Page 1 of So This is Christmas

FIFTY YEARS AGO

Dear Bea,

Wishing you a very merry Christmas from North Yorkshire.

This year I decided that with both you and me now living in England and both of us recently discussing how we wanted to improve our grasp of the language, why not write our traditional Christmas letter in English.

So here it is – are you surprised this letter isn’t written in German?

I don’t know about you but I’m glad we learnt English at school in Vienna when we were young girls.

It gave me such a head start when I came here to be with Walter.

How am I doing with my writing abilities? I hope I’m doing all right although I am cheating a little bit because Walter is overseeing this to make sure there aren’t too many mistakes.

I miss you so much since we moved up here to Yorkshire.

When we were living closer it was wonderful to meet for lunch and while away the hours talking and laughing, but letters across the miles will have to do for now.

I miss the vibe of London in some ways but honestly the scenery here is stunning enough that it makes me happy to be able to explore somewhere new.

What do you think of the notepaper I’m using?

I thought it festive with the holly around the border, and the matching stamp for the seal on the back of the envelope was a find at a local garden centre.

They only had red ink pads though. I’ve no idea where my other ink pads in the darker colours are – a few things seem to have gone astray in our move.

Walter and I are now living in a darling little cottage we bought a couple of weeks ago.

It’s nice to be out of our rented flat and in a place of our own.

You would love the cottage, Bea, especially the cosy fireplace with the garland I’ve put across the mantelpiece and the candles in lanterns to each side of the hearth.

Walter is going to make glühwein tomorrow – it’s known as mulled wine here – and we’re going to enjoy it while we decorate the Christmas tree which we’re going to find at a local farm.

The guest house we are managing together seems to be fully booked despite summer having been and gone.

It’s all dressed up for Christmas now. To be honest the place needs a bit of updating but as that’s not within our control, Walter and I are relying on our warmth and generosity to keep our guests happy, as well as Walter’s glühwein and my cooking – my Wiener schnitzel has gone down wonders, guests absolutely love it.

I’m so pleased you got to go to Vienna in the summer.

I must admit I was jealous as it feels like forever since Walter and I paid a visit there what with work being so busy.

I miss my parents and our beloved city so much.

The cottage is helping me to feel settled here in England but I think some day I would like to go back to my roots.

I guess you never know what the future holds.

Can you believe I’ve been in the hotel business for almost ten years?

We celebrated last week. Walter took me out for a fancy dinner and we even had a bottle of champagne – I seem to have a real taste for it.

Thank goodness he persuaded me to apply for a job as a chambermaid when I first arrived in England, otherwise I’d be doing secretarial work and I don’t think I’d be enjoying it anywhere near as much.

Walter admitted he’d secretly wanted me close by when I first arrived from Vienna and I really can’t complain – it’s a dream come true to be working with the man I love even though we bicker sometimes, although doesn’t everyone?

Please say yes or I’ll feel like a total failure!

I hope you come up to visit soon – say you will? Our letters haven’t been very consistent over this last year, but I’m glad we’ve never let the tradition of the Christmas letter fade away. Promise me we’ll still be writing these when we’re old and grey.

With lots of love,

Greta x

* * *

The Following Year

Dear Greta,

Season’s greetings all the way from London.

I thought I’d write this while it’s still November and get in first for once – you always seem to manage it and I never do.

I’m glad we’re writing all our letters in English now. Since you started the habit and I’ve sent a few your way during the year, my written skills are so much better.

What a delight it was to spend a month with you in the summer at your beautiful little cottage.

You’ve made it a real home, it’s gorgeous.

It’s so English too with the wisteria around the door welcoming your visitors.

I haven’t had any time off since then – I’ve been travelling around the south of the country with the Brewsters and looking after the children – but I do hope I get to visit you again soon.

My job is going well. The children under my care are well behaved and a lot of fun.

Sometimes I wish their parents would spend more time with them rather than putting all their focus into their business, but that’s not for me to say, and I’m grateful I get to be with them all.

Last week we went to London Zoo and had a great time.

Isobel, the youngest at three, was fascinated with the penguins whereas Hugh, Dora and Millie were obsessed with the monkeys.

I was planning to visit Vienna for Christmas but the Brewsters have offered me extra money to cover the festive period during which they have several engagements.

I don’t mind, I shall have the children making mince pies and Christmas biscuits, and I plan to take them to see the light displays nearby too.

Anthony has already said he’ll come along which will be wonderful.

Talking of Anthony, I have some news… He proposed!

I’m getting married, Greta. We’ve only been dating since the spring but he says I’m the one.

I hope that you and Walter will come to the wedding – we’re going to have it in a little church near his family’s home down in Devon.

It’s a long way from North Yorkshire but I will give you plenty of notice.

I’m so happy, Greta. I never thought I’d find anyone like Anthony and I can’t wait for you to meet him. Maybe at Easter we could arrange getting together either here or there. I don’t mind, I just want to see my best friend.

Christmas will be upon us before we know it.

Now that I’m going to be here for the festive period, Anthony has rearranged his own holidays so that we can go to Vienna together in the new year.

As well as seeing family I can’t wait to show him the city.

I miss it a lot, as I know you do. I will take photographs for you of the big tree and any of the markets that are still going.

You won’t be there but I’ll have a glühwein and be thinking of my best friend and all the memories we have shared over the years.

I must go now. I want to post this before it’s time to go and collect the two eldest children from school.

Say hello to Walter.

Sending you much love,

Bea x