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A Midsummers' Carol - Final Part
by Clint Driftwood

Read the story from the beginning

This Dickens parody was the winner in the prose section of our Summer Parodies competition, and was originally contributed to the Fantasy Archers topic on The Archers .

Two hours later Aldridge got out of a taxi, walked to a house and rang the doorbell.
"Coming," a voice said from inside the house, "WonÂ’t be a tick"
Aldridge stood there smiling inwardly. The door opened.

"Uncle! Whatever....I mean why? Sorry.....errrr"
"DonÂ’t stand there stuttering Adam," said Aldridge, "Did you invite me here or not?"
"Well, err yes, I did, itÂ’s just errÂ…"
"Adam, the polite thing to do would be to ask me in donÂ’t you think?" said Aldridge.
"Oh yes, sorry uncle, yes please do come in, this way in here, have a seat" said Adam.
"I need to talk to you and your wife as well on a most serious matter, is she here?" said Aldridge, trying to be as stern as possible.
Just at that moment AdamÂ’s wife came through the door into the room. "I heard the doorbell Adam," she said, " I was in the kitchen sorting out the glasses for the party, who is.... whatÂ’s he?" she stopped mid sentence on seeing Aldridge sitting there.
"Look Helen itÂ’s uncle Brian." said Adam, trying to sound as if Aldridge was in the habit of popping in to visit them every five minutes.
"Please sit down both of you," said Aldridge, in his most austere business voice.
They both did so without any objection.

Aldridge continued, "This morning I have been to the bank that holds the deeds to this property. A bank from which you have borrowed a considerable amount of money to buy the aforesaid property, and at what I consider to be an outrageous rate of interest. I have therefore taken it upon myself to purchase your debt and you are now from todayÂ’s date beholden to me.

Adam and his wife looked dumbstruck at this announcement.
"That mean old beggar, IÂ’ll..." said Helen, but Aldridge cut her off short.
"If you will let me finish madam," said Aldridge, " I have advised you Adam that by marrying this lady here you have plunged yourself into debt"
"ThatÂ’s quite enough uncle if you donÂ’t mind!" exclaimed Adam.
"If you will please let me finish!" Aldridge shouted.

"Right, thank you," Aldridge said, when they closed their mouths and looked at each other not knowing what to do or say.
"As I was saying, you have plunged yourself into debt and as I was unable to do anything about it, business matters preventing me from attending your wedding. I have come here today to end this foolishness once and for all and present you with a long overdue wedding gift."
Aldridge stood and reaching into the inside pocket of his jacket he produced a large envelope with a red seal, and handed it to Adam.
They both looked at him as if he were completely mad, then they looked at each other.
"Go on then, open it!" Aldridge ordered.
AdamÂ’s hands shook as he did so.
"What is it dear?" Helen asked Adam.
Adam looked up from the papers that were in the envelope to Aldridge and then turning his face to HelenÂ’s he whispered, "The deeds to this house"
Helen fainted.

***

There was a knock at Susan CarterÂ’s door. Roy and Emma ran to open it and recoiled at the recognition of the person standing on the threshold, Emma let out a scream and they both ran back into the dark interior of the house shouting, "Mum! Mum! Come quick its Mr Aldridge."
After a few seconds Aldridge heard footsteps then Susan appeared looking flushed and a little shaken.

"You were not in work today Mrs. Carter." Aldridge stated.
"Well I did go Mr. Aldridge but it was closed, and I waited and waited for ages, honest I did." she said trembling.
"I see," said Aldridge, "Then you think it is right to come back home because I am unable to open the office on time do you?"
"Well as I say I did wait Mr Aldridge" said Susan.
"Then you had better take this Mrs Carter," said Aldridge handing her an envelope, adding, "And while you are taking that you had better take three months off work with pay."
"Pardon Mr Aldridge?" Susan said.
"I think you had better open the envelope Mrs Carter," Aldridge said.

The children, who had been eavesdropping in the next room, ran in shouting, "WhatÂ’s in it mum?"
Susan opened the envelope and gasped.

"What Mum, what is it?" Emma cried.
"I donÂ’t understand?" said Susan, "Its two plane tickets to America and a cheque for five thousand pounds!"

Aldridge smiled and took a step back from the door. He waved his hand and men started coming to the door. One brought the prize goose, another one brought two new cycles and toys, and yet another brought a freezer and boxes of food. Last but not least one brought the very latest wheelchair.

***

From that day on, Aldridge was a changed man. He took Adam under his wing and made him a partner in the firm and conducted his affairs in a decent way. He was fair to everyone and always gave to charity. As for Susan, wellÂ… while she was away in America with Christopher, Aldridge moved the family into a splendid house and never charged her a penny for rent. He became like a father to all the children, and Christopher continues to improve; he does not need his wheelchair so much now. The doctors say that they are hopeful that one day he will speak.

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