Eleanor had spent the entire day in the kitchen. The front bell rang. Alberts relatives had come, settling themselves around the dining table.
Wheres the beef? asked Aunt Maud.
Theres the stuffed goose, right there, Eleanor replied warmly.
Aunt Maud stood up from the table in protest.
Thats simply inedible. Were going home.
Albert rose as if jerked by a string.
Well, arent you something Live by yourself if you cant even manage a proper meal!
He suddenly began gathering his things into a bag.
Hello, Gail? Its me, Eleanor Yes, Eleanor speaking. Can barely hear, the lines dreadful. Why am I calling? Gail, I wont be coming to yours this year. No, not for Christmas, nor for New Year. Why? Whats the point? Youll be there with Victor, your daughter with her husband and children. And me? Just to gorge on salad and get a taxi home at double fare? I can’t bring myself to sleep in someone elses house, you know that. What will I do? Nothing much, just go to bed really, Eleanor said, her voice drifting through static. For five years since her divorce, shed marked every holiday with her childhood friend at Gails flat.
What? You were just about to call me yourself? Youre off somewhere? Where to? Leeds, to Victors aunts? Good journey and enjoy yourselves. A problem? What kind of problem? Whos coming over? Sasha? Whos Sasha? Your niece? Hello? What’s wrong with this reception? To put her up for a few days? Well, you know I dont much like strangers in my home, but fine, Ill help out. She can come. Oh for goodness sake, the lines gone again, Eleanor sighed, putting down the phone in irritation.
She sat thinking. Perhaps, after all, it was for the best not to be alone at Christmas. She pulled herself together a guest meant at least a decent salad. Normally shed be fine on sandwiches, but a guest required effort. She set some veg boiling and prepared the herbs, her thoughts drifting.
Back in the days when shed been married to Albert, she never stopped for a minute. The thirtieth, all his country relatives would descend upon the house. Then the madness started. The kitchen would be thick with steam and smoke not even an open window helped. Jellied beef was simmered, pies baked, meatballs fried, all heavy and greasy. Eleanor did little else but run back and forth with dishes. Jellied beef off to chill in the back porch, chopping veg for salad. She wasnt even allowed to help much in the end, ever since shed made some avocado salad.
What on earth is that rubbish? Aunt Maud had sneered, and the rest had agreed in unison.
Yet, shed later fume their food was always so greasy, drowning in mayonnaise, literally dripping from the spoon. Not to mention the men sitting themselves at the table right away to sample the homemade gin. By the thirty-first, barely any stamina left till midnight.
Every year by the second, theyd leave, only after eating up everything and drinking the last of the punch. All that was left for Eleanor was a trail of mess. Shed spend the next week scrubbing, cleaning, tidying. Albert meanwhile would head back to his familys village, prolonging his festivities. Hed return sullen, unshaven, and irritable, having listened to his family claim hed married a woman who couldnt even cook a stew. Then came the rows. Hed always mention Vera, blaming Eleanor for luring him away. Shed put up with it, convinced it was true. Shed never managed to cook the dishes hed known since boyhood the heavy ones with layers of fat.
All that was left was to grumble to her childhood friend, Gail. Eventually, Gail grew tired of Eleanors endless moaning and hatched a plan. She made Eleanor call Alberts family, laying down the rule: she would do the cooking for New Year, but they had to come only on New Years Day. With Gail’s help, all day they made hearty but light nibbles. The relatives arrived, took their seats.
Wheres the beef? Aunt Maud asked, disappointed.
Theres stuffed goose, Eleanor replied politely.
And the mash? Aunt Maud pressed on.
Aunt Maud stood up ostentatiously.
Well, you’ve boiled up a load of cattle feed. Fred, fetch the car, Im going home.
Everyone shuffled, donned their coats, and slammed the door on the way out.
Well, you Albert muttered, raising his hand threateningly.
Wait, Im coming with you, he called after his relatives.
Dont forget your things, said Eleanor, retrieving his bag.
Good luck on your own, killjoy, I certainly wont be alone, but you? Albert muttered, stuffing his things and stormed out.
When the pan started bubbling over, Eleanor snapped back to reality. She put the lid aside and, just then, the doorbell rang. Thatll be Sasha, I suppose, she thought, distracting herself, before opening the door.
She blinked in surprise.
Wheres Sasha?
A man, about forty, smiled politely:
That would be me. Let me introduce myself Alexander Gregory Mickleton, Victors nephew. Come to visit, bit of a surprise, but they’ve gone to Leeds. And you must be Eleanor?
She nodded, still bemused.
But Gail said it was a niece coming.
Alexander grinned:
Perhaps you misheard the line was poor.
Remembering the static, Eleanor nodded.
Maybe so. Well, come on in since youre here.
Dont worry, I have a train ticket for the evening of the first, no earlier ones available. So I wont trouble you long.
Eleanor went back to the kitchen, drained the vegetables, and left them out to cool.
Alexander, with a twinkle in his eye, asked:
You were planning to celebrate with nothing but that salad?
Eleanor, surprising herself, snapped:
Do you expect a grand display? Roast beef, a bowl of potato salad?
He laughed:
Oh no, not at all! I prefer fish, frankly.
Fish I haven’t got, nor do I really know how to cook it properly, Eleanor shrugged.
Alexander, already putting his coat on, declared:
Well, dont you worry. Consider it sorted!
Before Eleanor could protest, he was out the door.
She chuckled at the absurdity expecting a middle-aged woman, shed got an energetic man instead.
He was gone nearly an hour and a half, and Eleanor began to worry after all, he was a stranger and might have got lost. Sure enough, the bell rang, and she hastened to answer.
Where did you vanish to? I was starting to get worried, she began, but stopped short. There was a fluffy spruce in the doorway, and Alexander behind it, laden with bags.
Whatever for? was all she mustered.
Alexander set the little tree by the wall, smiling:
Well, whats Christmas without a Christmas tree?
Eleanor breathed in the pine smell and laughed:
Now all we need are satsumas.
Alexander laughed:
Satsumas and fizz! Can’t celebrate without those. Ive got everything. Now, lend a hand with these bags lets begin our holiday preparations.
And so, half in jest and laughter, they decorated the tree and cooked together. Eleanor, under Alexanders guidance, shelled prawns and filleted fish, marvelling as he prepared a baked carp.
By midnight, all was ready. The fizz popped, bubbles dazzling in their glasses. After twelve strokes, they raised their glasses:
To the New Year and new happiness!
They drank to the dregs and talked on.
You know, when we married, he was kinder, more considerate. But love is blind, isn’t it? Only later came the harsh words, the complaints that I did everything wrong, never cooked anything right. But enough of me. Tell me are you married? Eleanor asked.
Alexander sighed:
Not anymore, no. Just the usual story Im away, shes found someone else. When I get home, Ill file for divorce. But its all a bit dreary; lets drink to old mischiefs and childhood capers instead!
I once dared the boys and climbed a tall oak, but was too scared to get down. Uncle George from number 12 rescued me I spent the whole evening in the naughty corner at home! Eleanor laughed.
I glued the headmasters chair to the floor once, Alexander grinned, my father gave me the belt for that!
So they laughed and reminisced till dawn. As Eleanor yawned, Alexander said:
Weve talked the night away. Go on to bed.
Eleanor, sleepy, replied:
Bed? Theres still clearing up to do.
He was insistent:
Ill do it all! Go on.
Eleanor gave in and fell fast asleep.
Alexander woke her gently.
Eleanor, time to rise. I must head off can you see me out?
She leapt up:
Is it evening already? Why didnt you wake me sooner?
He tucked a stray curl behind her ear, smiling:
You looked so peaceful. But truly, I have to go, got to get to the station.
She walked him to the door.
Well, goodbye then. Thank you, truly, for a magical holiday, she said quietly.
Alexander shifted awkwardly, then asked suddenly:
Would it would it be all right if I came again? When Im free?
Eleanor brightened:
Do come, Ill be wait
He kissed her softly, silencing her, and whispered:
Until then, goodbye!
Eleanor stood by the closed door afterwards, touching her lips and smiling. Sometimes, you think you know someone all your life and discover theyre not what you hoped. Other times, youve only just met, yet it feels like youve known each other forever.
Yes, whatever anyone says, miracles can happen at Christmas. One twist of fate, and a new love a new life can begin.
