One Snowy Christmas Day in London...

11/20/2014

My guest this week has been very busy leading up to Christmas. Susanne Bellamy has written two Christmas stories no less. Click on the covers above to see more details.
But for today she shares with us a true and very personal love story.

One Snowy Christmas Day in London...
There’s nothing like a wedding. Unless it’s a wedding on Christmas Day! The ultimate gift for the one you love.

My parents were married on a snowy Christmas Day in London. It was 1938 and the threat of war was known, at least to servicemen.

Mum’s mother incorporated her younger daughter’s wedding breakfast into Christmas Day celebrations—economical, but my mum perhaps felt a little cheated. However, the wedding and a brief honeymoon were achieved while my dad was on one of his rare and short furloughs from HM Navy.

Over the next six years, they managed a total of three weeks and one daughter together. One of my favourite stories was how supportive Londoners could be of their servicemen.
Mum had been persuaded by her mother to leave her work building aircraft for a ‘safer’ job as a clippie on the London buses. Unbeknownst to mum, dad secured a 24 hour pass, only to discover she was working that day. Hailing a bus, he asked if they knew which route/bus Lily was on and mentioned he had a 24 hour pass to see her. Given the pass included travel time, everyone knew how precious each hour was. Turned out mum was on the bus ahead of the one dad was on. So...
Dad’s clippie told his driver. That driver proceeded to bypass several bus stops and bewildered passengers in order to catch up to the bus ahead and reunite the young couple.

Over the years as our family celebrated Christmas, it always felt rather special that my parents had been married on Christmas Day. It seemed to me to be out of the ordinary and perfect.

On their 60th wedding anniversary, letters and congratulations arrived from many people, including HM Queen Elizabeth, the Prime Minister, Governor-General and Premier. Told you they were special! ;) They almost reached their 62nd anniversary.
Both of my parents have since passed away, but every Christmas Day, I raise my glass in a silent toast and wish them a happy anniversary. To me, it will always be their special day.

Excerpt : A Tuscan Christmas
Marco sucked in a breath and inclined his head, futilely seeking a glimmer of light, a glimpse of her face. In the dark silence, their breathing sounded loud. Had she understood what his ragged breath signified? Could she feel his interest thrusting against her?

Dio. Why was she not struggling within his arms?

“Signorina? Are you okay?” His nose bumped against her head.

“Sorry. I’m—I—please don’t let go of me. I don’t like the dark.” She burrowed her head into his shoulder.

Afraid of the dark— like little Chiara who could only go to sleep with a bed lamp burning beside her.

Impenetrable blackness pressed in from all sides. This must be her worst nightmare. He stroked her back. “I won’t let you go. You are safe with me.”

Warm puffs of her breath chased one another across his skin. Between them, and the rapid rise and fall of her chest against his, his body hardened like Carrara marble. Santa Maria, he had promised not to let her go but if she pressed any deeper into his embrace, he didn’t think he could refrain from bending his head and finding her lips.

Surreptitiously he eased his hips away from hers. “Verity, it’s going to be okay. Listen.”

“You know my first name?” Her voice was muffled but he felt her lips move against his shirt.
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Excerpt : A Touch of Christmas
As Starship Bluefire settles into orbit around Earth, Captain Andra Veluthian anticipates meeting her favourite human, Colonel Nick Madigan. Have his efforts to save the planet succeeded? And if so, will she lose any chance to be with him?

Knowing Andra’s fascination with all things Terran, Nick has planned a surprise for her. After all, it is Christmas, the season of giving. But when Earth’s leader and the Gravlarian captain spend time planet side, the temperature soars.
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6 Comments

Noelle Clark link

11/20/2014 12:57:21 am

Such a beautiful and poignant story, Susanne. War time romances had a sense of urgency. No one knew what the future would hold. My parents got married on 27th December 1945, just after dad returned from the fighting in PNG. I loved this post. Congratulations on your releases and I'm sure your parents would be very proud of you.

Susanne

11/20/2014 01:11:35 am

That sense of urgency meant grabbing every chance to live and love; no wonder there was an intensity to wartime romances, Noelle! And immediate post-war weddings and the need to reaffirm love and life in the aftermath. Thanks for dropping in :)

Eva Scott

11/20/2014 01:06:17 am

London and Tuscany! It doesnt get better than that. Your parents' tale is such a great love story.

11/20/2014 01:13:43 am

I wasn't conscious of it when I began writing A Tuscan Christmas, Eva, but taking my h/h to London was definitely influenced by my parents' lives. Thanks for visiting!

ElizabethEllenCarter link

11/20/2014 02:23:44 am

That's a beautiful story about your parents Susanne. Thank you very much for sharing.

You're right Noelle about the urgency and poignancy of war time romances.

Duncan's mother told him that during the war she had met an American serviceman and they had arranged to meet under the clocktower in the centre of Manchester.

As often happened in war time, times got away and it was three hours after their pre-arranged meeting time when she was able to get there.

And he was still there waiting for her. Sadly the romance was fleeting. He was killed in combat.

11/20/2014 02:34:58 am

Thanks, Elizabeth. No wonder people grabbed whatever moments they could to love. One never knew if or when they would meet again. Vera Lynn's songs really captured that, and also the optimism that was necessary to believe in a better world 'some sunny day'.

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In Annie's chair...