Disclaimer not mine

Early Risers

Harry woke slowly, unused to being back in Dibley he stretched and opened his eyes. Sighing heavily he realised he was alone in the bed. Voices from downstairs told him that the rest of the village had worked out their Vicar was home. He rubbed his eyes and listened, hoping he'd hear Geraldine tell one of her friends what was happening. He swung his legs out of bed, knowing she never would. Not while the rest of the village still came to her door with their problems.

################

"Did you have a nice time?" Alice asked as Geraldine nodded.

"Yes, thank you Alice."

"Where's Harry? What have you done with him?"

"He's in bed."

"Now?" Alice raised an eyebrow.

"It is 7 am Alice. On a Saturday."

"Yeah but."

"Alice, why are you here?" Geraldine pulled her dressing gown closer to her.

"The Christmas service. Are you doing the Nativity this year?"

"After you having the baby, in the manger last Christmas. No I don't think so, Alice." Geraldine smiled.

"Oh good." Alice perched on the edge of the sofa, her hands in her lap. "Because I was thinking."

"Oh dear?"

"Sorry?"

"Oh really?" Geraldine frowned slightly, now more worried than ever.

"The Christmas service. It's on Christmas Day."

"Yes." Geraldine sighed.

"Well. I was thinking. And I know you'll just love this."

"Go on."

"What if you incorporated the story of the Nativity with the Top Of the Pops Christmas special."

"Hold on." Geraldine sat down at her desk and faced her. "You want me to tell the greatest story ever told. The story of our Lord God sending his only son to Earth to save us all with this year's greatest hits?"

"Well, yes." Alice smiled. "I knew you'd love it."

"Alice." Geraldine took a deep breath. "How about we all go to the church at 10 am on Christmas morning. Wish each other a Merry Christmas and I tell the story of the Nativity without Take That or JLS in the soundtrack? You know, just lovely traditional Christmas story."

"No music?"

"Well, hymns and Christmas Carols."

"Oh." Geraldine smiled as Alice nodded. "I'm glad I suggested that. I have a Wizard CD at home and I think Mum has a Cliff Richard tape somewhere. She likes him."

"Alice."

"I'll go to Mum's and have a look." Alice skipped out the door before Geraldine could say another word. The front door slammed as Geraldine got to her feet. The portrait of Christ stared down at her as she ran a hand through her hair.

"And I don't know what you are looking at. All this is for your birthday, you know." She addressed the picture before turning and heading toward the bathroom, knowing that now Alice had visited there was no way she was going to get any rest.

######################

"The Vicar is back." Hugo bounded into the living room as David nodded. The dog curled up at his feet.

"Is she?"

"Yes, Alice has been to see her."

"I see." David sipped his tea.

"Yes, they spoke about the Christmas service. Going to be rather jolly by all accounts."

"Jolly? At Christmas? Don't be ridiculous." David got to his feet and grabbed Bruno's lead. "I'm taking the dog out. We may be some time." Hugo frowned slightly, wondering what his father was planning now.

########################

A/N Is anyone reading this? Please review if you are.