Seacliff

Chapter fifty-two: Out with the old

1938

As much as he loved his new university life in Edinburgh, Aidan was sure glad that Christmas Eve fell on a Saturday this year. It meant he could spend it at Seacliff Lodge with his whole family. Nothing beat his mum's holiday cooking, or his sister's joy at setting up the tree and unwrapping presents.

"Aidan, sweetie!" Saoirse called over the din of sorting through pots, pans, and decorations when the doorbell chimed. "Will you get that, please?"

"Sure, Ma." The boy stepped down from securing a garland to the wall. "It's probably Jemmy, anyway."

Aidan skipped over tins and boxes of ornaments to the front door, swinging it open.

"Blithe Yule!" the McLellans chorused excitedly and Aunt Maggie leaned in for a hug.

"Nollaig shona dhaoibh," Aidan returned the greeting in Gaelic and stepped aside to let their guests pass through.

Jemmy walked in last, bearing in his arms a footlong wooden figurine which he gave to Aidan.

"Goodness, Jemmy," Aidan exclaimed, examining the smooth intricacies of the small sculpture. Not one crooked line or rough edge to be seen. It almost felt like the one-eyed old woman carved into the log was staring back at him. "You've really outdone yourself with this one."

The hint of a blush seemed to deepen the colour in Jemmy's cheeks, already rosy from the cold. "I got to use a carpenter's tools this year."

Grinning, Aidan showed his friend into the front room and left the wooden Cailleach on the mantelpiece, between his parents' wedding portrait and the maneki neko whose paw perpetually beckoned.

"Do you need a hand?" Jemmy asked. He picked up one end of the evergreen garland slithering on the floor.

"Oh, it wouldn't hurt," Aidan replied, "if we want to finish up in time for Christmas!"

"Oh, Mortimer," Jemmy laughed, shaking his head. "As always, you'd be dead without me."

Aidan gave his friend a playful shove before he climbed back up on the ladder and took the garland from his hands.

*

Ever since she'd moved to Seacliff Lodge up until her last breath, Auntie Aoife had maintained spruce trees in her garden. During the wartime years, she'd even donated trees to Edington Home, to bring some cheer to the wounded there. Saoirse had carried on with that tradition and replaced every tree they cut down for Christmas.

Now a tall, dense spruce took up a corner of the room, to one side of the fireplace. The clock had been moved to accommodate it and Aidan hoisted his sister up on his shoulders, so she could perch the golden angel atop the tree. The adults cheered once the girl managed it and Aidan did a little dance before setting Aoife down and ruffling her hair.

The fragrant aroma of pine and mulled wine mingled with the warm scent of burning wood as the logs creaked and crackled behind the fire screen. Mr and Mrs McLellan sat beside each other on the settee, while Saoirse and James had taken up the armchairs. Despite the offer of a stool, Jemmy had chosen to sit cross-legged under the tree.

"Well done!" Saoirse clapped. "What a beautiful tree, my dears. Jemmy, will you do the Cailleach honours?"

Sheepish, the boy stood up and headed for the fireplace. He picked up the wooden figurine, holding it with both hands, his eyes squeezed shut. His lips moved in a silent chant, whether wish or prayer, Aidan couldn't tell.

Still, it felt only right to join his best friend by the hearth and lay a comforting hand on his shoulder. Jemmy opened his eyes. He reached for Aidan's hand, placing it over his own, and together they chucked the old hag into the flames.

"Out with the old," Aidan murmured, lacing his fingers with Jemmy's, "in with the new. Who's excited for Hogmanay in Edinburgh?"

The boys were due back to their responsibilities in the city on Monday – university studies for Aidan, carpentry apprenticeship for Jemmy. Their friends there had invited them to a Hogmanay celebration on Portobello Beach. It would be their first Hogmanay away from home.

"Jem?"

Jemmy quickly dabbed at his eyes with the back of his free hand.

"I'm excited, all right," the boy answered, his grin lopsided. As if just noticing it, he unclasped his fingers from Aidan's grasp and wrung his hands together.

Behind them, their fathers had moved to stand by the window, while their mothers entertained Aoife on the settee. Aidan caught disparate snippets of the conversation between James and Uncle Mac. Something about rent money.

James had refused to accept any rent after inviting Jemmy to live with him and Aidan in Edinburgh, where the doctor now worked. Aidan guessed the men were arguing about that again. Even Auntie Maggie had insisted with his ma. But his parents couldn't bring themselves to take money from friends who were just starting to recover after a decade of hardship.

And Aidan thought it only right. If they had a room to spare, why let it go to waste instead of offering it to someone who needed it? The added bonus of that someone being his dearest friend was most welcome.

"I should go," Jemmy said.

Aidan snapped out of his pensive trance. "Go? But – "

"Yes, looks like Ma is getting ready to leave."

Aidan glanced at Auntie Maggie standing up from the settee. She set her empty cup down on the coffee table and fished for her gloves.

"I... I thought you'd – you'd stay the night," Aidan stammered. "So we can open our presents on Christmas morning. Like we used to when we were kids!"

"Yes, well, we're not kids anymore, are we, Aidan?"

The retort stumped Aidan.

"Besides," Jemmy added, "I still have quite a few things to pack. I'll... I'll see you tomorrow, I suppose?"

"Sure," Aidan nodded, reluctant. "Tomorrow."

Gulping, Aidan watched Jemmy gather his things and walk with his parents to the front door. Aoife saw the guests off with enthusiastic waves. Her brother barely managed a smile.