It was a dark and cold February evening in the quiet town of Oundle. Snow had already tried to fall but only wispy traces of white dust clung to the walls of the 100 year old cottage, The scene inside the comfortable home contrasted sharply with the winterish scene outside. Lights burned brightly and children's shrill voices were rising with excitement. It was Victoria's sixth birthday and her two brothers Kieran aged 10 and Sam aged 7 were just as excited as she was about the party due to start as soon as the invited children arrived. Victoria's mother came out of the kitchen wiping her hands on a flour dusted apron carrying yet more delicious goodies to the dining table. She scurried back into the warm kitchen where Auntie Jean was helping get things ready. "Well that's funny" said Mum "I'm sure I put 6 candles on the cake earlier" Auntie Jean said "Well I'm a school teacher and I'm fairly sure there are only 5 candles on it now" They both examined the cake and agreed "Yes there are definitely only 5 now!" "Oh well "said Auntie Jean, "Don't worry --here's another---that's it back to 6 again" Suddenly there was knocking on the front door of the cottage. It was the first of the children arriving for the party. Over the next ten minutes a constant stream of children of all shapes and sizes arrived. The girls looked a picture in their best party frocks - but the boys were as usual dishevelled, sporting cut knees and tousled hair, really looking as only boys can do!
The party got off to a tremendous start. All Mum's and Auntie Jean's work had paid off a treat. The sandwiches, the potato crisps and the sausage rolls disappeared in a flash and soon it was time for the big moment! Mum nudged Auntie Jean and whispered "Let's get the cake- it's time for it" They both moved off quickly to the kitchen. "OK let's light the candles" said Auntie Jean "Wait a moment" said Mum "I don't believe it. There are only 5 candles on the cake AGAIN!" "No there can't be" said Auntie Jean "I put the sixth one on myself and I am a schoolteacher and I can definitely count" "Oh well don't worry" said Mum "lucky I've got a box of candles here" She stood up on a stool and from the back of the kitchen cupboard produced a box full of brightly coloured cake candles. "Quick" said Auntie Jean "Let's light the candles and take the cake out to the table" They carried the cake out to the party amid a loud rendering of Happy Birthday and everyone voted the cake and Victoria's party one of Oundle's best ever!
The following day was a Sunday and in the early morning Father Doless was up and about early getting the church ready for Mass. The church sat in it's own grounds looking cold and sombre in the early February light. A sprinkling of snow had fallen during the night, Father Doless blew on his cold fingers as he struggled to open the tall , heavy oak church door with a large old-fashioned key. "What's wrong here" he said to himself "the key won't turn in the lock. That's unusual- maybe the lock is frozen?" He retraced his steps, turning back down the icy path which led back to the priest's house. He let himself into the panelled hallway and searched in his bureau for his second church key. "Well that is odd" he said. "What can I have done with it?" He searched around, beginning to worry a little as to the possibility of not being able to open the church for early Mass, Meanwhile Victoria's Auntie Jean was wrapping up warmly, putting on her bright red scarf and sensible sturdy shoes and getting ready to come to early Mass. She was still perplexed about yesterday's birthday party and the question of the disappearing candles. "I'm a teacher" she reminded herself ""I know I can count- I really can't work it out .Humph!" Father Doless had given up looking for his second key and thought "I'll just go and try the door again". He moved to the hall table to where he had left his first key which he had tried in the lock earlier. IT HAD GONE TOO! "My goodness" he said "whatever will I do now?" He thought "maybe I didn't bring the key back from the church as I thought- I'll go back to the church and look for it - maybe I dropped it on the way back. As he carefully picked his way across the icy path back to the church he thought" "This is very strange indeed" He got back to the church porch without finding the key and to his amazement the heavy church door was wide open! Who has unlocked it" he wondered "maybe Henry ,his church helper had done it? Father Doless entered the Church. It was still in darkness! The heating hadn't yet sprung to life and the church was cold and damp and EMPTY. He busied himself , switching on the lights and central heating .getting the hymn books and weekly bulletins in order.
The Church door opened. It was Auntie Jean early for Mass and flushed after her brisk walk in the cold air, "Good Morning Father" she said "Good Morning Auntie Jean" Father Doless said. Auntie Jean walked to her usual seat. To her surprise there were four objects, two birthday candles and two large old-fashioned church door keys sitting where she normally sat. "Well I never" she said "I'm a school teacher and I should be able to make sense of this" -- but she couldn't! IT WAS A MYSTERY!
She sat down and thought sadly about old Mr Factor who for years had always sat beside her at the early Mass. Sadly, because he had died some weeks ago. Others had stared to arrive so Auntie Jean had no time to talk to Father Doless about the four objects sitting along side her. At the time when Father Doless normally preached his sermon he had a surprise for everyone-- He said "NO sermon today but you may all have been wondering why the main window behind the altar has been covered in fabric over the last few weeks?". Well you will I'm sure all remember old Mr Factor who used to come to this Mass each week until he sadly died recently. Well in his last will and Testament he asked that a stained glass window be given to the church and today I am delighted to uncover it for you all. Father Doless said "it will be as much a surprise for you as me as I have not yet seen it" He slowly pulled the cord and the new stained glass window was revealed. It shone and gleamed in the early winter morning sunlight and the colours flickered around the church. "Oh it is beautiful" said Auntie Jean "But look at the design! Two keys representing the gates to Heaven and two candles to light our path there" Father Doless said "Let us say a prayer in memory of Mr Benny Factor who gave us this beautiful window". "Bless him" said Auntie Jean. She suddenly felt just a tiny movement beside her - a gentle breeze - no more. She looked at the seat beside her. The candles and keys moved ever so slightly and then lay still. Auntie Jean said under her breath "I know I'm a teacher, I know I 'm clever and understand most things but maybe, just maybe, it's time to retire"

THE END