you remember?” and I nodded back “Yes”. You know, Edith, it has quite unsettled me and I’m not sure why.
When we went into the dining room we saw what it was that had been occupying Rosamund for so much of the afternoon. The room had been decorated with swags of holly and pine and red ribbon and the table sparkled with crystal glasses and the best silver and a beautiful centrepiece with candles and gold tinsel. The place cards were held by little gilt angels. I found myself opposite Henry, on .the end of the table next to Alfred and with Alistair on my right hand side.
The meal was everything I had expected. We had goose for the main course with roast and mashed potatoes, Brussels sprouts with chestnuts and bacon, carrots cooked with a little sugar and orange juice - I can't remember what the proper name for that is - braised celery, peas and a garnish of fried apple rings as well as apple sauce. A huge Christmas pudding followed with cream and custard and brandy sauce. By the time we finished it was nearly 10 o'clock so the planned game of bridge was postponed.
We took our coffee and liqueurs in the drawing room and Rosamund made a joke of saying that we were now allowed to sit with who we chose. I think her plans for P and H will come to naught. H went to sit with John. Paul didn't seem too disappointed and soon asked if anyone wanted to walk with him back to his cottage for a breath of fresh air so Henry and Elizabeth and I went along. It was grand to walk again in that crisp bright winter moonlight and I said as much. Paul said that the walk in the morning is just as magical and he sometimes takes a detour through the woods when he comes to the house in the morning and sees deer there. It was very late so we didn’t stop but came straight back and most of the others had gone to bed. I took a small brandy by way of a night cap up to my room and am sipping it now as I write.
I do hope you and Laura had a good day and that you had plenty of visitors, as you had wished. I do feel so sorry that you are still not able to get out but hope that as the New Year approaches it will bring new health and vigour to you
My very best wishes
Freda
Dear Cousin Edith
Well, here we are on Christmas Day. My but it was cold in the church last night, but such a lovely service. The vicar is probably about Alfred's age, quite a small man but with a good voice that is easy to listen to, and a thought provoking sermon which I found very uplifting. The big surprise, however, was that Paul was singing in the choir. I was vaguely aware of the fact that he had disappeared when we got to the church and, rather uncharitably, thought he had played truant and gone back to his cottage.
The walk back to the house was just as it should be, a bright moon, crisp snow that was crunchy and not slippery and not much conversation, just being quiet and thoughtful. Harriet was clearly very happy to have Jane's company, and they walked along with Mr and Mrs Davey and then, as so often happens, the rest of us women walked together and the men lagged behind. Mary had the hot mince pies and mulled wine ready and waiting for us and I quite envied Paul his solitary walk in the snow back to his cottage afterwards.
Although I woke feeling very refreshed this morning I did have a very odd dream last night, all tied up with that den under the tree that I told you about, and Paul and John and Harriet and feeling that there was something wrong but not knowing what it was.
I wore my new dress - the one that is the unusual weave in dark red and black, and the new dark red shoes that I bought to go with it. I felt very elegant and Rosamund was kind enough to compliment me on it. She looked wonderful as usual in a dark blue silk. We had a leisurely breakfast and Jane brought the children down at about 10 and we all went into the drawing room so that they could open their presents. As you can imagine there was much excitement and noise. They all very politely said thank you to each of us and I found myself sharing a chair with Lavinia's youngest, Ellen, who is 3, while she told me all about her new doll. The other children went out with Henry and Alistair to try out a sledge that the oldest boy had received and I saw Paul helping them later. Harriet and Jane cleared up the wrappings and tidied up and the others dispersed until lunchtime. That was fun - the children and Jane and Mr and Mrs Davey and Mary and Mrs Davey's sister all joined together in the dining room which had been set up so that everybody had a seat somewhere, if not at the dining table then at another table that had been brought in. Mrs Davey and Mary served up the main course and her sister served the sweet so that each of them had some time to relax. That is, if it is possible to relax amidst such a hubbub. The idea was to give the children and staff their Christmas meal and for the rest of us to have a light lunch as we were to have our proper Christmas dinner in the evening.
After lunch I went out for a walk on my own and was glad of a little peace and quiet. I took the opposite route to the one we had taken yesterday and found myself remembering odd things about the times I had spent here as a child. I think I mentioned to you that I came here about 8 years ago too. It was for Alfred's 50th birthday party and Rosamund had asked me to stay for a few days. I didn't want to come because I was courting then but things were not sufficiently settled between Frederick and me to have been able to ask for him to be invited too. Henry and Elouise were here then, and Elizabeth (it was before she married Alistair) and Paul, I seem to remember, was engaged, although I can't remember anything about his fiancée. Geraldine had not been married long and her first baby was on the way.
I think I told you that we are to go to a party at Geraldine's house on Tuesday. She and her husband, Pierre, inherited a great deal of money from Rosamund's brother, as did Rosamund and Alfred, and they had a house built in the most modernistic style on a plot of land very near here which R and A had given them as a wedding present. I have seen the house from a distance and I am so looking forward to going there.
As I came back towards the house I saw John and Harriet heading towards me, out for a walk of their own. When I got back inside Rosamund seemed a bit put out by this and I am beginning to think that she has a plan to try and get Harriet and Paul together. This is backed up by the fact that when we did sit down to dinner she had set out place cards so that everyone was sitting away from their own spouse but she had put Paul and Harriet opposite one another. It may just have been the way it worked out.
Rosamund asked us to change for dinner a little earlier than usual so that we could open our presents before we ate. I wore my peach with the black jacket. Harriet looked very pretty in a cream dress which I later found out Rosamund had lent her.
I was really quite surprised at the number of parcels under the tree with my name on them. The little presents that Rosamund organised all went down very well. I received a three lace trimmed white handkerchiefs from Elouise, Henry and John, a box of chocolates from Lavinia and Brian with a note to say that they were to be kept and enjoyed in my room! There was a brocade bound diary and pencil from Harriet and some rather exotic bath salts from Elizabeth and Alistair. From Rosamund and Alfred I unwrapped a small box and to my amazement found inside the very brooch that I had noticed and commented on to you from the shop where I bought the cocktail shaker that I gave to them. But even more surprising was the gift from Paul, not least, the message with it. It was a string of red beads, not just plain beads but lots of different ones, some Chinese lacquer, some cloisonné, two that I could not identify, and some glass with iridescent gold swirls. I was quite taken aback by it but even more so by the card that was inside the box, which read “One of these is your cyanide pill, Happy Christmas from Agent Black” How strange that he should have remembered. I looked up and saw that he was watching me and could not help the big smile and laugh that came to my face. He sort of nodded, meaning “do you remember?” and I nodded back “Yes”. You know, Edith, it has quite unsettled me and I’m not sure why.
When we went into the dining room we saw what it was that had been occupying Rosamund for so much of the afternoon. The room had been decorated with swags of holly and pine and red ribbon and the table sparkled with crystal glasses and the best silver and a beautiful centrepiece with candles and gold tinsel. The place cards were held by little gilt angels. I found myself opposite Henry, on .the end of the table next to Alfred and with Alistair on my right hand side.
The meal was everything I had expected. We had goose for the main course with roast and mashed potatoes, Brussels sprouts with chestnuts and bacon, carrots cooked with a little sugar and orange juice - I can't remember what the proper name for that is - braised celery, peas and a garnish of fried apple rings as well as apple sauce. A huge Christmas pudding followed with cream and custard and brandy sauce. By the time we finished it was nearly 10 o'clock so the planned game of bridge was postponed.
We took our coffee and liqueurs in the drawing room and Rosamund made a joke of saying that we were now allowed to sit with who we chose. I think her plans for P and H will come to naught. H went to sit with John. Paul didn't seem too disappointed and soon asked if anyone wanted to walk with him back to his cottage for a breath of fresh air so Henry and Elizabeth and I went along. It was grand to walk again in that crisp bright winter moonlight and I said as much. Paul said that the walk in the morning is just as magical and he sometimes takes a detour through the woods when he comes to the house in the morning and sees deer there. It was very late so we didn’t stop but came straight back and most of the others had gone to bed. I took a small brandy by way of a night cap up to my room and am sipping it now as I write.
I do hope you and Laura had a good day and that you had plenty of visitors, as you had wished. I do feel so sorry that you are still not able to get out but hope that as the New Year approaches it will bring new health and vigour to you
My very best wishes
Freda
Thursday, 24 December 2009
Christmas Eve
24th December
Dear Cousin Edith
I slept very well again last night and I am waiting for Alfred to gather together anyone else who wants to go for a walk to the village, so I am just taking advantage of this little bit of spare time to start this next letter. When I woke this morning I was instantly aware of that peculiarly clear light that can only mean one thing – snow. Mary Davey had not yet brought my tea so I opened the curtains to see the most magical sight. The snow had fallen quite thickly and was a perfect and unblemished carpet across the lawn, apart from one set of animal tracks which I hope we will be able to identify shortly. The snow had clung to the branches of the trees beyond and the whole thing looked just like a Christmas card scene. The light was that almost ethereal blue that you get from snow before the sun is up and everything was so quiet and still. I stood gazing at it for quite a while until Mary interrupted my reverie with a welcome pot of tea. As I knew that Alfred was planning a good walk I wore my new suit and dark red twin set and the old walking shoes as I thought they wouldn't matter if the snow spoilt them, but Rosamund found a pair of boots for me to borrow- silly of me not to have thought of bringing some.
I must say that I find a full cooked breakfast a great treat. Although I do cook breakfast for myself sometimes it does make a lot of washing up, so to be able to indulge without the aftermath is luxury indeed. Mrs Davey excels in producing a variety of dishes which are kept warm on an ingenious device with a metal plate and several night lights burning underneath. Yesterday I had grapefruit followed by mushrooms and tomatoes on toast with one rasher of bacon and this morning I chose porridge and then devilled kidneys, with some bacon again, and then toast and marmalade. There is fresh orange juice and the coffee is delicious.
The dining room is a large room but dominated by the huge table. The 12 of us fit round it easily. The walls are panelled in oak , the curtains are dark green velvet, the rug is a dark red and cream pattern and the chairs are upholstered in burgundy velvet. The furniture is all quite dark, and with the brass fittings to the wall lights and gilt framed pictures Rosamund has achieved quite a sumptuous effect. At breakfast we all come and go and it is so cheerful and pleasant to have company in the morning. The daily papers are delivered early and some of us discuss the news or try the crosswords. Rosamund and Lavinia seem to be the first to be up, but everyone is down by 9.00 and Paul must walk over quite early as he is usually around by then too. Alfred sits at the head of the table, of course, so he gets to be nearest to the fire, but it seems to be quite a warm room, especially in the evening once the curtains are closed.
We will be going to midnight service tonight so we are having our main meal in the middle of the day and I plan to sit in the library and read this afternoon. Here comes Alfred so I will stop for the moment. I will be glad to walk off some of that lovely breakfast
Now it is 9.00 p.m. and we have just had some supper. Dear me, it must seem to you that I never stop eating! We had a good long walk this morning. Rosamund and Elouise were the only ones who didn't come as they were busy wrapping presents. Alfred thought the tracks across the lawn were from a fox that passes by quite regularly. We went straight down to the woods at the side of the house, the ones I can see from my bedroom window, and into the fields beyond and then round through the village, up into the woods at the back of the house and onto the lane that eventually brings you back round to the entrance to the drive. I can remember doing this walk several times when I came here with mother as a child. It seemed much further then. I also remember playing in those woods with Paul and a girl from the village one summer. He was home from school and I stayed here for a week when father was ill, so that mother could devote her time to him. I think I was about 7, so Paul was 14 or so. I don't remember who the girl was. We made a den under the drooped branches of an old tree and pretended we were secret agents hiding out on a mission. Paul was Agent Black and I was Agent Red. Thinking back I wonder if Paul was under instructions to keep me entertained and I do wonder if I got in the way of his relationship with the other girl who was quite a bit older than me. I don't remember now if that was before or after his mother passed away. He came to live here with Alfred and Rosamund after that until he went off to University.
John is very knowledgeable about the species of trees and plants and birds. Harriet and I walked along with him quite a bit of the time and he proved to be a very entertaining companion. I think Harriet is very taken with him. I found out yesterday that she had travelled with Lavinia and Brian and that she was at school with Jane for a while. I was right that she is actually Rosamund's cousin's daughter. Both her parents are dead and she is an only child and had been working as a nanny herself until a few months ago when the family she was with decided to move to Scotland. She could have gone with them but chose not to and so she is hoping to find another position in the New Year. It explains a lot as she obviously does not feel entirely at ease.
I am sitting in the library by the fire as it is quiet in here. Most of the others are in the drawing room chatting. The children have all gone to bed and Mary is to sit with them so that Jane can come with us to church. A funny thing happened earlier. I decided to sit in here to read for a while this afternoon, but John came in and started up a conversation which put me out a bit. After a while I got up and said that I was going to have a rest and I took the book I was reading with me. As I was going up the stairs John started to cross the hall and Paul followed him out of the library. It is a L shaped room and there are some bookshelves that cut off one end of the room from the main part where the fire is, so I assume he was sitting in that other bit. He called John back and very clearly told him that the etiquette of the situation was that the library was a room where people could expect to sit and be quiet. I couldn't really hang about on the stairs and so I don't know what John's reaction to this was. If Paul wanted to be quiet then he could have gone back to his cottage. Maybe it's just more comfortable here, probably it is warmer.
We had a steak and kidney pie for lunch, followed by creme caramel. I allowed myself a glass of wine as I knew it wouldn't matter if I wanted to sleep this afternoon, which I did for a while when I went up to my room after the incident I have just described. It's strange how not having much to do makes one tired. I joined the others in the drawing room for tea and talked to Elizabeth and Elouise for a while until Elizabeth went up to the nursery with Lavinia to say goodnight to the children. Another lovely room of course. The colour scheme is mostly deep cream and yellow with quite a mixture of chairs upholstered in different fabrics and long jacquard curtains. The tree is in one corner, well away from the fireplace and the rug is quite old, a mixture of creams and yellows and rusts.
We were delighted to receive a visit from some carols singers early this evening. They were a group from the church and Rosamund must have known they were coming as she had hot mince pies and sherry ready for them. They sang very well and we all stood out on the terrace in our coats and hats and listened to them sing Away in a Manger, Good King Wenceslas and The Boars Head Carol, this last beautifully arranged. It bodes well for the service. We are walking so Rosamund has lent me her boots and some thick socks again. I don't think I had realised how close we are to the village if we take the direct route. I suppose whenever I have walked from here in the past it was always for the benefit of the walk , but tonight we want to get there (and back) in as short a time as possible. This is the sort of life I could easily get used to, the fire in here has died down to a lovely hot glow and I feel quite sleepy again.
Oh dear, Alfred has just woken me up and it's time to go, so I am finishing this off quickly so that I can put it in the box on the way to church.
My very best wishes
Freda
Dear Cousin Edith
I slept very well again last night and I am waiting for Alfred to gather together anyone else who wants to go for a walk to the village, so I am just taking advantage of this little bit of spare time to start this next letter. When I woke this morning I was instantly aware of that peculiarly clear light that can only mean one thing – snow. Mary Davey had not yet brought my tea so I opened the curtains to see the most magical sight. The snow had fallen quite thickly and was a perfect and unblemished carpet across the lawn, apart from one set of animal tracks which I hope we will be able to identify shortly. The snow had clung to the branches of the trees beyond and the whole thing looked just like a Christmas card scene. The light was that almost ethereal blue that you get from snow before the sun is up and everything was so quiet and still. I stood gazing at it for quite a while until Mary interrupted my reverie with a welcome pot of tea. As I knew that Alfred was planning a good walk I wore my new suit and dark red twin set and the old walking shoes as I thought they wouldn't matter if the snow spoilt them, but Rosamund found a pair of boots for me to borrow- silly of me not to have thought of bringing some.
I must say that I find a full cooked breakfast a great treat. Although I do cook breakfast for myself sometimes it does make a lot of washing up, so to be able to indulge without the aftermath is luxury indeed. Mrs Davey excels in producing a variety of dishes which are kept warm on an ingenious device with a metal plate and several night lights burning underneath. Yesterday I had grapefruit followed by mushrooms and tomatoes on toast with one rasher of bacon and this morning I chose porridge and then devilled kidneys, with some bacon again, and then toast and marmalade. There is fresh orange juice and the coffee is delicious.
The dining room is a large room but dominated by the huge table. The 12 of us fit round it easily. The walls are panelled in oak , the curtains are dark green velvet, the rug is a dark red and cream pattern and the chairs are upholstered in burgundy velvet. The furniture is all quite dark, and with the brass fittings to the wall lights and gilt framed pictures Rosamund has achieved quite a sumptuous effect. At breakfast we all come and go and it is so cheerful and pleasant to have company in the morning. The daily papers are delivered early and some of us discuss the news or try the crosswords. Rosamund and Lavinia seem to be the first to be up, but everyone is down by 9.00 and Paul must walk over quite early as he is usually around by then too. Alfred sits at the head of the table, of course, so he gets to be nearest to the fire, but it seems to be quite a warm room, especially in the evening once the curtains are closed.
We will be going to midnight service tonight so we are having our main meal in the middle of the day and I plan to sit in the library and read this afternoon. Here comes Alfred so I will stop for the moment. I will be glad to walk off some of that lovely breakfast
Now it is 9.00 p.m. and we have just had some supper. Dear me, it must seem to you that I never stop eating! We had a good long walk this morning. Rosamund and Elouise were the only ones who didn't come as they were busy wrapping presents. Alfred thought the tracks across the lawn were from a fox that passes by quite regularly. We went straight down to the woods at the side of the house, the ones I can see from my bedroom window, and into the fields beyond and then round through the village, up into the woods at the back of the house and onto the lane that eventually brings you back round to the entrance to the drive. I can remember doing this walk several times when I came here with mother as a child. It seemed much further then. I also remember playing in those woods with Paul and a girl from the village one summer. He was home from school and I stayed here for a week when father was ill, so that mother could devote her time to him. I think I was about 7, so Paul was 14 or so. I don't remember who the girl was. We made a den under the drooped branches of an old tree and pretended we were secret agents hiding out on a mission. Paul was Agent Black and I was Agent Red. Thinking back I wonder if Paul was under instructions to keep me entertained and I do wonder if I got in the way of his relationship with the other girl who was quite a bit older than me. I don't remember now if that was before or after his mother passed away. He came to live here with Alfred and Rosamund after that until he went off to University.
John is very knowledgeable about the species of trees and plants and birds. Harriet and I walked along with him quite a bit of the time and he proved to be a very entertaining companion. I think Harriet is very taken with him. I found out yesterday that she had travelled with Lavinia and Brian and that she was at school with Jane for a while. I was right that she is actually Rosamund's cousin's daughter. Both her parents are dead and she is an only child and had been working as a nanny herself until a few months ago when the family she was with decided to move to Scotland. She could have gone with them but chose not to and so she is hoping to find another position in the New Year. It explains a lot as she obviously does not feel entirely at ease.
I am sitting in the library by the fire as it is quiet in here. Most of the others are in the drawing room chatting. The children have all gone to bed and Mary is to sit with them so that Jane can come with us to church. A funny thing happened earlier. I decided to sit in here to read for a while this afternoon, but John came in and started up a conversation which put me out a bit. After a while I got up and said that I was going to have a rest and I took the book I was reading with me. As I was going up the stairs John started to cross the hall and Paul followed him out of the library. It is a L shaped room and there are some bookshelves that cut off one end of the room from the main part where the fire is, so I assume he was sitting in that other bit. He called John back and very clearly told him that the etiquette of the situation was that the library was a room where people could expect to sit and be quiet. I couldn't really hang about on the stairs and so I don't know what John's reaction to this was. If Paul wanted to be quiet then he could have gone back to his cottage. Maybe it's just more comfortable here, probably it is warmer.
We had a steak and kidney pie for lunch, followed by creme caramel. I allowed myself a glass of wine as I knew it wouldn't matter if I wanted to sleep this afternoon, which I did for a while when I went up to my room after the incident I have just described. It's strange how not having much to do makes one tired. I joined the others in the drawing room for tea and talked to Elizabeth and Elouise for a while until Elizabeth went up to the nursery with Lavinia to say goodnight to the children. Another lovely room of course. The colour scheme is mostly deep cream and yellow with quite a mixture of chairs upholstered in different fabrics and long jacquard curtains. The tree is in one corner, well away from the fireplace and the rug is quite old, a mixture of creams and yellows and rusts.
We were delighted to receive a visit from some carols singers early this evening. They were a group from the church and Rosamund must have known they were coming as she had hot mince pies and sherry ready for them. They sang very well and we all stood out on the terrace in our coats and hats and listened to them sing Away in a Manger, Good King Wenceslas and The Boars Head Carol, this last beautifully arranged. It bodes well for the service. We are walking so Rosamund has lent me her boots and some thick socks again. I don't think I had realised how close we are to the village if we take the direct route. I suppose whenever I have walked from here in the past it was always for the benefit of the walk , but tonight we want to get there (and back) in as short a time as possible. This is the sort of life I could easily get used to, the fire in here has died down to a lovely hot glow and I feel quite sleepy again.
Oh dear, Alfred has just woken me up and it's time to go, so I am finishing this off quickly so that I can put it in the box on the way to church.
My very best wishes
Freda
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