On Boxing Day morning, Elizabeth and Annabel braved the windy weather and went walking. Elizabeth had received a new pair of boots off her daughter and was eager to try them out. They walked for an hour along the coastal path, then headed to St-Leonards-By-Sea’s only pub – The Jolly Rambler. Elizabeth was expecting it to be packed, but there was only a handful of people in there.
‘What have you done with all the punters?’ she said to the barman George.
‘There’s a footie match on, I reckon everyone’s there,’ he said, waving a checked tea towel in the air. ‘But I’m expecting it to be heaving in here later. There’s a live band on, Lizzie, fancy having a jive?’ He shuffled his hips and the wink he gave her had Elizabeth laughing out loud.
‘If I stay here all afternoon drinking, I’ll not be
