Christmas At Thrush Green (35 page)

Phil and Frank walked, arm in arm, the short distance back to Tullivers, the lad running ahead, eager to be reunited with young Alfie. He and Jeremy had made plans to meet the following day.

‘That was some evening!’ said Phil dreamily, leaning her head on Frank’s shoulder.

‘Pity about the Burwells,’ replied Frank. ‘It was a decent idea of Edward and Joan to have them, considering the trouble Paul had caused, but it goes to show that however much you try, you can’t get a round peg to fit into a square hole.’

‘Shouldn’t that be the other way round?’ Phil asked.

‘I don’t know, and I don’t care,’ answered Frank. ‘It’s much too late, and I’m ready for my bed.’

 

The last to leave the Youngs’ house was the party heading for Lulling. They had come in Robert’s big car and Dulcie, who because of her expectant state had not drunk all evening, drove them home. As had been agreed, nothing was mentioned about Ella’s cottage but Ella noticed both turned their heads towards it as the car drove quietly past. She sensed the young couple were very excited.

When they got back to the vicarage, Robert and Dulcie said their goodnights. ‘It’s been a very long day for junior and his mother,’ said Robert. ‘It’s straight to bed for us.’

‘We’ll talk in the morning,’ was all Ella said, somewhat enigmatically as far as Charles and Dimity were concerned.

‘What a lovely evening,’ said Dimity and, sitting on the hall chair, she took off her shoes. She wriggled her toes in bliss. ‘Oooh, that’s much better.’

‘The best part of every good evening out,’ said Ella, ‘is coming home.’

‘Home?’ repeated Dimity, looking up at her old friend. ‘I can’t tell you how good it is to hear you say that word.’

‘Do you remember, Dim,’ Ella asked, ‘what you said when you were packing your things at the cottage, before you left to marry Charles?’

‘Remind me,’ Dimity said.

‘We’d been very happy there,’ continued Ella quietly, ‘but I knew some man would gather you up one day. As we were packing your china, I remember saying to you, “It was good while it lasted.” And you said to me . . .’ She paused.

Dimity smiled. ‘I remember now. I said, “It will go on lasting.” And so it has proved.’