December 7th

From the Mouths of Children

Penny had a habit of creeping around her ancestral home and listening at doors and stuff. Luckily, she hadn't quite caught the infidelity of some staff members, but her little ears caught up on many other things that little ears shouldn't hear.

This was to be her very first 'Christmas party' appearance. She was only seven years old and was excited to meet everyone. Dressed in her prettiest pink party gown, her hair tied up with ribbons, she stood very still, trying her hardest not to get anything wrinkled, spilled upon …. or worse still, dragged through muddy puddles outside. If she ever WAS going to be allowed out there, that is.

Carefully holding her glass of juice, she waited patiently for her cue.

For her debut, she wanted to make an impression and decided upon a timeless Christmas classic ..

Good King Wenceslas

It was a complicated piece with lots of verses and choruses, but she was determined to get through it. However, over the weeks, she struggled and almost gave up.

Inspiration, however, came from a most unlikely source, during one of her evening explorations of the manor. The day before her debut to be exact. It was Parker, entertaining some of the staff with a rather inappropriate version of the song she was about to sing.

And now, stepping forward, right in front of the elite of the aristocracy, little Lady Penelope smiled broadly, waited for the live quartet to start up the first few bars ….

… and with a beautifully angelic voice …

Came out with ….

Good King Wences last looked out
Out of his bedroom window*
Silly bugger he fell out
On a red hot cinder

Brightly shone his arse that night
Though the frost was cruel
When the doctor came in sight
Riding on a muuuuuellll

*pronounced win - da to rhyme with cinder

Lord Hugh glared pointedly at Parker, who simply raised his eyes to the ceiling, bounced on the balls of his feet, clasped his hands behind his back … and whistled quietly.

"Do you have anything to do with this … Parker?"
"No, sir, not at all. I don't know where she got h'it from sir."