Christmas Lunch

[adifferentlife]

The best way to celebrate any holiday is to share it with people that one care's about, Sybil is sure of that. It's why she's organised this, a luncheon for any and all that she's friends with. It's not something she's done before, and it feels very adult to be hosting a party within her own home. It's not something she ever imagined doing in such a small space, or without a staff to support her, or even before she was married with her own home, but those aren't things that are considerations here.

Instead she's let everyone know when to come and to bring something to share with the others. She's ordered in the main part of the meal, a roasted turkey instead of a goose and a roast of lamb as well. There's champagne and wine, and she has the record player Kaine gave her in the corner playing christmas carols by Bing Crosby. There's a small tree of real pine with strings of beads strung through its boughs and little elecric lights twinkling. Henri has helped her to decorate and do the cooking that she's tried, even if most of the cookies she made needed to be thrown our they were so burnt.

Once people start to arrive she relaxes, allowing herself a glass of wine once she's sure everything is in order and things are going well. At some point there is nothing else she can do, other than talk to her guests; her friends. It's nothing like a Christmas at Downton, but her second one here in Darrow and it feels like the Christmas it's supposed to be.

Comments

[adifferentlife]

"Thank you," she says gratefully, leading the way through to the kitchen that is now-crowded with food and containers. "I tried making sugar biscuits, cookies, this morning. I'm afraid it didn't work. I've never baked before."

[toanend]

"Oh, well," Katie says, surveying the mess, "that's easy enough to fix. If you have the ingredients still, anyway. They bake in no time at all. I can walk you through it." That way they can see where Sybil slipped up, and next time she'll know what to do. Frankly, Katie thinks she was rather brave to try it for the first time for a party no matter how they came out.

[adifferentlife]

"You're sure?" She's doubtful because it had seemed anything but simple when she tried it. "If you don't mind. Barely three years ago I couldn't even make a pot of tea myself."

[toanend]

"And look at you now," Katie says with a fond smile. Sybil has learned such a lot over the last few years and come such a long way. Learning to make cookies is an easy thing compared to leaving one's time and family. "You can do it. We'll just need the sugar, flour, eggs, and so on... A little counter space, too."

[adifferentlife]

"That might be the hardest part," she says with a laugh, shifting things about until she has at least some space and everything is out. Sybil stands straight, tying on an apron and smiling at her friend. "What do I do next?"

[toanend]

Katie jostles Jamie up and down as he cranes his head to watch Sybil. "Alright," she says, slightly singsong for the baby's benefit, "first you're gonna mix the flour, baking soda, and baking powder in a bowl. Oh, and preheat the oven. 375."

It's been a while since she really baked anything, but sugar cookies is one of those things that comes as easy as breathing, along with so many memories of growing up.

[adifferentlife]

"Oven is on, and flour mixed," she says proudly, turning to Katie with concern.

"Does he need anything? Juice?" Sybil offers it conscientiously, not having a great deal of experience with young children directly.

[toanend]

"You know, that would be great, actually," Katie says. "I have one of his cups in my bag. He's still using the little sippy cups, you know, but it's amazing, he can hold it all on his own now." Jamie watches her as she talks, something that fascinates her in turn. He's so small, but she feels like he's always learning so much. "I can put him down and help you a little more hands on then."

[adifferentlife]

It's sweet, really, and rather amazing, how attentive Jamie is. Sybil smiles as she gets a bottle of juice fromt he fridge - apple, leftover from the batch that she's added spice to and warmed. "Please. I think you over estimate my baking ability."

[toanend]

Katie smiles, fond, dragging a chair over one-handed to set Jamie on. As long as she keeps a close eye on him, he should be alright, and he doesn't seem to mind too much. Thumping his hands against chubby little thighs, he lets out a string of gibberish, but he doesn't try to leave the seat. Yet, at least.

"Nonsense, you'll be great," Katie says. She begins to fill the retrieved cup. "It's just another science. All you have to do is make sure the numbers add up and follow the process."

[adifferentlife]

"It doesn't seem like science. It seems like some arcane magic," Sybil laughs as she sets all the ingredients out in what she thinks is an order. "Or an art, perhaps. The dinners at Downton surely required some of both."

[toanend]

"Well, dinner's a lot," Katie says, grinning. She knows the feeling, though. When she was small, watching her mother in the kitchen seemed like art or magic. "One thing at a time and you'll get it. Alright so we have all the dry ingredients together, right? Now the wet ones. Let's start with the butter."

[adifferentlife]

"I didn't cook most of it," she admits, embarrassed for all that she's not attempting to take credit for any of the dinner. "Only a few of the salads, and the potatoes. I ordered the rest from a restaurant."