The Free Spirit

The Magic of Television, 1960 (Part Four)

"He who has not Christmas in his heart will not find it under a tree..."

We arrived in London to a little bit of snow falling, and of course, Elton's first response was to start screaming 'Snow! Snow!' at the top of his little lungs. Stacey, now about eight months old, didn't quite know what to make of it, as this was her first time seeing snow, and cried when it first touched her, likely due to it being unpleasantly cold to her. "Aw, Stacey, it's okay, baby..." Don cooed to her, comforting his infant daughter in an attempt to calm her down. We got a taxicab to Poplar and as soon as we arrived, I was very surprised to see the reverend of Poplar, young Tom Hereward, standing outside of our home. I barely knew Tom, besides him paying respects to my mother despite the fact that she was neither a Poplar resident nor even Christian, and I knew that he was engaged to Trixie from a letter I received from her earlier in the year. I knew, too, that he lived close to Nonnatus House, so I did see him from time to time when I visited Nonnatus House while still pregnant with Stacey.

"Mr. Hereward, what brings you here?" I asked him as I got out of the taxicab holding Stacey. Elton wanted to try and 'help Daddy' with the bags, so Don gave him a little one to carry.

"We have a very big opportunity and I know you're musically inclined, so Mrs. Turner and I really need your help," he said to me.

"What's this opportunity?" I asked him as I brushed a curl out of Stacey's pretty little eyes.

"The BBC wants to film a carol service at our church and it would be wonderful if you could help us by arranging some music and directing a choir," Tom said to me, more telling me than asking.

"Well, I mean, I'll be going back to work for Nonnatus House shortly, but I suppose I could put something together. My husband is very musically inclined as well so perhaps, we can put something together," I said as Don exited the house to pay the cabbie.

"Your husband is what?" he asked as he heard me mention him.

"Mr. Hereward, this is my husband, Don Everly. Don, this is the reverend of Poplar, Tom Hereward," I said, introducing the two men.

"It's a great pleasure to meet you, sir! I'm a great fan of you and your brother!" Tom said excitedly, shaking hands with my husband.

"It's a pleasure meetin' both a fan and a man of the church. 'Scuse me a minute, I gotta pay the driver," Don said, shaking his hand before breaking the grip to pay the cabbie.

"I'd say yes, we're both on board with helping arrange something. I'll make sure we get started on it tonight," I told Tom. We went our separate ways afterwards, with Don and I going inside to unpack and get the children settled while Tom returned to his work.

"Honey, what did we just agree to? I thought we was here to spend time with your dad and be on vacation - and be home for the new year," Don said, reminding me of my promise to return back home before New Years.

"Relax, it'll be all right. Dad will be distracted by his grandchildren and I'll work out everything," I told him, placing my hands on his shoulders and leaning in for a kiss.

"While deliverin' babies for Nonnatus House," Don said, interrupting me.

"I'll make it work-"

"You're spreadin' yourself too thin."

"Look at you, Mr. two albums in a year on top of tours, acting classes, photo shoots, interviews and more! I can handle this. I know you think that I can't, but I can."

"I don't doubt ya, honey, but keep in mind why ya wanted us to come here. We're supposed to be spendin' time with your dad, not runnin' some church service!"