Make Love Not War by Margaret Tanner Page B

appetizing aromas, the meat was already cooking.
    She smiled at several people from work before Harrington Senior claimed her attention.
    “How are you this evening, my dear?” As always whenever they met, he stared at her intently. Never rude, of course, too much of a gentleman for that, but his eyes took on a contemplative puzzlement. Did he suspect how she felt about his son? Oh please God, no.
    “I’m fine, thanks. You’ve chosen a perfect night for a barbecue, Mr. Harrington.”
    “We have, haven’t we?” He rubbed his hands together. “If you would excuse me, I’ll see how the food is coming along.” He headed towards the pool area. No sign of Bryce. Perhaps he wasn’t coming. She didn’t know whether to be glad or sorry.
    A waiter hovering at her elbow asked what she wanted to drink.
    “Um, I’m not sure. What have you got?”
    “The fruit punch is nice, Miss. And there’s sparkling wine, beer…”
    “Fruit punch, thanks,” she cut him off.
    She accepted a glass and took a sip. It tasted delicious and would quench her thirst. Alcohol had never appealed to her.
    Long tables, set up at one side of the pool, were covered with various salads and other delicacies, a virtual banquet.
    Judith came up to Caroline. “Enjoying yourself?  The Harringtons always put on a good turn. Santa will be coming soon.”
    “Santa!”
    “Yes, it’s a Harrington Christmas party tradition. We always get a nice present.”
    At that moment, a voice rang out. “Ho, Ho, Ho, Merry Christmas, everyone.”
    Caroline could scarcely believe her eyes, Bryce dressed up in a Santa suit, had bushy white whiskers flowing halfway down his chest.
    He sat himself down on a chair and dumped his sack on the ground. “Have you all been good little girls and boys?”
    Caroline found herself first in line.
    “Have you been a good girl? Come and sit on Santa’s knee.”
    With everyone cheering her on, she couldn’t refuse even if she’d wanted to. And she didn’t want to.
    “Yes, I’ve been good, Santa.” She perched on his knee, resting one hand on his shoulder. She couldn’t resist the urge to stare into his face. His eyes were a clear, sparkling gray tonight.
    “Can Santa have a kiss?” he whispered in her ear, and her cheeks grew hot.
    “No, sorry.” She shook her head for emphasis.
    “Oh well, here you are. Merry Christmas.”  He handed her an envelope.
    “Thank you, Santa, Merry Christmas.”  She forced herself to get off his knee so the next girl in the line could take her place.
    “No, you can’t sit on Santa’s knee,” Bryce told a grinning young man who followed the girl. “Only pretty young ladies get that privilege.”
    “Oh, Santa, I’m crushed.”
    “Too bad,” Santa replied with a chuckle.
    Every employee received the same-sized envelope. On opening hers Caroline discovered a twelve-month free pass to any Melbourne drive-in or movie theater.
    Santa’s visit broke the ice, and everyone started laughing and talking as they got into the festive spirit.
    Several of the girls headed towards the pool. At their insistence, Caroline slipped out of her frock, glad that Judith had told her to wear her bathers underneath. Swimming was one of her favorite activities. Without vanity, she knew she was good. At school, the swimming coach used to tell her that if she took private lessons after school hours, she might make the Olympic training squad.
    Her mother couldn’t afford the extra tuition fee. She battled to pay the school fees for her and Andy as it was. If they hadn’t received a special grant from the school trustees because they were the children of a former pupil, they wouldn’t have been able to attend such a prestigious school.
    She dived into the pool where a number of others larked about. Gliding through the water, the liquid coolness stroked her skin. What bliss. No wonder the rich and famous guarded their lifestyle so tenaciously.
    She executed a perfect turn before heading back towards the