Chapter 15

“Merry Christmas, my Darling!”

“Merry Christmas, Grace my sweet!”

“Merry Christmas, dear old Engelbart!”

These last words were said together by the two happy and extremely tipsy girls.

Engelbart stirred not in the slightest as he slept before the warm fire. Stupid girls! He loved them both dearly, but he was having such a lovely dream!

“I suppose the spirits of our dear wood were here long before Christianity!” said a semi coherent Caroline.

“Rubbish, my sweet!” replied her ever happier companion. “Jesus Christ was present at the foundation of the world and he is older than any of us, even the spirits of the wood! Of course - our spirits in our sacred grove were here long before Augustine came to bring the Gospel to our land, but those spirits rejoiced when he came and they rejoice to this day - although they must be so sad at our once great nation’s decline into selfish materialism.”

The two ever more mutually infatuated young women had just come back from a night spent under the sacred oaks. Christmas Eve had brought the first snowfall of the winter and both girls had known as they watched the swirling snowflakes turn their beloved world into a white wonderland, that this was their night to sleep out in the cold and snow.

As they reached the grove, their naked feet having left behind them a trail of perfectly formed prints in the virgin snow, Caroline saw a huge pile of leaves, heaped up beneath the venerable tree that had stood guard over them for so many a blessed night during the summer.

“Sorry if I seem to be cheating, my love. But I think these leaves may just keep us both alive during this holy and lovely night! Remember the story of the Babes in the Wood? Well, Caroline! We’re two cute little babes in this lovely old wood! Let’s get ourselves comfortable - as far as we can!”

The two excited girls burrowed down deep into the pile of autumn leaves, trying to forget the multitude of non-too savory creatures with whom they were sharing their rest, and slept the most peaceful night that had either of them ever known. When they had wakened long before the dawn and exchanged Christmas greetings and frighteningly passionate Christmas kisses, both knew that a bond now existed between them that neither life nor death could ever break.

The succulent chicken, that had so recently fussed and clucked about the farmyard, had been eaten, washed down with Grace’s fine cider, and a greedy Engelbart had been given his share. All three occupants of the farm stretched out luxuriating in front of the cheerful fire. After a while and with a great effort, Grace roused herself and left the room, coming back with a bottle, a corkscrew and two glasses.

“Your grandfather and I had planned to drink this together, Caroline. Sadly, we were not able. The cares of the world intervened and this precious wine has been left unopened for far too long. Now is the time to drink it. Sorry, Engelbart my love! You can’t share this, I’m afraid!”

Caroline had never before tasted such a fine wine. She took one sip and Grace did the same and leaned towards her with her mouth invitingly open. The two shared the precious vintage together, passing wine slowly and sensuously from one mouth to another until the bottle was empty.

The cat watched intently as his two beloved friends passed slowly into a happy, alcohol induced, stupor. When both had passed out, he jumped lightly onto Caroline’s recumbent form and curled up happily on her naked and comfortable stomach. When the two friends awoke, Engelbart was still there and Caroline had not the heart to disturb him. She lay quietly and studied his peaceful sleeping furriness for a while before going back to sleep herself. Grace watched the two of them for some time before getting slowly to her feet. She tidied up all the remnants of the Christmas festivities, then picked Caroline up with great tenderness and carried her upstairs to bed. Engelbart followed behind, his tail high in the air and purring loudly.

Outside the snow continued to fall and the whole world was covered with a white blanket. There would be plenty of work in the morning for the girls to do, clearing the snow from the farmyard and feeding the livestock, but that was hours away. For the time being all that they had to do was sleep, the three of them together, happy in each other’s company.