The Christmas Card: The perfect heartwarming novel for Christmas from the Sunday Times bestseller

Alice covered her mouth with her hand, trying hard not to laugh.

Horace shot her a baleful look. ‘I suppose you think it’s funny, but I could have broken a limb.’

‘Well, you obviously didn’t,’ Jane said impatiently. ‘I gave you explicit instructions to wait for Alice and see her safely home, instead of which you act the fool, sliding around in the snow like a five-year-old. I despair of you sometimes, Horace.’ She turned on her heel and marched into the dining room. ‘And don’t think you can stay for dinner because you are not invited. Having two extra mouths to feed is an expense I could well do without, and you have an appetite like a horse.’

Alice felt almost sorry for Horace, who hung his head, looking sheepish. The tip of his nose had turned from red to blue and he was shivering convulsively. He clutched his top hat to his chest. ‘That’s rather harsh, Cousin. A drop of hot toddy would save me from catching a chill and it’s a long walk to West Smithfield.’

‘I do not hold with strong spirits, as you well know. A glass of sherry wine on special occasions is acceptable, as is communion wine, but strong drink is the work of the devil. Now go home and leave us to have our meal in peace.’

Horace made a move towards the door, ramming his slightly battered hat on his head. ‘I suppose you’ll pray for me when I’m dying of lung fever,’ he grumbled.

Clara opened the door for him and he left the house still muttering.

‘Bring the soup, Snippet,’ Jane called from the dining room. ‘We’ll dine now.’

Alice nodded to Clara. ‘I’ll hang my things up. Better do as my aunt says.’

Clara skipped off, no doubt to relate the goings-on above stairs to an interested Mrs Jugg.

Having divested herself of her outdoor garments, Alice entered the dining room to find her mother already seated at table.

Beth looked up and smiled. ‘How was it today, dear? Was the child better behaved?’

‘Never mind that now.’ Jane glared at Alice from her place at the head of the table. ‘I think you owe me an explanation as to your behaviour, young lady. Why did you refuse Horace’s offer to walk you home? Are you going out of your way to be difficult?’ Alice took her seat at table. ‘No, Aunt, but I’ve considered the matter carefully and I want nothing to do with Horace. I cannot stand the man and I’d rather live under a railway arch than tie myself to a creature like him.’

Beth gasped, staring at her sister-in-law wide-eyed. ‘She doesn’t mean it, Jane. Alice must be tired after a long day at the Dearborns’ establishment.’

‘That is no excuse for out-and-out rudeness. You will apologise, Alice.’

Alice could see that her outburst had upset her mother and she regretted her hasty words. ‘I am sorry if I offended you, Aunt Jane. But I dislike Horace intensely and I cannot see myself married to him.’

‘Whether you like or dislike your future husband is immaterial. You know my terms. You either accept them or you leave my house. Do you understand?’

After dinner, which as usual was badly cooked and meagre, Alice and her mother huddled by the fire in the dining room. Jane had gone to her room, warning them not to waste expensive candles by staying up late.

‘I am sorry, Mama,’ Alice said softly. ‘I was angry but I shouldn’t have spoken out against Horace like that.’

‘He isn’t the ideal husband,’ Beth agreed, sighing. ‘I’m sure he has many excellent qualities, but for a start he is much too old for you. I wouldn’t want to see you married to someone like him, even if it meant that we were to live in luxury.’

‘I can’t do anything until after Christmas, but I’ll start looking for a better-paid position so that we can find a room to rent, although I’ll hate to leave Flora. She’s a lonely little girl who pines for the mother she’s never known.’

‘That is sad, but if her mother gave her up willingly perhaps she is better off where she is.’

‘It’s hard being a servant, Mama. I keep forgetting that I’m supposed to be invisible and keep silent, especially when I see things going horribly wrong.’

‘I’d like to meet Flora, and I’d like to give Mrs Dearborn a piece of my mind.’

Alice chuckled at the thought of her meek and mild mother taking on a termagant like Lydia Dearborn. ‘I don’t know about that, Mama, but you’ll see Flora tomorrow. We’ll spend Christmas Day trying to make her happy, but I wish I had a present to give her.’

Beth frowned thoughtfully. ‘What would she like the most?’

‘That’s easy. She’d like to find her real mother.’

Next morning when Alice went to wake her mother she was alarmed to find her unwell and feverish.

‘I must have caught a chill,’ Beth said faintly. ‘It’s so cold in this house, and Jane insisted that I polish the brass door knocker yesterday, even though it was snowing.’

Alice laid her hand on her mother’s forehead. ‘You are rather hot. You ought to stay in bed, but I don’t want to leave you on your own.’

‘I’ll sleep most of the day, my darling. I would have loved to meet young Flora and see inside the Dearborns’ mansion, but I’m better off where I am.’

‘But it’s Christmas Day and I have nothing to give you, Mama. I am so sorry it’s come to this.’

Beth lifted a thin hand to touch her daughter’s cheek. ‘You are the greatest gift of all. What more could a mother want than a daughter who is kind as well as beautiful, and very talented?’

‘Mama, you’ll have me blushing if you say things like that.’ Alice leaned over to drop a kiss on her mother’s forehead. ‘I’ll ask Clara to keep an eye on you, and I’ll come home as soon as I’ve finished work.’ She was about to leave the room when her mother called her back.

‘I want to give you something.’ Beth’s voice was hoarse and little more than a whisper. ‘Look in my reticule. The only piece of jewellery that I have left is the silver butterfly brooch your father gave me when you were born. I want you to have it, my love.’

Alice hesitated; she knew how much her mother valued the delicate filigree brooch. ‘Are you sure, Mama? You don’t have to give me anything.’

‘I’ll have the pleasure of seeing you wear it, and it’s the only thing of value I managed to save from the bailiffs. Please take it, Alice.’

Not wanting to distress her mother, she reached for the reticule and took out the brooch, pinning it at the neck of her blouse. ‘Thank you, Mama. I’ll treasure it always.’

Beth’s eyelids drooped. ‘You mustn’t be late or Mrs Dearborn might dismiss you, and I’m sleepy.’

Alice tucked her in and left the room quietly, closing the door behind her. Downstairs in the dining room she found a plate of cold porridge waiting for her but there was no sign of her aunt. Clara brought her a pot of tea, and as usual there was neither milk nor sugar to make it more palatable.

Alice stirred the thick glutinous oatmeal, wrinkling her nose. ‘I can’t eat this. Has my aunt left for church, Clara?’

‘Yes, miss. She went out early and won’t be back for hours. I’m sorry about the porridge, but she made me put it out even though you weren’t here. She said something about being punctual for meals.’ She eyed the plate, licking her lips. ‘Mrs Jugg will tell her if you don’t eat it, miss.’

‘You can have it, Clara. If you don’t mind eating a cold sticky mess—’ She broke off as Clara seized the plate and proceeded to spoon the unappetising food into her mouth. ‘Are you always this hungry?’

Clara swallowed a mouthful. ‘I get my porridge watered down, miss. Cook says it goes further that way.’

‘I suppose it does.’ Alice finished her tea, ignoring the pangs of hunger that cramped her stomach. ‘Will you look in on my mother later, Clara? She’s unwell and I’d be grateful if you would take care of her for me. I’ll get home as soon as I can.’

Clara gulped down the last morsel. ‘I dare say there won’t be much merriment below stairs today, miss. I don’t think we’ll be feasting on roast goose and plum pudding, but I’ll keep an eye on the missis. She’s been kind to me.’

‘My mother is kind to everyone,’ Alice said, smiling. ‘I know I can rely on you, Clara. Merry Christmas, such as it is in this house.’

Alice arrived at the house in Russell Square to find the servants bustling about making ready for the guests to arrive. The kitchen was steamy and fragrant with delicious smells that made her mouth water when she collected Alice’s breakfast tray. Nettie had been set to work churning ice cream for the elaborate bombe that Cook was endeavouring to recreate from one of Mrs Beeton’s recipes. Mrs Upton was overseeing arrangements, marching around the kitchen like a sergeant major, and Hoskins had retired to his pantry to put the finishing touches to polishing the silver and the best crystal glasses. The Dearborns’ Christmas feast was obviously going to be a very grand affair. Alice took the back stairs, carrying the heavy tray to the nursery with a growing feeling of admiration for Nettie, who in the normal course of things had to do this several times each day.

Flora was unexpectedly subdued and quiet. She picked at her breakfast, showing little enthusiasm for the food.

‘What’s the matter?’ Alice asked anxiously. ‘Are you unwell, Flora?’

‘No. I’m quite well, thank you.’

‘You’ve been so excited about Christmas, so what’s wrong?’

‘They don’t want me here,’ Flora said, her bottom lip trembling. ‘And I want to be with my real mama.’

Alice moved swiftly to give her a comforting hug. ‘I understand.’

‘No,’ Flora cried, burying her head in her hands. ‘No one understands how I feel.’

Alice stroked her hair. ‘Your uncle said he would try to help, and I think you should put your trust in him. I’m sure he’ll do the right thing.’ She turned with a start at the sound of someone outside the door, and was about to tell Nettie that Flora had not finished her breakfast when Rory entered the room.

‘What’s all this, Flora?’ he said cheerfully. ‘Why the long face? It’s Christmas Day.’

She jumped to her feet and ran to him. ‘Have you found out where my real mama lives? May we go and see her today?’

‘I don’t know about that, Flora. I’m in a difficult position.’

‘But you promised, Uncle Rory. Alice told me you’d keep your word.’

He glanced at Alice, a wry smile curving his lips. ‘Did she now?’

‘Yes,’ Alice said sharply. ‘But it seems I was mistaken.’

‘As it happens I’ve given it a lot of thought since yesterday, and I think Flora should be allowed to visit her mother. My brother and sister-in-law won’t agree with me, but in this instance I’m prepared to risk their displeasure.’

Flora stared at him wide-eyed. ‘You’ll take me to see her?’

‘I will, but only if Miss Radcliffe will accompany us.’ He met Alice’s startled gaze with a question in his eyes.

‘Yes, of course I will. I think it’s a splendid idea. Put your coat on, Flora, and your best bonnet.’

‘You do realise that you could find yourself in serious trouble if we’re found out.’ Rory said in a low voice. ‘I wouldn’t ask it of you, but I think Flora will need you when she discovers that reality is sometimes hard to take.’

She nodded. ‘Where are we going?’

‘Blossom Street. It’s in Spitalfields, off White Lion Street. I’m afraid it’s not the most salubrious area in London.’

Rory had spoken the truth. Blossom Street sounded romantic and brought visions of trees in springtime decked with pink and white flowers, but nothing could be further from the truth. White Lion Street itself was lined on both sides with terraced Georgian townhouses, once owned by affluent silk weavers, but now fading into genteel poverty. Blossom Street was a mixture of warehouses, workshops and cheap lodging houses. The cabby had been reluctant to venture this far, but a large tip from Rory had persuaded him to wait for them on the corner.

The snow was knee-deep, giving Blossom Street a charm that it otherwise did not possess. Alice clutched Flora’s hand as they made their way to the address where Rory hoped to find Molly Bishop, Flora’s birth mother. He paused outside a red-brick house with green shutters that were hanging off their hinges, and a front door where the lower panels had either rotted or had been deliberately kicked in. Finding it unlocked, Rory opened it and stepped inside. Alice and Flora followed him, but the stench was suffocating and Alice covered her nose and mouth with her hand. Flora looked up at her, wrinkling her nose.

‘That’s disgusting,’ she said loudly.

‘Don’t worry,’ Rory said cheerfully. ‘It’s bound to get worse. If my information is correct Molly Bishop lives in the basement.’ He opened a door beneath the staircase and they were engulfed in a waft of fetid air.

‘Are you sure you want to do this?’ Alice asked anxiously. ‘We could leave now, Flora.’

‘No,’ Flora said in a small voice. ‘I won’t leave without seeing my mama.’

Rory patted her on the shoulder. ‘All right, Floss, we’ve come this far.’ He met Alice’s gaze with a smile. ‘I’ll take her if you’d rather wait here.’

‘No,’ Alice said stoutly. ‘We’re in this together. Lead on.’

They descended into almost pitch-darkness where the evil-smelling air felt thick and cloying, like walking through a peasouper. The rancid odour of the tallow candle at the foot of the stairs added to the noxious vapours, and in its dim light there appeared to be just two rooms leading off a narrow hallway.

Rory motioned them to wait while he investigated the nearest, but he came out shaking his head. ‘You don’t want to go in there.’ He disappeared into the room at the rear of the building and returned moments later. ‘She’s in there, but you can change your mind, Flora. You don’t have to put yourself through this if it’s too much for you.’

‘Yes, Flora,’ Alice said earnestly. ‘We can leave some money for your mother and she’ll understand. She made a huge sacrifice in giving you up.’

‘I want to see her, and I want to ask her why she did it.’

Rory picked up the candle. ‘I hope I’ve done the right thing by bringing you here.’

‘It’s a bit late to worry about that, isn’t it?’ Alice tightened her hold on Flora’s small hand. ‘I’m with you, dear.’

The appalling smell was made worse by the stench of unwashed bodies and human excrement. Even in the dim light of a single candle Alice could see fungus sprouting from the lichen-encrusted walls, and she was aware of hunched shapes, some lying on the floor as if dead to the world, while others propped themselves up against the bare brickwork. All of them were clad in filthy rags. The more fortunate adults wore boots, but the children appeared to be barefoot in the bone-chilling cold. A loud keening made Alice’s blood curdle in her veins.

Chapter Six

‘What do you want, guv? If you’re the landlord we ain’t got no money for rent.’ One of the shadowy shapes rose with difficulty, holding out stick-like arms. ‘Have pity on a poor widow, sir.’

Rory took a step forward, keeping a wary eye on the other occupants of the cellar. ‘Are you Molly Bishop?’

The woman shrank back into the darkness and another, bolder figure stepped forward. ‘Who wants to know? If you’re the law then I never done nothing wrong. It were Long Nell what bashed the cove over the head. I weren’t even there at the time.’

‘I’m not the law, madam,’ Rory said hastily. ‘If you are Molly Bishop speak up. There’s someone who wants to meet you.’ He held the candle closer to reveal a woman who, despite her dishevelled appearance, was better dressed and fractionally cleaner than the other occupants of the cellar.

‘And if I am Molly Bishop, what would the likes of you want with me?’

‘It was your child’s Christmas wish to meet her mother.’ Rory placed a protective hand on Flora’s shoulder. ‘This is your daughter, or so I’ve been led to believe.’

Molly clutched her bony hands to her breast. ‘Is it really you, Fanny?’

‘Flora,’ Rory said sternly. ‘Her name is Flora.’

‘Of course it is. My mind wanders something terrible these days.’

‘It’s the laudanum, my duck.’ The woman who had spoken first cackled with laughter. ‘Got a penny piece so she can get some more, guv?’

‘Shut up, you old troll.’ Molly peered at Flora, twisting her lips into a parody of a smile. ‘Come to your mama, darling.’

Flora’s fingers curled around Alice’s hand and she shook her head.

‘You’re frightening her, ma’am,’ Alice said, drawing Flora closer.

‘You are me long lost child.’ Molly insisted. ‘Me little daughter what was robbed from me by rich folk. I never wanted to give you up, me little angel.’

Rory stepped in between them. ‘That’s not quite true, is it, Molly?’

‘As I said just now, I’m the child’s mother.’ She inched towards Flora. ‘I was tricked into giving you away, my baby girl.’

‘As I heard it you were quite handsomely paid,’ Rory said calmly. ‘Where are your other children? You had seven of them, according to Smithson.’ He held up his hand as Molly opened her mouth to protest. ‘I know she’s not the most reliable witness, but when I tracked her down yesterday she was reasonably sober and it was she who told me where to find you.’

‘Well, I could lie to you, guv, but the sad truth is that they’re all gone. The little ’uns is buried in paupers’ graves and the older ones have run away, the ungrateful brats. They left their poor ma to survive on the streets. I ain’t had a proper meal in days – weeks, even.’

‘She lying, guv. It’s her what owns the building. She’s here to collect the rent from us poor devils.’ The voice from the shadows spoke up again, accompanied by grunts of assent.

‘Don’t take no notice of her,’ Molly said hastily. ‘She’s touched in the head – they all are. I’m poor like them and in need of help.’

‘Have I got brothers and sisters?’ Flora asked anxiously. ‘Why did you give me away? Didn’t you love me?’

Molly eyed her speculatively. ‘Of course I did, me little flower. I loves you with all me heart, but they snatched you from me arms. I cried for a week after you’d gone.’ She reached out to grab Flora by the arm. ‘Now you’ve come back and you can look after your old ma. I got plans for you, darling.’

Flora pulled away, cowering against Alice. ‘I don’t want to live here. You’re not the beautiful angel I see in my dreams.’

A ripple of grim laughter echoed round the room, and Molly turned on her companions with her hands balled into fists. ‘Shut up, the lot of you.’ She bent down so that her face was close to Flora’s. ‘You wouldn’t leave poor Molly to rot, would you, sweetheart?’

‘I think I’d like to go home,’ Flora whispered.

‘We’ve seen and heard enough.’ Rory put his hand in his pocket and took out a small leather purse. ‘This will keep you in laudanum or whatever takes your fancy for a few days, Molly. Merry Christmas.’

She snatched the money and slipped it down the neck of her blouse, glaring at him with narrowed eyes. ‘So you’re taking me baby away again, are you, guv? I deserve more compensation than that.’

‘You surely don’t expect the child to stay here, do you?’ Rory moved closer to Alice and Flora as the other occupants of the basement room stirred, some of them rising to their feet and others slithering towards them on their backsides.

‘You could take me with you, sir.’ Molly eyed Flora with a sly smile. ‘I could look after me girl. You needn’t tell no one that we’re mother and child. You could say I’m the new nursemaid.’ She made a move towards Flora. ‘You love your old ma, don’t you, girl? Otherwise you wouldn’t have come all this way to see me.’

Alice could stand no more. ‘You are a mean, ungrateful woman, Molly. You don’t deserve a lovely daughter like Flora. It was her dearest wish to find you and make sure you were all right, and this is how you treat her. Do you never think of anyone other than yourself?’

‘I want to go now,’ Flora whispered.

‘That’s right,’ Molly pointed a bony finger at Flora. ‘Run off with your rich friends and leave me here to rot. I’m the one what gave you life and this is how you treat me.’

Low growling sounds echoed off the walls as the other occupants advanced on them. Rory reached into his pocket once again and dropped a handful of coins in their midst. In the wild scramble that ensued he guided Alice and Flora out of the room and up the stairs. Screams and threats followed them even as they reached the street, but thankfully the cab was waiting for them on the corner, as instructed.

‘It’ll be double what I quoted you, guv,’ the cabby said crossly.

‘I won’t argue with that.’ Rory bundled Flora into the cab and Alice climbed in after her. ‘Drive on, cabby.’ Rory jumped in and slammed the door.

Flora sobbed all the way home and nothing that either Alice or Rory could say seemed to comfort her.

‘This was a terrible mistake,’ Alice said in a low voice. ‘We’ve only made things worse for the poor child.’

‘She’s upset now but maybe it’s for the best. At least she knows what sort of woman her mother is.’

Alice was not convinced. She tightened her hold on Flora and they lapsed into silence until they reached Russell Square.

They were met in the entrance hall by Lydia, who had been issuing orders to Hoskins, but she broke off when she saw them.

‘What’s the meaning of this?’ she demanded angrily. ‘How dare you take Flora out without first consulting me?’

Rory handed his hat and coat to Hoskins, who backed away hastily. ‘Merry Christmas, Lydia. I must say that the house looks very festive.’

‘You can’t get round me that way, Rory. I want an answer.’

Flora opened her mouth to speak, but Alice silenced her with a warning glance.

‘I knew you would be busy preparing for your guests to arrive,’ Rory said smoothly. ‘So I took the liberty of asking Flora and Miss Radcliffe to accompany me to my office in Ludgate Circus, where I had a surprise for Flora.’

‘What sort of surprise?’ Lydia shook her head. ‘Really, you are the most exasperating person, Rory.’

‘It’s a secret, Lydia.’ Rory winked at Flora and patted his jacket pocket. ‘One that must be put beneath the Christmas tree with the other presents.’

Lydia threw up her hands. ‘You are talking nonsense, and you abused our trust by taking Flora from the house without my permission.’ She turned to Alice, frowning. ‘As for you, Miss Radcliffe, I’ll deal with you later.’

‘No, Mama.’ Flora stamped her foot, scowling. ‘You must not blame her. It was my doing and I threatened to have a tantrum if she didn’t allow me to go with Uncle Rory.’

‘Keep out of this, Flora. It’s none of your business.’

‘I’ll scream and make myself sick if you don’t promise to be nice to Alice.’ Flora opened her mouth, closing her eyes and screwing up her face until tears oozed from beneath her eyelids.

‘Stop that, you horrid child,’ Lydia cried, holding her hand to her forehead. ‘My guests will be arriving for luncheon at any moment. Stop it, I say.’

Flora opened one eye. ‘Do you promise, Mama?’

‘Yes, I suppose so.’ She was shaking with barely suppressed anger as she spun round to face Alice. ‘In the future if Mr Dearborn suggests an outing you must check with me first, Miss Radcliffe. Do you understand?’

Alice nodded and bobbed a curtsey. ‘Yes, ma’am.’

‘Come with me, Rory. I haven’t finished with you.’ Lydia marched off in the direction of the staircase, leaving Flora and Alice to make their way back to the nursery.

‘Don’t worry, poppet,’ Rory said, winking at Flora. ‘I’ll see you later.’ His expression changed subtly as he turned to Alice. ‘All will be well, I promise,’ he added in a low voice. ‘Coming, Lydia.’ He strolled off, following in his sister-in-law’s wake.

Flora waited until they were back in the nursery. She grinned up at Alice. ‘Uncle Rory is a good liar and I’m rather good at getting my own way.’

‘Are you all right, my dear?’ Alice asked anxiously. ‘I know you were very upset by what we saw this morning. Your uncle meant well by taking you to see your mother.’