When Fraser had something
planned for after work he stood down from guard duty right at the first of the
twelve chimes from the clock tower up the street. On a quieter day, or when he
was in a contemplative mood he would stand and wait for all dozen bells to
sound before moving. Today there just happened to be a half-dozen carolers
passing by just when
Fraser felt himself
representing his country in front of this audience and decided to make a show
of standing down from guard duty. As the gongs sounded he slowly unclenched his
hands and brought them from behind his back to hang straight and ceremoniously
by his sides. Only then did he bring his two feet together and remain at
attention for a few beats. The carolers were impressed and watched with
appreciation as took slow, solemn deliberate steps from the Consulate doorway
to Francesca's car waiting at the curb. If he happened to hear one of the women
say "lucky girl", he didn't let on.
Fraser tossed his hat onto
the dashboard in front of the shotgun seat as Francesca drove off.
"Ray's gone to get Aunt
Rosa and Uncle Pepe," she explained as they
drove.
"Thank you kindly for
picking me up," Fraser told her, automatically.
"I can't believe
Thatcher made you work Christmas Day. That's so mean." Francesca went on.
Fraser defended his boss.
"She didn't make me work, Francesca. I volunteered. The weather is mild
and there are lots of passersby on Christmas. I thought it would be
appropriate."
"Mild, he calls this
mild," she muttered, good-naturedly.
They drove along in silence
for a few minutes.
"You sure are dedicated
to your work, Fraszh," she said finally.
"I consider it an honour to represent my country," he told her.
Francesca swiveled to look at
him and see if he was serious. He was. She started thinking and thought so hard
about the Mountie and his attitudes that she paid no attention to the live man
beside her as the drove the rest of the way to the Vecchio house where
Christmas lunch was waiting.
***************************************
After lunch the Vecchio clan,
assorted relatives and a Mountie gathered in the living room to sing carols
together. Fraser played the piano while the Vecchios and their extended family
belted out their tunes in loud good fellowship of the season and the lunchtime
wine. Fraser knew every carol and hymn, of course, and sang along with them in
his fine tenor voice.
Aunt Rosa demanded a solo
from the Mountie but he resisted. Finally he was persuaded to sing "Adeste Fideles" as a duet
with Francesca on the condition that she do the
descant in the last verse.
When they had done, Francesca
announced that she wanted to sing a special song for their Canadian friend.
"I made this up myself
while we were driving," she declared, "Well, only the words. The tune
is 'The Little Drummer Boy'".
She sang:
Come they told me
Pah rum pum pum
pum
A silent man to see
Pah rum pum pum
pum
He cannot move or say
Pah rum pum pum
pum
A single word today
Pah rum pum pum
pum, rum pum pum pum, rum pum
pum pum
Mountie standing guard
Pah rum pum pum
pum
Motionless,
mum.
In this unsung state
Pah rum pum pum
pum
You serve who stand and wait.
Pah rum pum pum
pum
“We stand on guard for thee”
Pah rum pum pum
pum
Your anthem’s words must be.
Pah rum pum pum
pum, rum pum pum pum, rum pum
pum pum
Someone honours
you.
Pah rum pum pum
pum
Motionless,
mum.
Fraser didn't think anybody
noticed the tiny traces of tears in his eyes as he listened, but,
uncharacteristically, he was wrong.