The next day was full of bustle and cheer, as the large crowd prepared for the following day. Even the GA was infected, and was even caught smiling at one point, though she heartily denied it when Nancy called her out on it.

The highlight of the day, everyone agreed, had to be when Roger and Titty, once more getting in everyone's way, were sent into the sitting room to tie up some string for hanging cards from, as the dining room walls were full. The next thing anyone heard from them was a startled shriek, followed by a yell of "stop wriggling, Roger, you're making it worse", and the party converged on the sitting room to find the two seemingly impossibly entangled on the floor, wrapped round the string, a chair leg, and each other. Once the spectators had finished laughing, the two were set free, and settled down with a board game where it was judged they couldn't cause too much more chaos.

The day passed quickly, and the adults kept everyone busy so that there was no time for anyone to think too much about the excitement that the morrow would bring. Finally, once everyone was well and truly worn out, they were allowed to retire to bed, where they fell asleep immediately.

…

Bridget was the first one up the next morning, and soon had woken up the whole party. Groaning and yawning they all stumbled downstairs, where they'd all placed their presents for each other under the tree the day before. Now they started the troublesome business of giving them out, passing them round to people and watching as each uncovered their gift. There was general agreement that everyone had done well at selecting appropriate gifts.

Mrs Blackett rose when they were about half way through the pile, and announced that she was hungry and they ought to eat breakfast if they wanted to be ready in time for the GA's arrival and the Christmas service at church.

They all lent a hand with putting together breakfast, Cook having been sent home to spend the next four days with her family, and then they settled round the table. Everyone was in high spirits, and there was a lot of joking and laughter as they tucked in. Then they all dressed up smart, even Nancy putting on a dress without too much fuss, and were all waiting patiently by the door in time for the GA's arrival.

…

By the time they returned it was time to eat dinner, and so it was all hands on deck once more in order to ensure everything was on the table in time to be eaten. So the presents were abandoned until the afternoon.

…

When they were all crammed around the tree once more, Nancy started the chain off. Peggy reached under the tree and handed her a box, marked clearly with her name, but no message as to who was the giver. Curiously Nancy opened it, and inside found a small silver heart pendant on a silver chain. It was simple, but very pretty, and obviously quite expensive. Peggy took one look at it and demanded

"Who got you that?"

Nancy shrugged and said "Oh, just some friend from school. I didn't recognise the box at first, but I remember her handing it to me now."

"Well, whoever she is, she doesn't know you very well."

"Well? She knows me better than you, evidently. I think it's very … pretty"

"But you don't ever wear jewellery…"

"Because all the jewellery I have is too big and obnoxious. It's like everyone always buys me massive and excessively weird pieces, and so I never wear them. I'd get on far better with something plainer." She said, as she pulled her hair out the way and fastened the necklace around her neck.

Peggy sighed but dropped it, and soon everyone's attention had moved on. Nancy waited till she was certain everyone was looking at someone else, then caught John's eye and mouthed 'Thank You' at him. He smiled.

…

Once almost all the packages had been passed round, there was only one left under the tree. Everyone looked at it for a minute, before Peggy reached under and pulled it out.

"It's addressed to you, John."

"Me?" Quickly he went through the gifts he'd already received. He couldn't think of anyone who normally bought him something but hadn't this year. Reaching out he took the gift from Peggy and opened it. Inside a box was a new magnifying glass, polished till it sparkled, and a note which read 'We can never thank you enough. This was only cheap, but we want you to have it. You shouldn't have to stop having fun because you're getting older. Thanks again.' John read the note through a couple of times, then chuckled, rolling his eyes.

"You shouldn't have let them," he announced to Roger.

"I couldn't stop them."

John raised his eyes, and Roger hurried to defend himself. "I'm serious. I really couldn't stop them. 'Sides, it was only cheap, and what you did meant a lot to them. And they do so much want you to like it."

"Oh, I like it. Just, I don't think it was necessary."

"So I can say you were pleased."

"You can say I was very pleased."

"Thanks most awfully, John."

Everyone else was looking very confused by this point, and the next ten minutes were spent explaining the entire business to the others.*

…

The rest of the day passed rapidly, in a blur of laughter and fun. There was only one other awkward moment.

This occurred when John and Nancy, eager to escape the rather stuffy room, ended up standing in the kitchen, where they had poured out glasses of water and stood, leaning against the side in a comfortable silence. Bridget, sent to find them by Mrs Walker when she noticed they had disappeared and wondered why, appeared in the doorway and stood and watched from the doorway for a minute, before calmly announcing:

"Are you going to kiss?"

John's face flushed a strange shade of red, and Nancy choked on her mouthful of water, before spluttering out a muffled "Sorry? What did you say?"

Bridget waved a hand up towards the cupboard behind them, and the two relaxed almost instantly, as they saw the piece of mistletoe hanging there.

"Well, go on. What are you waiting for?"

Nancy, realising the young girl was not going to go away, reached up to kiss John on the cheek.

"There," she said, smiling down at her, "happy now?"

"Yes," Bridget responded, but still hovered in the doorway.

"Did you want something, Bridgie?" John asked, and she nodded.

"Mother said to check you were okay, and ask you to come back in."

"Alright, give us a second." And finishing off his glass of water he placed the empty glass on the side before following Bridget back to the others, Nancy following behind.

…

The GA stayed late that day, Mrs Blackett driving her home about eight, and she said she would not visit the following day, taking the time to recover and relax in her own way.

…

Everyone stayed up later than usual that night, talking for hours. Finally Mrs Blackett rose and announced cheerfully over the groans that it was time everyone was out of bed, and if she caught anyone out of bed before eight the next morning they'd be sent straight back to bed, and that everyone was to stay in the house until lunch time, to rest up.

Then, as everyone climbed the stairs, John pulled Mrs Blackett to one side and proceeded to conduct a secretive conversation in whispers. It ended with her nodding in what looked like consent, and he smiled and followed the others upstairs. Mrs Blackett stood and stared into the fire for a minute, contemplating something, then also headed to bed.

…

*The magnifying glass is what Jack refers to in his letter to Roger in chapter 15.

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Hey...

So, Christmas! I felt it was now close enough to Christmas to post this... I hope you like it.

As regards the Nancy Christmas present thing, I debated this with myself for a while and then concluded that she would like simple jewelry, rather than elaborate. I think although her character is outgoing and a bit loopy, and although she protests about 'girlie' things like dresses and necklaces, she would appreciate elegance and simplicity. But that's just me, I'm curious to know what you think!

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northcountry: Thank you! Although I update massively irregularly (just as a warning...!), I do enjoy writing this, and will try to continue to post stuff!

Jacynthe Bleue: Not sure what psychological projection is, but thank you :)

Mjone21: Thank you!

Twiggy288: Thank you :)

constantlearner: I cannot ever see Nancy even considering herself with 'a Bertie Wooster -type', or John 'with someone who models herself on film stars and won't get her hair messed up!' The idea made me laugh though!

Emserai: Thanks :)

Pixel and Stephanie Forever: New Chapter! Sorry you had to wait...

BatFink: Mistletoe and Christmas in this chapter! Hope it answered some of your questions. I didn't list all the presents everyone got because a) there would be too much space for historical inaccuracy, b) it would take too long and get boring, and c) I don't have a clue what half of them would want...

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Thanks to everyone who reviewed, and please feel free to leave any questions or opinions on this chapter! Welcome to my new followers! And have an amazing Christmas, if I fail to update again before then...

Love to you all,

G4E