Chapter 4: Islandshire’s Christmas Tree Walk (2021)

♫  let’s put Christ back into Christmas this year ♫  Welcome to the Christmas Tree Walk, Priscilla! I was hoping you guys would be able to make it. Did you get your catering order ready for tomorrow?

Not quite, but Eydie stayed to finish up and insisted that I come and enjoy the trees before you close up for the night. (For the year, really, right?) It was only some last-minute packing to do, so I think she’ll be done soon enough to still get a good night’s sleep. I’ll tell her you asked. This cookie is just what I need.  ♫ I’ll be home for Christmas, you can count on me ♫

Sounds like you finally got the break you’ve been working so hard for.  ♫  my true love sent to me  ♫   Is it a big one? How many?

♫  o, bring us some figgy pudding  ♫   Hold on to your hat! It’s a Christmas dinner for ONE HUNDRED people! I guess it did seem a bit daunting at first, but it really wasn’t bad. It’s a traditional Christmas dinner with the family’s own recipes, so finding enough dishes to make and hold EIGHT Plum Puddings seemed problematic. But Eliot came to the rescue, as always. He and Bunty loaned us everything we needed. Yes, they do have many beautiful antique dishes. I sure hope the family is impressed enough to pass the word around. Want to do the Walk with me, and maybe we could talk a little? Great. Sure, Janie, I’d love a candy cane, too. Thank you very much.  ♫  deck the halls with boughs of holly ♫

♫ silver bells, silver bells  ♫   Lori, did you hear the wonderful news about the job that Priscilla and Eydie have lined up for tomorrow? 100 people!

Thanks. Yes, we’re pretty excited about it. We had a hard time finding enough cater waiters to help, but we’re hoping to train a few Islandshire folks to step in next time. You bet. I’d love to put your name on the list. All right, then, at the top of the list. [Giggles] Vesey and I are going to see the trees, now, so we’ll talk later. After the dinner tomorrow, of course! Coming, Vesey . . . ♫  rockin’ round the Christmas tree  ♫

Uh oh.

What’s wrong, Johanna? Do we have a problem?

I only have two candy canes left. How many do you have on your side? That’s four. And we don’t have anymore stashed below. Even if I could get someone to run out for us, where would we find someone open this late on Christmas Eve?

Oh, is that all? Don’t worry. I know where we can get lots of candy canes. Be right back! Hey, Pete! ♫  o, come little children  ♫

♫ God rest ye merry gentlemen, let nothing ye dismay ♫   Oh, there you are! Johanna is worried, because we’re almost out of candy canes at the Hot Chocolate booth. You don’t think anyone will mind if I borrow some from here, do you?   ♫  all of the children loved him   ♫

I thought you saw her. Okay, Eliot, so what do you want us to do? There’s nowhere to buy more, and it’d be a shame to run out at the booth. Think Mabel will mind if we take some from her tree? Okay. I sure will. She can’t reach the high ones without help, so I’d better get back before she brings the tree down trying. No bother. Glad to help.   ♫  Santa Claus is comin’ to town  ♫

Here, Janie. Let me help you with that. How many more do you need? No, I’ll get those way up there. You just hold your hands out and catch.  ♫  rockin’ round the Christmas tree  ♫

 Girls, I just saw the weirdest thing. Janie and Pete are taking all the candy canes off the big tree in the middle of the walk. Yeah, that one over there. Do you think they’re allowed to do that? Well, I know that Eliot would stop them if they were doing something wrong, but maybe he’s busy with Blitzen. Blitzen, the reindeer! ♫ he’s a boogie woogie reindeer  ♫ Over there by Eliot. Oh, you’re no fun. Did you guys see the Baby Yoda under the tree, sipping the hot chocolate? He’s soooo cute. But that reminds me. Back in a minute. I need a refill. I wish they had a large size . . .

I think this is enough, Pete. Thanks a lot for helping with the high stuff. I was wondering how I was going to get those candy canes near the top. Yeah, it is a big tree, isn’t it? Here, would you like one? Oh, don’t worry. I know where we can get more. Here, of course. There’s still one more side. Oh, Johanna! I’m coming! And you don’t have to be worried anymore . . .  ♫  on the first day of Christmas, my true friends gave to me   ♫ 

Janie, where did you get these? And why do you have tinsel in your hair? Where did you go?

Oh, it’s all right. Eliot said we could. You’re not worried, anymore, are you? Smile, someone’s coming. Hi, Mabel! Oh, look, she’s brought Sonja and Jerri.   ♫ what Child is this   ♫   Candy cane, anyone? I’ve got extra whipped cream, too!