A Winters Tale
Emma looked through the window of the Floozies workroom, it had started to snow, winter had arrived early in Little Candleford, the nights were colder and she could feel The Festive Season wasn’t far way. As she sewed the final stitches to Emilia’s Christmas gown her mind started to wander, she wondered whether the gown would be good enough, would Katherine and Louisa give their seal of approval. They were very Quality conscious and only the finest work could have the exclusive Floozies label and then again, what if Lady Emilia didn’t like it. She started to doubt her own ability but it was too late to change anything now, the next day Louisa and Katherine would see the gown for the first time and inspect the quality of her work.
Closing the Work room door, Emma locked it and started to make her way home. As she passed The Bakery she glanced at the upstairs rooms and saw Emilia standing at the window (Click on Photo to Enlarge), Emma waved and Emilia waved back. How she wished it was Friday night as that was the next time she would see Emilia properly. The girls had decided to keep their relationship a secret and were only seen together when Emma served Emilia in the Floozies shop or when they were taking Sunday Lunch at The Little Candleford Hotel. They met discreetly at Emilia’s Bakery on Friday and Saturday evenings and occasionally Emma would stay the night but Emma would not invite Emilia back to Candleford Cottage as she was ashamed her small home was not grand enough for a lady like Emilia, however now that Emma had a permanent position working at Floozies, every penny she earned was going to be spent repairing and renovating her little cottage so that one day it would be fine enough for her to invite Emilia to visit.
New Kid on the Frock
After a sleepless night worrying about Emilia’s gown, the day had finally arrived when Katherine and Louisa would see Emma’s creation for the first time and if they gave their approval Emilia would be invited to Floozies for a fitting.
Emma looked at the clock; it was almost midday and Louisa put the closed sign on the doors. We will close for lunch today suggested Katherine and we will have a look at Emilia’s Christmas Gown.
Emma nervously unveiled the mannequin as Katherine and Louisa looked on in amazement. Emma waited for them to comment and feared the worse." It’s OK" said Katherine, "Er….I expected a little more" said Louisa and the two girls turned and started to walk away
But there is more cried Emma desperately as she removed the fine lace wrap shawl to reveal a plunging neckline trimmed in white fur to match the fur trimmed hem of the red silk gown.
Louisa and Katherine both turned around giggling “Oh Emma, we were teasing you; the gown is lovely and will be perfect for Emilia” said Katherine “and now we have a surprise for you”
To Emma’s delight, Louisa told her that as she was spending all her money renovating the cottage there would be no charge for the dress and she must give it to Emilia for her Christmas Present.
Tears of joy ran down Emma’s face as the three girls hugged each other.
“This will be the best Christmas ever “said Emma, “Well it certainly will be for you” replied Louisa “with that plunging neckline on Emilia’s dress you’ll have no problem pulling her Christmas Crackers. ..... (Click on Photos below to enlarge)
Emma looked at the clock; it was almost midday and Louisa put the closed sign on the doors. We will close for lunch today suggested Katherine and we will have a look at Emilia’s Christmas Gown.
Emma nervously unveiled the mannequin as Katherine and Louisa looked on in amazement. Emma waited for them to comment and feared the worse." It’s OK" said Katherine, "Er….I expected a little more" said Louisa and the two girls turned and started to walk away
But there is more cried Emma desperately as she removed the fine lace wrap shawl to reveal a plunging neckline trimmed in white fur to match the fur trimmed hem of the red silk gown.
Louisa and Katherine both turned around giggling “Oh Emma, we were teasing you; the gown is lovely and will be perfect for Emilia” said Katherine “and now we have a surprise for you”
To Emma’s delight, Louisa told her that as she was spending all her money renovating the cottage there would be no charge for the dress and she must give it to Emilia for her Christmas Present.
Tears of joy ran down Emma’s face as the three girls hugged each other.
“This will be the best Christmas ever “said Emma, “Well it certainly will be for you” replied Louisa “with that plunging neckline on Emilia’s dress you’ll have no problem pulling her Christmas Crackers. ..... (Click on Photos below to enlarge)
Happy Flooziemas
It was another cold December afternoon, the day before Christmas Eve; Outdoors there was a thick layer of snow on the ground, it was still snowing heavily and despite the large roaring fire in the Living Room of The Manor house where Lady Adelaide was sitting it seemed cold and bare. She rang the bell and Mary the newly appointed Ladies Maid appeared. Can I help My Lady? Asked Mary
“Yes” replied Adelaide “It’s almost Christmas Eve, why hasn’t the house been decorated with the usual Garlands, Baubles, Holly and The Christmas Tree?”
“The truth is My Lady, Young Emma used to organise Christmas and I’m afraid since she left the servants seem to have lost interest and no one has given them any inspiration or instructions” answered Mary.
“Well in that case there will be no Christmas and the staff will all work as if Christmas Day is just an ordinary day” snarled Adelaide.
“But the staff are expecting time off to spend with their families” said Mary
“And I was expecting a traditional Christmas” replied Adelaide “So we will all be disappointed.”
That night as Adelaide lay in her bed she thought of how joyous Christmas used to be when she was courting Sir Timothy. She remembered the Carol Singing, the parties, the presents they shared on Christmas day and the love they had for each other. As she dozed into a deep sleep her pleasant thoughts and dreams turned into a nightmare. She dreamt of how nasty she had been to the servants depriving them of a Christmas spent with their families but more importantly how in the past she had upset her daughter Katherine, Louisa, Emilia and Emma and by doing so lost the love of her life Sir Timothy. It was like the Dickens Christmas Carol as journeyed through the happy Christmases past to how sad and lonely Christmas is now and would be in the future, Oh how she wished she could change the way things were.
Morning arrived, it was Christmas Eve and Adelaide was woken by the sound of laughing and singing of Christmas Rhymes. ‘What on earth is happening’ she wondered and as she made her way down the stairs to the Great Hall, She couldn't believe what she saw …. In the hall stood a beautiful Christmas tree decorated with baubles, pine cones and garlands and around the bottom of the tree were beautifully wrapped parcels. The Hall walls were decked with boughs of holly and mistletoe hung from the ceiling. There was a wonderful fragrance throughout the house of baking, it smelled of freshly baked bread, mince pies, cakes and sausage rolls. . . . . . . . . Click on Photos to Enlarge
“Yes” replied Adelaide “It’s almost Christmas Eve, why hasn’t the house been decorated with the usual Garlands, Baubles, Holly and The Christmas Tree?”
“The truth is My Lady, Young Emma used to organise Christmas and I’m afraid since she left the servants seem to have lost interest and no one has given them any inspiration or instructions” answered Mary.
“Well in that case there will be no Christmas and the staff will all work as if Christmas Day is just an ordinary day” snarled Adelaide.
“But the staff are expecting time off to spend with their families” said Mary
“And I was expecting a traditional Christmas” replied Adelaide “So we will all be disappointed.”
That night as Adelaide lay in her bed she thought of how joyous Christmas used to be when she was courting Sir Timothy. She remembered the Carol Singing, the parties, the presents they shared on Christmas day and the love they had for each other. As she dozed into a deep sleep her pleasant thoughts and dreams turned into a nightmare. She dreamt of how nasty she had been to the servants depriving them of a Christmas spent with their families but more importantly how in the past she had upset her daughter Katherine, Louisa, Emilia and Emma and by doing so lost the love of her life Sir Timothy. It was like the Dickens Christmas Carol as journeyed through the happy Christmases past to how sad and lonely Christmas is now and would be in the future, Oh how she wished she could change the way things were.
Morning arrived, it was Christmas Eve and Adelaide was woken by the sound of laughing and singing of Christmas Rhymes. ‘What on earth is happening’ she wondered and as she made her way down the stairs to the Great Hall, She couldn't believe what she saw …. In the hall stood a beautiful Christmas tree decorated with baubles, pine cones and garlands and around the bottom of the tree were beautifully wrapped parcels. The Hall walls were decked with boughs of holly and mistletoe hung from the ceiling. There was a wonderful fragrance throughout the house of baking, it smelled of freshly baked bread, mince pies, cakes and sausage rolls. . . . . . . . . Click on Photos to Enlarge
Following the wonderful aroma of the Christmas cooking she made her way to the kitchen and as she opened the door she saw the servants wearing Christmas hats and happily singing Christmas rhymes while busily performing their duties and around the large kitchen table stood Katherine, Louisa, Emma and Emilia . All of a sudden the room went quiet and there was a deadly silence as Adelaide walked in.
"Merry Christmas Ma’ma” shouted Lady Katherine, Merry Christmas Lady ‘A’ shouted Louisa and Emma and Emilia also greeted her with “Merry Christmas My Lady”, For once Adelaide was almost speechless, “ but I don’t understand, am I still dreaming” she muttered.
"Merry Christmas Ma’ma” shouted Lady Katherine, Merry Christmas Lady ‘A’ shouted Louisa and Emma and Emilia also greeted her with “Merry Christmas My Lady”, For once Adelaide was almost speechless, “ but I don’t understand, am I still dreaming” she muttered.
Sir Timothy emerged from behind the group of servants “ Merry Christmas Adelaide, No you are not dreaming. This was all Emma’s doing, she has arranged everything but more importantly she reminded us all that Christmas is a time for Forgiving, Forgetting and New Beginnings, so Adelaide we are hoping you will share our sentiment and spend this Christmas Eve day with us and tonight join us at The Christmas Carol Service Katherine has organised outside Floozies and tomorrow we would like you to spend Christmas day with us, your family.” (Click on photo to Enlarge)
With tears of joy in her eyes Adelaide spoke with an unusual kindness in her voice “I would love to accept your invitation, you are all so kind, I really don't deserve you and from now on I promise things will be different, I will be a much nicer person, I may even become a 'Floozie'
“Well” joked Louisa,” If you’re finally joining us Floozies, play your cards right and Sir Tim might just get his nuts in for Christmas . . . . . . Merry Flooziemas Everyone" |