Maurice's Grande Event
“We must have a sophisticated Yuletide event,” Maurice announced abruptly as he descended the stairs. “Don’t you think my Dear? All the notable residents of Vandykeville and Waddlingtown will be expecting us to lead the way with the season’s entertainments.”
Margot and Nicholas stopped their sibling chat and immediately became enthusiastic about the idea. Maurice frowned feeling worried that his exuberant brother-in-law might make some suggestions he wasn’t comfortable with, ignored this interjection and said to Margot, “I was thinking that Mayor Waddlington should be top of the guest list; we must invite him before he gets dragged to a more common event like last time. Our entertainment and special guest will be the best you can find.”
“Special guest? Well you can only mean one person at this time of year,” said Nicholas. Nicholas enjoyed his walk through the woods between Waddlingtown and Vandykeville. As he approached Mr Grande’s home he was relieved to see a sleigh outside. Excellent my old friend is in he thought. Without standing on ceremony, Nicholas opened the door and yelled “Jolly, jolly Jolly. Welcome to the Twinned Towns of Sylvania my old friend.”
He was greeted by a deep laugh and a cheeky chuckle as his friends turned to greet him. “Nicholas it’s good to see you haven’t lost any enthusiasm. I am looking forward to spending another festive season with you.” |
“Yes a Christmas party, the children will love that,” exclaimed Margot.
“I was thinking more of a grown up event my Dear,” cautioned Maurice quickly. Nicholas chimed in, “Oh Christmas it’s so jolly, jolly Jolly!” Maurice raised his brows feeling doubtful that he and Nicholas would have the same person in mind. “I meant Mr Grande.”
“Yes exactly, that’s who I was talking about,” replied Nicholas cheerfully. “In fact I’m hoping to see him later today. Shall I arrange it for you?” “I didn’t know you knew Mr Grande!” exclaimed Maurice astonished. “Oh yes we go way back. Similar interests dontcha know.” Maurice hadn't realised his brother-in-law was at all musical and this revelation raised him sightly in his estimation. "Thank you Nicholas, if you could arrange booking him, that would be most kind." Inside Lawrence Grande, the brother of the celebrated concert pianist Lionel Grande, was enjoying a quiet cup of tea and a good book whilst his young son Leo played contentedly on the bed.
“I have great news, Lawrence. My sister and her husband are throwing a Christmas extravaganza and Maurice wants you to entertain us all.”
“I didn’t realise anyone knew I was here yet,” replied Lawrence feeling mystified. “Well Maurice does; he mentioned you by name and said you were perfect for the type of event he had in mind.” Lawrence needed no time to consider, “ Well then I’d love to. I'll just need to make a few arrangements so that all the guests will leave satisfied.” |
Edward Mulberry was having a busy day in his workshop. He was well known for being a master craftsman and had many custom orders to fulfil.
A knock on the door interrupted his careful measuring of a toy train, “Come in, it’s open,” he called. Edward was a little surprised to see a lion and cub in Christmas outfits appear through the door. The next day Nicholas went to tell the Marmalades that all the arrangements with Mr Grande had been made. He was surprised to find that a marquee had been erected in the Manor grounds. Maurice proudly showed him around.
“We really need a large and sophisticated space for the event I’ve planned. I thought this stage would be perfect for Mr Grande to set up his equipment.” Nicholas nodded in agreement and both bears smiled as they pictured how wonderful Mr Grande would look on the stage. |
“Hello, what can I do for you today?” He enquired.
“I have heard that you are the best toy maker in these parts and I would like to commission some toys for a party I’ve been booked for.” Edward happily agreed and the pair discussed in detail what toys would be best with a little advice from Leo as to what young Sylvanians enjoyed. |
On the day of the party, Maurice sat his family down in the morning and carefully explained his vision using diagrams so that no mistakes could be made and his event would go without a hitch. He had ensured that an order was made to the McFarlanes' new mobile bakery so that Mr Grande would have suitable gluten free refreshments; he'd learnt his lesson from the last time Mr Grande had starred at one of his events and was pleased that this time he wouldn't be phoning for a last minute pizza!
However he couldn’t help but notice that every time his back was turned something unexpectedly ‘jolly’ would appear. He suspected Nicholas of being the culprit but he was nowhere in sight. However by the time everything was decorated even Maurice was ready to admit it looked suitable for the sophisticated event he had envisioned.
However he couldn’t help but notice that every time his back was turned something unexpectedly ‘jolly’ would appear. He suspected Nicholas of being the culprit but he was nowhere in sight. However by the time everything was decorated even Maurice was ready to admit it looked suitable for the sophisticated event he had envisioned.
Meanwhlie, Lawrence had collected his order from Edward and with his sleigh filled to overflowing started off on his trek through town towards the grounds of the Country Manor. He’d not got far when he stopped for a little rest just as the Von Elkins were coming out of the village store. Erika shook her head in despair and berated him using his full name (something she only did when she was particularly exasperated with him) “Rudolf come away from that sleigh! You silly deer. How do you expect to be able to pull a sleigh at your age; you’re getting all out of puff and red in the face just trying.” And indeed his nose at least was beginning to turn a curious shade of red.
The sight of Rosalina cycling through town pulling an overloaded sleigh with a lion dressed as Father Christmas attracted rather a lot of attention and by the time they reached the grounds of the Country Manor, they had a few extra guests in tow but given their elf like appearance, Lawrence was confident they’d fit in at the party.
As Maurice was contemplating this unwelcome turn of events, Lawrence made his way over. “Hello, you must be Maurice. I was delighted to be booked for a Christmas party so soon after arriving in Vandykeville. I hadn’t realised my reputation had gone before me so it was a pleasant surprise to hear from Nicholas that you’d asked for me by name.”
“Oh yes, delighted you’re here,” blustered Maurice trying to be polite whilst still wondering how on earth his request for the renowned concert pianist Lionel Grande had resulted in a Father Christmas party act. He watched dejectedly whilst Nicholas led Lawrence and Leo up onto the stage where his children and the elf babies gathered round excitedly.
“Ahem. Sorry to interrupt,” came a voice from behind, “I’ve just got a little present for you Maurice. My way of saying thank you for being the first to invite me and my son to a party since my arrival. I feel very welcomed and at home here already thanks to you. My brother Lionel wasn’t wrong when he said what a kind and thoughtful host you are.”
As the afternoon drew to close and the children and babies had opened their presents, Nicholas sidled up to Maurice and said “Well I’m sorry about the mix up with the Mr Grandes. I’m still none the wiser as to why you were wanting a concert pianist Grande rather than a Father Christmas Grande at your party but it looks like you might have got what you wanted after all.
|
Seeing that Lawrence looked fairly worn out, Rolphe immediately offered to help him pull his sleigh to his destination and before Erika could stop him, had grabbed hold of the front and was beginning to tug with all his might.
Fortunately, before Rolphe could reply or Erika could add any more to her tirade, Rosalina walked by and offered to use her bicycle to tow the sleigh and Lawrence gratefully accepted.
Before the arrival of this strange procession , Maurice had been confident that his sophisticated Yuletide event was going to be a success and was delighted that the Mayor was in attendance as planned. However he was now filled with dismay, horror and bewilderment at the sight that greeted him. Where was Lionel with his piano? Who was this other lion and why was his grown up soiree being invaded by little baby elves?
At that moment Nicholas joined them, “Lawrence, you’re here!” he exclaimed in delight.
“Lawrence!” hissed Maurice irately to his brother-in-law, “Who is Lawrence? Where’s Lionel? You said you’d booked him.” “Lionel?” Nicholas whispered back. “It was Mr Grande you said you wanted. This is Mr Grande. Mr Lawrence Grande the renowned Father Christmas impersonator. Isn’t he great?” Maurice groaned in despair; his event was ruined but there was nothing he could do now. Soon the sleigh was emptied of its presents as Lawrence handed them round and Maurice was being comforted by a sympathetic Margot who reassured him that although it might not have been the event he had planned, everyone was having a great time including the Mayor and that he shouldn’t be too cross with her brother who had just been trying to help.
Lawrence handed the present over to a delighted Maurice who was overjoyed to hear that the famous Lionel had described him as kind and thoughtful and it almost made up for the fact that his sophisticated Yuletide gathering had been turned into the jolly Christmas children’s party that his family had clearly hoped for all along.
Look at little Leo there; just like his uncle! I’d say this party of yours Maurice turned out to be a real Grande event!”
|