Read Online The Willows at Christmas by William Horwood - Free Book Online

Hall’s sad festive history in recent years. You were quite right in what you said earlier — there is a malaise along the River Bank. The Hall was always the centre of things here and without it the heart has gone out of Christmas, and I believe in the Village as well.
    “I confess that it is not helped by the fact that we —that is Ratty and I — are bachelors, and so have no family with whom to celebrate Christmas. We have fallen out of the habit of it. As for Otter here, though he has his son Portly, he does not advertise the fact that Portly’s mother departed this area for sunnier climes some time ago.
    “I did not mean to pry,” said the Mole, much embarrassed by this revelation.
    “It’s all right, old fellow,” said the Otter jovially, “there are plenty of others about who are only too happy to furnish the Otter household with mince pies and suchlike when Christmas comes. That’s why I tend to be otherwise engaged at this time of year — fending em of! As for Portly, he is spending this Christmas with his mother, which is another reason that I am not much inclined to celebrate: I miss him!”
    “O my,” said the Mole who now began to see the complexity of the situation. “But at least Mrs Ffleshe’s power does not extend to Mole End!”
    “Mercifully not. But we felt it best not to trouble you with these matters.”
    “I thought it was because I had done something to offend you!”
    “My dear Mole!” cried the Badger, clapping him on the shoulder. “I am sure I speak for the others as well when I say that your presence amongst us this last year has been a pleasure and a joy, and we would be gravely distressed if you ever thought otherwise. As for your invitation to spend a little time with you over the festive season I for one apologise for my earlier reluctance and if you’ll oblige me by asking me again I will accept unreservedly.”
    “I will oblige, I will!” cried the Mole happily, looking at once to the other two.
    “We’ll accept as well if you’ll have us!” said the Rat and the Otter together.
    “I shall send you the invitations tomorrow without fail,” cried the Mole.
    “Good, then that matter at least is settled” said the Badger. “Now, Mole, it is our tradition, though one that seems very pale when set against what used to happen, to visit Toad on Christmas morning, if only to remind him that he has friends in the outside world. Mrs Fleshe is invariably rude, and her guests likewise, and poor old Toad is barely allowed to speak to us. We rarely stay longer than a few minutes. After that we retire to one or other of our homes and have a little repast and then go our separate ways, for our spirit is not in it. Perhaps this year…”
    “Why, this year you’ll come to Mole End and I’ll give you a welcome that will keep you with me rather longer than a few minutes!” said the Mole, almost dancing about with excitement and glee.
    “We shall be very obliged to you, Mole. Eh, Ratty? Otter?”
    They nodded their heads so vigorously, and showed such pleasure on their faces to see the Mole’s pleasure, that it seemed for a time that not only were the trials and tribulations of the day quite forgotten, but the bigger problem of Mrs Ffleshe was as nothing too.
    Soon the excitement of the day and the lateness of the hour began to take their toll. First, a gentle snoring came from Otter’s chair and then the sound of slow breathing from Rat’s. Till at last, with a final sigh, Badger rose and retired to the solace of his bed.
    Which left just Mole awake, staring at the dying fire and pulling his plaid tighter about his chin but feeling happier than he had for weeks as he planned his menus for the coming Christmas feast and remembered how long it was since he had been honoured to have such company for Christmas. Company he could not better, not better at all, except — except —”Except for Toad, for he should be there as well, and we must see about that’ said the Mole.