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A mysterious Fairacre villager receives an unexpected Christmas gift in this heartwarming holiday novel from the popular author of the Thrush Green series. Nobody in Fairacre knows much about Miss Quinn, which is a rare state of affairs and much regretted by the villagers. Apart from the fact that she lives in the annex to Mrs. Benson's house and that she works in Caxley, her past history and the amount of her salary remains a tantalizing mystery. In fact, Miss Quinn is a highly efficient secretary to a Caxley businessman. She runs him, and her own affairs, with terrifying competence. She is completely unsentimental and plans to spend her Christmas exactly as she wants, without fuss or family. But before the great day, her brother rings to say his wife has been rushed to the hospital, and could she come and cope with the children? Secretly dismayed, Miss Quinn sets out to do her duty. She copes as capably with the turmoil of her brother's household as she does with the office, and the regret for her lost Christmas is mitigated by the children's joy and the unexpected arrival of an old flame...… (more)
User reviews
Her brother, a country vicar, calls her in some distress. His wife has been admitted to the hospital and he needs help with the running of the vicarage and with his three children. Of course, Miriam, having a strong sense of duty drops everything and rushes to their aid. In doing so, she finds another type of joy at Christmas, one of sharing, being involved in the community and, most of all the warmth of family.
I loved listening to this story, especially the small details like the descriptions of the countryside around the little village, and the simple way of life that seems to have disappeared in today’s modern world.
Miriam quickly learns that taking care of three active young children is harder than it looks. Her quiet Christmas spent redecorating her cottage is not going to happen. Instead she is stuffing a turkey, cleaning up the toddler's accidents, and visiting the hospital. Maybe this mothering thing is tough after all.
This is an old-fashioned book with an old-fashioned setting, but I really liked it. What struck me as the most old-fashioned thing about it wasn't the plot. The question of working woman versus homemaker is still a hot one. No, the most dated thing was the fact that Eileen was in the hospital for an entire week with abdominal pains! It turned out to be gall bladder trouble, but all they kept her for was to run tests and let her rest. I was in the hospital when they removed my appendix and I only spent 2 nights there!
Sweet book with sweet characters.
Gentle Christmas holiday story set in the 1970's (I think 1975?). A nice, light quick read.