The Daily Dormouse. (aka Bike) Part 1902 by Angharad Copyright © 2012 Angharad All Rights Reserved.

The Sunday and Monday following were just manic as we cleaned the house from top to bottom; Ingrid showing a bit more enthusiasm than Jacquie or Sammi. She’d talked things over with Hannah and had decided they would stay over Christmas and make up their minds about Simon’s offer. It was my offer, really, but I let everyone think Simon had thought it up.

I learned that Ingrid could also drive, so I could have someone to share the school run when I went back to teaching. She seemed to have calmed down after she learned her ex-partner had been caught trying to escape the night of the attack. He was the getaway driver, apparently not feeling up to taking an active part in what we later discovered was intended to be a ‘lesson’ to me. They were supposed to sexually assault me, and then slash my face, and perhaps do the same to Ingrid. I felt even more justified in using the bow for my defence, and told the police I would continue to protect myself and my family with whatever I damn well wanted.

I also sent a message via Henry to the Chief Constable that if they prosecuted me and took away my weapons and I subsequently lost to injury or death, a member of my family, I would chase him and whoever else was involved through the courts as long as they lived or were bankrupted. Henry was shocked at my vehemence, as was I when I learned of the threat to me from Ingrid’s ex. The thought of someone slashing my face to teach me a lesson gave me a cold shudder.

When Simon found out he wanted the guy damaged in prison and was prepared to find someone to arrange it, but I stopped him. If ever it was discovered we’d conspired to do such a thing, he’d be in real trouble. Instead I suggested he aim for a private law suit to bankrupt the miscreant with a claim for damages for emotional and physical harm done by him and his friends, to all the members of the family and our guests. He rubbed his hands and went off to speak to his legal friends.

Christmas Eve, the Monday following the attack we set up the house for the fun of Christmas Day when we’d be entertaining a houseful. Pippa and her boys were coming, so were Henry and Monica. The dining table was extended to seat twenty, we had to get the folding chairs from the attic and the spare canteen of cutlery from the pantry.

By the time we, that is Simon, Tom and I went to bed, we were knackered, not to put too fine a point on it. I hated to think how much wrapping paper I’d used up, but the tree was almost buried under the pile of presents, one lot of which we’d keep until after dinner. I’d agreed this with Ingrid as well, and she was quite happy with the arrangements.

On Christmas morning, which seemed to happen far too soon after we went to bed, we were woken by three aliens giggling as they jumped into bed with us. Simon grumbled a little as cold feet were shoved on his bad knee–he made it worse detaining one of the attackers–silly bugger jumping off a table.

The girls tried to lie still, it was only six in the morning, but they were as fizzy as bottles of shaken cola and their wriggling and giggling had me choosing between multiple puellacide and getting up. The latter had a shorter sentence attached, so I opted for it.

As usual, I insisted on everyone having a proper breakfast of either toast or cereal or both. I knew David would be over to start cooking the turkey by eight, and probably Ingrid would come with him and where she goes, Hannah follows. I’d noticed that despite their different backgrounds, David and Ingrid seemed to be getting on rather well, which partly prompted me to make the offer of a job to her.

I managed to draw out the present opening until eight o’clock by insisting we all had showers and wore tidy clothes. The girls complained and whined during the whole process, but it at least enabled the others to come across from the cottages.

David set up the oven and the kitchen for cooking the meal, then came in and we exchanged presents. He was chuffed with his new shaver, and Ingrid and Hannah were absolutely overwhelmed by the laptop I got the girls to give to them. Sammi gave it the once over and pronounced it a very good all-rounder and offered to help them set it up later, as I’d hoped she would.

I wasn’t expecting anything from our guests, but I received a bottle of Coco eau de toilette from the two girls and David, which made my day–one of my absolute favourites. Simon gave me some more Opium–the perfume not the narcotic–and Tom added to my jewellery with a gold chain necklace.

Once the main presents had been distributed we left the rest until our visitors arrived and set to tidying up–wrapping paper everywhere–and making last minute checks for the table settings and dinner. Ingrid went into the kitchen with David, and I managed to snap a picture of them under the mistletoe I’d hung there earlier this morning, with my new camera. Talk about flustered didn’t begin to describe it and this was before anyone had any alcohol.

Our visitors arrived at one o’clock, Pippa parking her modest car alongside Henry’s huge Audi thing, which I knew Monica would drive back to the hotel where they were staying–Henry enjoyed his tipple.

More presents were exchanged, although I got everyone to agree we’d open them after dinner so as not to interrupt the start of the meal. David did us proud and I kept a beady eye on Henry in case he tried to talk him into going to work at the hotel. It was raised but David turned him down, saying he loved working with the family here. In fact he walked round with a silly grin on his face most of the day, as did Ingrid, so I suspect they were in agreement over the subject of mutual affection.

Just as dinner was being served and Tom was carving the turkey, Henry dashed out and came back with half a case of champers–not yer Moet et Chandon stuff but Bollinger. Turkey and all the trimmings doesn’t do justice to the meal David produced, it was sumptuous.

Prawns on a bed of sliced orange and lime to start; then turkey with cranberry, bread or any other sauce you could think of; the vegetables were wonderful, glazed carrots, mushrooms in a light batter, broccoli and new potatoes together with roast potatoes and parsnips, mashed swede and aubergine–it was too much. I suspect I gained a pound just inhaling the aroma of all that food. The dessert was Christmas pud for the traditionalists with brandy butter, I settled for just a small dish of ice cream, but there was a large trifle and mince pies as well.

Simon and Tom produced bottles of Merlot and Chablis once the champagne had been drunk and it was probably three o’clock before we finally got round to opening the rest of the presents. I gave David a hand with clearing the table and keeping Kiki out of temptation’s reach before sitting comfortably on the sofa with Simon and falling fast asleep. David got his own back taking a picture of me lying back with my eyes closed and my mouth open–not a pleasant sight.

I know Si gave David a bonus for the Christmas meal, which was so richly deserved and we all toasted him after the meal to acknowledge his skill as a chef.

So how was your Christmas?