Noel worked diligently in the kitchen all morning, relishing in the smells that he was experiencing for the first time. Amazed at the different selections of food, the different cuts of meat, the beautiful shinning fish, the array of herbs and spices and the multi coloured vegetables that sat like precious jewels awaiting to be crafted into something miraculous.
“You are a good worker!” Pierre said as he instructed him to clean and disinfect the work tops, “You are happy in your work no?”
“Oh Chef I am very happy!” Noel replied unable to hide his infectious joy “It’s the eve before Christmas, the most magical time of the year! A time to be happy and rejoice!”
Pierre laughed out loud; he could not explain why this young man had such a profound effect on him, on everyone in the kitchen. The mood and atmosphere had changed that morning and he was sure it was due to this over happy young boy before him.
The activity and work in the kitchen that morning ran smoothly with an air of ease, and lightness of heart. All kitchen staff were smiling and talking about their families whilst they worked. Daisy had come into the kitchen earlier, a look of amazement shone from her face as she witnessed the new joy and merry atmosphere that swirled around the workers.
“Wow!” she had said “What happened in here?”
The staff chuckled at her words, all knowing that this Christmas seemed different. This Christmas seemed lighter and easier to deal with.
“I think young Noel here has injected Christmas into this place!” Someone shouted from a corner of the kitchen, again everyone chuckled.
Pierre thought about his family as he watched Noel clean down the work space. His mother and father lived in Lyon; they were in their seventies now but were a happy couple. He loved them so very much and he was saddened that for the fourth year running, he would not get to spend Christmas with them and his two sisters. Somehow, Christmas had become a nothingness; a time of profit only, and although Daisy had done a wonderful job decorating the restaurant, there was always a lack of Christmas spirit around the Pyke’s restaurants. Not that the customers felt it! God forbid, Chris would be very angry if the customers complained, but the staff knew. Christopher Pyke did not do Christmas.
“Do you have family Noel?” Pierre enquired, “Are there special people in your life?”
Noel’s unusual face and huge brown eyes beamed out to Pierre, he knew how much he missed his family.
“Pierre, I am surrounded by special people! I am blessed.”
Noel turned back to his task at hand, and began softly singing “Good King Wenceslas” as he worked. As he continued his Christmas song, others in the kitchen began to quietly join in whilst they worked.
Chris walked into the kitchen whilst everyone softly sang their Christmas song. He felt a rush of anger build up in the pit of his stomach as they sang the song about the one place on earth he had last been with Annika.
“Shut up!” he barked “I hate that song!”
The kitchen went silent as their boss sucked the sense of happiness out of the air.
Noel turned and looked at his assignment, his heart bursting with compassion for this man. Noel knew his whole story, he knew he could not affect free will and he was determined to soften this man’s heart and deliver a shot of Christmas into this man’s life.
“What songs do you like Chef?” he enquired, as everyone stopped and looked at Noel.
Chris glared back at the stranger in his kitchen,
“Who the hell are you?” he asked, his voice rasping with annoyance, “Who is this?” he said to Pierre, pointing to the kitchen helper.
“I am Noel. I am Dan’s replacement.”
Chris looked from Pierre to Noel, but decided he was far too busy to get into this. He took a look at his watch,
“I haven’t time for this!” he spat, and turned to leave the kitchen, to enter the sanctuary of his cold office, “Get on with your work! And stop that God infernal singing!”