A CHRISTMAS DAY SPECIAL PART TWO

Toby asks Arabella about the history of the house and before they can say  " Can I have another mince pie " they find themselves....

in another room with Arabella giving them a lecture on the House and Estate.
" The first building on the site was a Monastery in 1283 founded by Edmund , Earl of Cornwall " says Arabella " in 1539 it became a royal residence of Henry the 8th......"

"Why have we got these pads ?" asks Zak
" She probably thinks we'll make notes !" says Toby in disgust! " She can go take a running jump!"
" Yes " says Zak for once getting quite bold " It's Christmas!"

" In 1643 The Estate of Ashridge was plundered by royalist troops " continues Arabella while Agnetha starts yawning and Callie can feel herself slipping slowly under the table!!

Arabella stops  and stares sternly at her brothers and sisters  " Are you paying attention?"

" NO" they all call back then laugh at the stunned look on Arabella's face.
" Come on Arry " moans Toby " we want to go explore some more !!Schools finished for Christmas!!!"
" Oh that's true " sighs Arabella quite enjoying playing the role of teacher " Okay lets put the pencils and pads away and go explore some more "
The boys jump up and leaving their pads and pencils on the table and  run off !

Some time later the boys are standing on a chair in one of the downstairs rooms, trying to decide what to do next!
" I know " says Toby " Follow me "

The echo's of the boys squeals of glee as they slide down the bannisters of the stairs in the entrance hall can be heard all over the building .

Zak nearly gets caught up on the Christmas decorations but manages to stay on but it's touch and go!

Toby reaches the bottom " Whoo Heee ! Lets do it again Zak " he cries in joy

"WHAT " cries Arabella " do you think you are doing!  Get down this minute ! "

"What if you'd fallen off " says Arabella to the boys " and then we would have had to call an ambulance!
On Christmas day!  and all because you had to slide down the bannisters!"
Zak hangs his head but Toby just grins

" And another thing " Arabella continues now she's into her stride " Why are you wearing that duffle coat and those glasses Toby? "

Toby moves a few stairs above Arabella " Because some of the Harry Potter film was made on these very stairs!" he says in awe " So I am Harry Potter !"

Callie and Agnetha are up on the balcony looking at the lovely stair case and beautiful stone work.

 " What a great place to live " says Callie

" But what if we had to do all the cleaning!" says Agnetha the practical one
" Oh no if we lived here we would have to have a cleaner come in at least once a week for ooh maybe an hour or two " Callie says generously
Agnetha thinks that would be a good idea and starts to rearrange the furniture to her preference and tries to remember which was the best bedroom, so she can nab it !

With all the talk of cleaners Arabella takes the girls to see Miranda the enormous machine that takes the wet sheets and drie's, presses and folds them , in the laundry.

then she takes them into the other room and tells them that they will have to fold all the clean towels before they can go home!

Their hearts sink when they see the pile of towels!

"You keep her talking while I go phone mum " whispers Agnetha to Callie.

Arabella goes in search of Agnetha to tell her she was just joking!!

 Agnetha's found a phone and told Mum what Arabella wants them to do.

Agnetha was not impressed when Mum just laughed and said she was sure Arabella was just playing! It was ok for mum sitting at home while they could be folding towels for years!!!

Arabella managed to convince Agnetha that she's not going to make her fold towels for years and gathers everyone together for a photo in front of the Christmas tree .

Callie, Zak , Arabella, Toby and Agnetha have had a lovely time playing and looking round the beautiful Ashridge house and now must make their way home , leaving uncle Roy to watch his TV.

I can see lots of interesting dreams for these youngsters tonight !


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