Yorkshire Lady

Yorkshire Lady part 8

 Part 8

Christmas Day began at 5 O clock in the morning with 2 small figures bouncing on the bed.

Past Christmases had involved only Caroline being awakened. Freddy at age 3 had made the mistake of running in and disturbing his father and Rebecca which had been handled with very ill grace and Caroline had been furious with Andy all day.

If John minded he didn't let it show. He smiled at the boys wondering if ' He ' had been last night. A straight faced John looked at Caroline. ' Mummy, who's this 'He' that they're talking about?'

Caroline solemnly went through a whole list of names setting the boys off into peels of giggles. ' FATHER CHRISTMAS' they shouted together.

Caroline and John looked at each other, ' Oh of course' they answered together.

' Shall we go and see?' Caroline enquired and down they went.

Squeals of delight greeted the hoard. Caroline had strict controls on what was spent, not wanting spoiled children. Andy had actually bought a huge array of gifts ( to try to make up for the fact that he wouldn't be there). Caroline had selected 2 items for each boy from the vast expensive collection and dispatched the rest with relish to a gift collection scheme for children unlikely to get gifts.

By 7 O clock the excitement had sufficiently abated for breakfast in the kitchen. The boys greeted their grandparents coming downstairs with happy tales of what they had received. Mr and Mrs Boulton were impressed that John, unlike their son in law had joined Caroline in early rising.

After breakfast The 2 men were sent by Mrs Boulton to play with the boys so that she and Caroline could get started on lunch for 9 adults and 6 children.

Phyllis and her family arrived and Phyllis came to help so the job was easier than it might have been.

They lunched at 2 O'clock Caroline was tired but delighted by the wonderful atmosphere around her table. John had never enjoyed a Christmas Lunch so much. He took his glass and stood up. ' Ladies, Gents and Children shall we raise our glasses and thank our lovely hostess'. Caroline blushed as everyone cheered and raised their glasses to her ' to Caroline '.

John,Rick and Kyle cleared the table and loaded the dishwasher while the children watched the Disney 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarves' giving the chance for lunch to be digested.

After the film they had games in the swimming pool ( the older members opting to watch and referee).

No one wanted any tea, although there was plenty for anyone who felt peckish later.

The children protested against bedtime but were so tired that they soon settled down amused by the dormitory atmosphere.

The adults had a quiet evening together talking, listening to music and playing cards.

Rick and Simone had gone back to the gate house to put Henry to bed. By 10 O clock just about every one was heading for bed. John and Caroline snuggled down together cosily chatting about what had been one of the best ever Christmases for them both.

In the happy after glow of love making Caroline lay dreamily stoking the soft hair on John's chest.

John kissed the top of her nose. ' Penny for ' em'. He remarked. Caroline looked at him puzzled 'sorry?'

'Your thoughts, I can hear your brain ticking'.

'Having my Mum and Dad here for Christmas got me thinking about meeting your dad and Grandma'. She heard John sigh deeply and went on soothingly, 'I know things are not 'happy families' between you, but perhaps this is the time to start building bridges.

 You're not alone. You've got me and the boys, Rick, Phyllis and their loved ones, all on your side. It's time to let them see what a wonderful man you've become.'

John kissed her, on the lips this time. ' I've not mentioned this before but I've got a brother as well. I've not seen him properly for the last 12 years now. 2 of them because we were better out of each other's way and the last 10 because he's been in prison'.

2 years John's senior Greg Standring seemed to have got all John's share of self confidence as well as his own, in exchange it seemed for all his share of good naturedness.

A natural bully, he soon found that his younger brother was a ready made victim and being their father's favourite was able to get away with it.

At school, Greg was always one of the 'in crowd' and was anxious to distance himself from the stigma of being a brother of timid, mousy John. When John was bullied, Greg was not only unwilling to step in and help his brother, he encouraged and even joined in with the tormentors.

As a teenager from the age of 13 Greg began to discover crime with shop lifting and breaking into cars.

He was a member of Hebden Bridge's most infamous gang. Shop lifting became joined with house breaking and mugging. Many of Greg's Grandmother's friends had good reason to be very much afraid of her eldest Grandson who still remained his father's favourite well above his brother.

When John began gardening, Greg was getting into more and worse crime. At 21 he and his gang did their first armed robbery this time getting away with it.

At 23 they attempted another and their overconfidence was their downfall. The result was 10 years in prison.

'When's he due out?' Caroline asked when John finished telling her about Greg.

'Sometime next Summer, I think it is'. John remarked. ' I suppose you'll be suggesting that I start making friends with him next'. This came out more nastily than he'd intended.

'I'm sorry Sweetheart', he said folding Caroline in his arms as she shot him a hurt look.

' That was uncalled for, but Greg and I are definitely better off apart'.

' I'm just trying to help', said Caroline softly. ' You're at the start of a brighter future if I've got anything to do with it and I don't want your past to get in the way of it.

Can we at least try bridge building with your Dad and Grandma and maybe forgiving your brother?'

John rolled her onto her back and looked down at her eyes blazing with love. ' I want them to meet you. They have to see what a divine angel has dropped from heaven into my path.'

TBC