Free The Reluctant Elf (Kindle Single) by Michele Gorman Page B

bath.
    ‘Happy Christmas!’ he says. He’s wearing green and grey striped socks with his breeches.
    ‘You’re looking very festive.’
    ‘Yeah, well these were the only other knee-length socks I have.’
    ‘I’m sorry I gave your others away.’
    ‘Don’t mention it. I can buy a new pair with the £1,000 you’re paying me.’
     I feel uncomfortable at the mention of the money.
    Stop it, Lottie. It’s simply a financial transaction. There’s nothing to feel uncomfortable about. Even if I am starting to wish that money wasn’t part of the equation.
    ‘Look what the ladies left for us.’ He lifts the edge of the tea towel covering an assortment of oddly shaped eggs. No two are the same.
    ‘That’s scrambled eggs for everyone then.’
    ‘Speaking of which, what else is on the menu today?’ he asks.
    I can’t tell if he’s also ill at ease about last night.
    ‘There’s that beautiful beef in the fridge. I thought we could do that with potatoes and vegetables. And we’ve got the Christmas pudding for dessert. If we feed them enough we may not have to make peanut butter sandwiches again tonight. Should we make lunch a little later, say around four?’
    ‘As long as the children won’t have to wait until afterwards to open their presents. That’s cruel and unusual punishment.’
    But we don’t need to fear for the twins’ feelings. I can hear them both screaming blue murder as they run down the stairs. Of course Prunella and Hugo won’t make them wait. That would require some actual parenting, and neither seems keen to fill that position.
    Rupert appears not long after his niece and nephew.
    ‘Happy Christmas, did you sleep well?’ Danny asks.
    ‘Until the banshees woke, yes, thanks. Happy Christmas to you both. Is breakfast on the schedule this morning?’
    ‘Absolutely!’ I say. ‘If you’d like to go in to the dining room, the table is set, so sit anywhere you’d like. I can bring in coffee or tea?’
    ‘Coffee, please.’
    ‘And would you like eggs? Beans? Bacon and toast?’
    ‘Yes, I’ll have two soft boiled eggs please.’
    Somehow I just knew he’d say that.
     
    Hugo and Prunella come into the dining room together just as I’m serving Rupert his breakfast. It seems to be the one meal that Danny does actually know how to cook. If only we can convince our guests that the Victorians ate only fry-ups.
    I’m not sure why I’m so surprised by Hugo and Prunella’s joint appearance. After all, they are married to each other. It’s inevitable that their paths will cross occasionally, like two weather systems conspiring to make a cyclone.
    ‘Beautiful day!’ Hugo says, peering out the window at the bright blue sky. ‘What’s on the agenda before lunch?’
    He looks at me.
    Rupert looks at me.
    Even Prunella deigns to look at me.
    Is it my job to entertain them as well as to feed, bathe and rest them? ‘I’m afraid I’m not really from around here, so...’
    ‘There are a few nice walks that run close to the house,’ Danny says as he brings in a pot of tea. He looks perfectly comfortable in the house now, like he lives here all the time.
    ‘If you wanted to go for a walk after breakfast, I’ll be happy to take you. It is a beautiful day. Lottie, would you like to come too?’
    ‘Yes, Lottie, please do,’ says Hugo.
    ‘Oh no, thanks, you go ahead. I’ll need to do some cleaning before lunch. Do take Mabel though, Danny, if you don’t mind looking after her.’
    ‘I don’t mind at all. What do you say, Mabel? Do you want to come for a walk with us?’
    She’s just come into the dining room with Amanda and Oliver. All three are whispering together.
    ‘Yes please!’ Mabel says.
    ‘What about you two?’ Rupert asks. ‘Do you fancy a little walk after breakfast?’
    ‘I hate walks!’ Amanda shouts. ‘I won’t go and you can’t make me.’
    ‘Walks are for losers,’ Oliver adds, looking straight at his uncle. ‘That makes you a loser.’
    I bet Rupert is really