Free A Moment to Remember by Dee Williams

over the fire. Also in the larder was a beautiful cake that she had made. She was such a good cook.
    The milkman was banging on the back door. ‘Merry Christmas, Missus.’
    Milly took the jug of milk.
    ‘Here’s the cream you ordered.’
    ‘Merry Christmas,’ said Betty, handing the milkman an envelope.
    He touched his hat. ‘Thanks,’ he said, and walked away whistling.
    Milly thought of the creamery near her home. She’d hated that area; it was under the railway arches and was always dark and gloomy even on a bright day. When the trains rattled overhead the noise was frightening, and the smoke from them filled the air. She began to think of home. She would love to see her brothers again, her mother too, if only she could arrange to meet them, but she knew that would never be.
    ‘Come on, young lady, stop daydreaing,’ said Betty, bringing her back. ‘Go and take your overall off and put your clean frock on and start taking the breakfast things in.’
    Milly felt so happy as she pushed the laden trolley into the dining room. For the past few days she had been helping Richard to collect holly and ivy from the garden to decorate this room and the hall. There had been much laughter as Richard teased her and chased her with the prickly holly leaves. She was beside herself with joy as they hung the garlands from the ornate mantelpiece; even the majestic grandfather clock that stood in the corner of the drawing room as well as vases and heavy picture frames were draped.
    Jane was getting so excited as she pushed her chair round the room giving them their orders. She followed them into the hall and watched as they decorated that as well.
    ‘I love Christmas. What about you, Milly?’
    ‘Christmas didn’t mean a lot in our house.’
    ‘What a shame. Does this room look like the pictures in the book I showed you?’ she asked. Milly and Jane had pored over a picture book last week admiring all the ways to decorate a room.
    ‘Yes, it does.’
     
    ‘Good morning, Milly,’ said Mr Green as she pushed open the dining-room door. He was sitting at the head of the table.
    ‘Good morning, sir.’ After placing the heavy silver dishes and the tea things on the sideboard, Milly poured him out a cup of tea.
    ‘Looking forward to today?’ he asked.
    ‘Yes, sir.’
    ‘Is Elsie still around?’
    ‘I think so.’
    ‘Could you go and ask her to come in here?’
    ‘Yes, sir.’ Milly did a little bob and scurried from the room.
    ‘Mr Green wants to see you in the dining room,’ she said as she burst into the kitchen.
    Elsie took off her hat and left the room.
    ‘What’s she done?’ a very worried Milly asked Betty.
    ‘Nothing. I expect he just wants to wish her a merry Christmas.’
    ‘Oh, that’s all right then.’
    When Elsie returned, she was beaming. ‘Guess what? He gave me half a crown. A whole half a crown. I haven’t ever had that much before. He’s such a nice man.’
    ‘Yes he is,’ said Betty. ‘Now you take yourself off home and give those kids and that husband of yours a good Christmas.’
    ‘I will. And thank you, Betty, for the cake and all the bits fer our dinner.’ Elsie went and kissed Betty’s cheek.
    Milly swallowed hard. She had never heard Elsie say so many words all at once before.
    After the Greens had finished their breakfast and before they went to church, Jane came into the kitchen. She looked lovely; she was wearing a white frock Milly hadn’t seen before and a huge white bow on the top of her ringlets. The ribbons of her bows always matched her frocks.
    ‘Do you like it?’ she asked, straightening her dress over her knees.
    ‘It’s lovely,’ said Milly.
    ‘Daddy brought it home with him. He’s so clever at knowing my size. This is for you, Betty.’ She handed Betty a small parcel. ‘And this is for you, Milly.’
    ‘Thank you. Yours is still up in my room,’ said Milly.
    ‘Good, that means I can have it later. I love Christmas. Go on, open it. I want to see if you