Welsh Christmas Tea

We had our Welsh Christmas Tea yesterday, with a service of lessons and carols beforehand. I had been asked to come early and greet people at the door in my Welsh costume. So there I am, in full costume, about to pull out of the driveway, when two police cars come roaring up and surround my car, blocking me from leaving. All kinds of things were running through my head - like "are they looking for an escaped convict reported in this area, or what?" So I roll down the window and say, "Can I help you?" They say, "Ma'am, we've had a third-party call about a domestic dispute." I tell them there is another couple that lives above me in the house, but that I haven't heard anything unusual that morning. Anyway, I'm already running late, and they won't let me leave until they find out what is going on. So I go back downstairs to call my friend Audrey, who happens to have a beautiful, traditional Welsh betgwn, and would look much more elegant than me in my dance costume. Since I live way out in the country, she had plenty of time to get dressed and fill in for me. She had been planning to do so anyway, since I had asked her last week at our dance rehearsal if she would join me in costume to greet people, so I wouldn't be the only one in costume!

I was also one of the scripture readers, but I would be last in the service so I wasn't too worried about that. In the meantime, an ambulance had shown up. I guess that is standard procedure until they know if anyone is hurt or not. All the police would tell me was that there had been a fight, and it was now okay for me to leave. I did get to the church shortly after the service started. It was a lovely service, and the reading (in both English and Welsh) went fine. Lots of appreciative comments about the Welsh. During the tea afterwards, the story of why I was late provided much hilarity. Audrey, a fellow librarian (now retired), joking that the police found out about all those library fines I owe....

And here I thought it was so peaceful out here in the country!