Title: "A White-buck, A Christy-list and A Wardrobe!"
Author: Beth from Oz

Disclaimer: This fiction is only in fun I do not intend to profit from it



"A White-buck, A Christy-list and A Wardrobe!"

It was the night before Christmas, and all through the house, not a creature 
was stirring, not even a wombat.  Beth turned off her computer and stretched 
her arms above her head to relieve a crick in her neck. It was late and 
tomorrow her children would be up earlier than usual with the excitement of 
Santa sacks awaiting them. She went off-line and as she watched the image on 
the screen fade to a dot, she smiled fondly as she thought of the 
light-hearted banter that she had just shared with Daniaele. Being almost 
midnight in Sydney, Australia, Beth had bid her husband goodnight with the 
promise that she would not be long. He rolled his eyes in exasperation and 
added "..and pigs will fly". She kissed him good naturally and quickly logged 
on to the Internet. No matter how long she had been using the Internet she 
could never get over the excitement of hearing the clear cyber voice state 
"You have mail"

To her delight not only did she have email from her many Christy-list friends 
but Daniaele's name had also shown in her Buddy Box.  It very early indeed in 
Missouri Texas where  Dani  had been up since five am with her three  
rambunctious girls. She had taken several minutes out of the fray to enjoy 
her early "Sweet Tea" while she  to checked her emails. Their chat had been 
had been cut short by three ravenous young'uns on the Texas end. The two 
friends had wished each other a Happy Christmas with the hope of catching 
each other later in the day. Beth  busied herself with perusing the many 
holiday greetings from  fellow Christy-listers. She had smiled, laughed and 
offered up prayers all in turn, finishing with her own greetings and  a 
forecast for Christmas Eve.  "Oh how I  wished that I could see them all in 
person. Oh and wouldn't it be wonderful to be able have a white Christmas" 
She lamented as she turned off the  overhead fan  and made her way into the 
lounge room where the Christmas tree stood. 

Under the tree were many gaily wrapped presents of all different shapes and 
sizes. Beside them were too large pillowcases bulging with gifts from Santa. 
Beth loved watching the reactions of her children as they dug deep into their 
sacks exclaiming in delight with their content. This was usually carried out 
at the end of their parents' bed with two half-away parents as their 
audience. "I had better get to sleep" she thought, ".. or they will be awake 
before I even shut my eyes.". She went down the hallway and stopped ato the 
first room. She turned the overhead fan down a little making it sound less 
like a helicopter. A soft breeze could be heard rustling through the gum 
trees outside. She brushed away the blonde curls that had stuck to her 
daughter's forehead with perspiration and kissed her lightly. She looked such 
a cherub when she was a sleep. She gently covered the little form with a 
sheet that had been kicked off earlier. She repeated the same régime for the 
boy who slept like a log on the top bunk in the room next door. She marveled 
at how big he was becoming. But smiled that he was still innocent and 
child-like enough at eight to believe in Santa.

Finally, she settled down beside her husband, who was already in the deep 
phase of sleep. It was still very humid and she could not bear to have even a 
sheet covering her. Soon the whirring of the overhead fan and the distant hum 
of cicadas lulled her to sleep. It was several hours later when she was woken 
abruptly by a cold blast of air coming from her open wardrobe. The briskness 
of the air woke her instantly. She climbed out of bed to see where the 
draught was coming from. It was not coming from the open window where she 
could see the still night beyond. To her astonishment the cold air was 
escaping from her wardrobe. She poked her head and arm through the door of 
the wardrobe and to her amazement she could not feel the hard wall that 
should have been at the back of the wardrobe, instead there was nothingness. 
She stretched further in scooping downwards with her hand. But instead of 
feeling the hard floor, she felt something soft and powdery and extremely 
cold. "This is very queer" she thought and on her hands and knees crawled 
inside.

Next moment she found that something hard and prickly was scratching at her 
face. "Why, it's like branches from trees" she exclaimed.  Then she saw a 
distant light not where  the back of the wardrobe should be, but a long way 
off. Something cold and soft was falling on her. A moment later she found 
that she was standing in the middle of a forest at night-time with snow under 
her feet and snowflakes falling through the air. Then is the distance she 
could hear the sweet melody of people singing Christmas Carols……………


Chapter 2  "Amber Greets Beth

Summary: Beth goes to sleep on Christmas eve to be woken by a draught coming 
from her wardrobe. After investigating it she finds herself in another world 
on the other side of the wardrobe.  

Beth pulled herself to a standing position and attempted to move forward to 
examine the tree in front of her. But in doing so her foot tripped on 
something and she fell face first into the cold powdery snow. Pulling herself 
up again she proceeded to brush the snow off her clothes. It was then that 
she noticed for the first time that she was not dressed in her short 
nightgown but in heavy woollen clothes that were very much like something out 
a turn-of- the-century historical drama. She stood still for several minutes 
transfixed. She pinched herself but found that she was not asleep. Panic rose 
in her, she began to breathe fast and her chest tightened and she felt that 
she might faint.

Suddenly from behind a tree popped  an attractive young lady of about 
seventeen or eighteen, dressed immaculately in similar garments to herself. 
She gently took Beth's arm to steady her and simultaneously held an exquisite 
glass bottle under Beth's nose. Unwittingly Beth inhaled a deep draught of 
it's contents and felt instantly revived. She turned to the beautiful 
stranger questioningly and went to open her mouth. Before she could speak the 
girl interrupted in her in an agitated voice.

"Hello Beth, I am Amber. I am so glad that my Smelling Salts have brought you 
back to your senses. I know that you must have much to ask but there is no 
time now for explanations. We really must hurry for they are all waiting for 
us." With that she grabbed Beth's hand hurtled her forward as they made there 
way through snow and forest towards the sound of the singing.


"A Whitebuck, A C-list and a Wardrobe; The Book Launch"

Summary; Beth finds herself in a strange land by going through her wardrobe. 
Amber is waiting for her and they hurry off through the forest.

Amber continued to propel Beth forward at this fast pace. All the time the 
Christmas singing became clearer and clearer, the varying pitches hung 
sweetly in the air. Beth could also tell that it was many voices that sang. 
She no longer felt fear but  intense curiosity. Too short of breathe to press 
Amber for more information Beth allowed herself to be lead and did her best 
to keep up. Finally they came to a clearing and in the hollow stood a quaint 
little church made of wood. The scene around her was so very familiar that 
Beth felt that she had been here before. Then it dawned on her. It was the 
little Cutter Gap Church that David had spent the whole series toiling over.

As they approached the church the hymn came to an end and there was silence. 
Beth again went to speak but Amber put her finger to her lips, guided Beth up 
the stairs and ushered her into a pew at the back. She slid in beside her and 
handed her a little red leather bound book. Beth turned it over in her hands 
and looked around her. Everywhere sat people wearing early nineteenth century 
costumes, they too clutched small red tomes in their hands. Examining the 
book closer she read it's title emblazoned in gold print

"GUESTS OF CUTTER GAP" BY SARAH- JANE ET AL.

Before she could read any further she was interrupted by a tall regal female 
addressing the people from the front. She had beautiful long hair that was 
caught in a mother-of- pearl clasp at the nape of her neck, the long tresses 
escaped over her shoulder. She had on a light blue woollen suit with a 
snow-white high collared shirt beneath it. She had a pleasing figure but even 
more pleasing voice and it was her voice that now drew Beth's attention.

"Now that our dear friend, Australian Beth has arrived it is without further 
ado that I would like to open the book launch of "Guests of Cutter Gap" Her 
speech went something like this;

"It has been many months since I had this small seed of an idea for a story. 
Unbeknownst to me my humble concept was to be embraced by so many to the 
point that it will now be enjoyed by millions thanks to our publishers Sonja, 
Cindy and Co. I would like to thank my Co-authors who are as follows, Paula 
B, Vicki, Daniaele, Beth, Anne B, Christy B, James, Jo, Sheila, Gloria, Jo, 
Dawn, Melissa, Amber  and Zachary. I truly hope that I have not missed 
anyone. I would like also  to extend my warmest appreciation to everyone on 
the Christy-list who has beared with us and encouraged us. Also a special 
thanks to Joan who has assisted us with historic information and spelling and 
grammar. Thanks also needs to go to Anne B who has spent many hours collating 
and putting the story together. Lastly for Lynda D, Debbie Ruff and all other 
supporters of Mr Darcy who refused to give up on him when most of the cove 
did."

Here Sara-Jane pauses for the warm round of applause that follows. As the 
clapping tailors off Sara-Jane continues.

"It is with great pleasure that I now ask Doctor and Mrs MacNeill to come up 
onto the platform to receive our gift to them for making this dream 
possible". 

A hushed silenced followed as all eyes were on the couple making their way to 
the podium. It was the one and same Doctor MacNeill that we had been drooling 
over all theses years. His roughly handsome face and unruly red curls were 
all as Beth had imagined that they would be. Beth stole a glance at the 
audience around her to see if he had the same affect on them as he had on 
her. A ghost of a smile crept upon her face as she noticed several women 
guiltily taking whiffs of small bottles that looked remarkably like the one 
that Amber had recently proffered to her. Beside Dr MacNeill was a pretty 
petite girl who was noticeably pregnant. She was familiar but not as 
recognisable as Dr MacNeill. It took several moments for Beth to realise this 
was because the girl was a combination of all the good points of both 
Christies.

Sara-Jane then presented Dr MacNeill with a cheque for a very handsome amount 
for the founding of the new  "Fairlight memorial Hospital" and a second 
cheque was handed to Mrs Christy MacNeill for the Establishment of the 
"Henderson Institute for Adult and further Education". These gifts were 
accepted by the overwhelmed couple with tears of happiness. All this was 
followed by a long and hearty round of applause as the brief ceremony was 
brought to an end.........

Title: "A White Buck. A Christylist and A Wardrobe!"

Summary: Beth goes to bed on Christmas Eve to be woken and to find herself in 
a strange land united to many friends, 

The applause faded away. Beth watched hesitantly while the other guests 
around her rose from their seats and began to mingle among each other. Many 
of them knew each other from Chrsityfests of years gone by. There were much 
embracing and warm salutations taking place. Beth felt breathless and found 
that she was unable to truly inhale deeply. She tugged at the bodice of her 
cream shirtwaist and felt something hard jabbing uncomfortably into her ribs. 
It then dawned on her that she was wearing a corset. Self-consciously she 
endeavored to sit up straight like a lady in manner of Jane Austen novel, 
realizing in doing so she was somewhat relieved. Being thus occupied she had 
failed to noticed the lithe fair maiden endeavoring with great difficulty to 
ease herself through the throng. Several people attempted to waylay her, but 
she single-mindedly continued making a beeline towards Beth. Before Beth 
could collect her thoughts she found herself in the warm embrace of her dear 
friend Daniaele.

Completely overwhelmed Beth returned the hug. Tears coursed down her cheeks. 
Both friends half-laughing and half-talking created an incoherent but joyous 
uproar. It was Daniaele who finally drew apart from the embrace, holding Beth 
at arm's length and exclaimed

"You are just as I imagined"

Beth smiled "And you are likewise, complete with Southern Drawl. But this can 
be excused, being found in one so dear! 

"Ah", she rejoined ": And you think your abrasive Aussie accent is exactly 
music to my ears!  I daresay that I too will become tolerably accustomed to 
it seeing as its owner is dear to my heart." This jolly banter was abruptly 
cut short by a new arrival to the church pulpit.

All eyes were now directed to the front. The person on the podium demanded a 
second look. She was a remarkably familiar woman who was middle-aged, rather 
stout but whose presence commanded respect. She was dressed simply in a black 
suit and had a very ugly black bonnet on with a white ruffle that hid a 
handsome head of thick brown hair from view.

"It's Miss Alice!" Daniaele pointed out to Beth. 

And so it was. As her clear voiced resonated over the merriment the many 
voices were soon quelled to silence as all turned to Miss Alice in 
astonishment.

"I would like to extend my most warmest greetings to you all." She began. "I 
know that all of you are curious to know why and how you have each come to be 
in our humble little Cutter Gap. So without further ado I will ask Dr Neil 
MacNeill to enlighten you." As Miss Alice made way for Dr MacNeill hushed 
murmuring could be heard amongst the audience who could barely contain their 
excitement.

Being more prepared this time the audience swooned less. Unfortunately Renee 
who had arrived late through her wardrobe was caught unawares and was soon 
slumped heavily against Sherry. Room was soon made through the crowd to allow 
Amber the administering angel of Smelling Salts to once again dispense her 
invaluable solution. . Neil continued on oblivious to all of these goings-on, 
being completely unaware of his affect on the ladies. He took the platform 
with great command and in his melodic brogue revealed the origin of this 
mythical world that they had all been delivered. 

"Ye'll be aware of ma tale of the Great Whitebuck will ye not"? Many heads 
nodded in unison. "Weel, Ah was out hunting a wee while ago and out of the 
great yonder Ah spy my old brother-in-arms, the Great White buck. This is the 
second time that Ah have had the privilege of sighting this majestic beast. 
Ah am considering shooting it this time. But he bewitches me with his eyes 
and Ah am transfixed upon him. Ah stay this way for several moments and the 
mist rises about him and then he vanished. Ah next hear the sound of bagpipes 
and Ah am all astonishment. Ah know of none in these parts that can play 
them. Ah stand still and the bagpipes are coming closer. The mist again 
arises before ma eyes and ma vision again is occluded apart from several feet 
before me. Out of the mist Ah spy the figure of a man not quite so tall as 
maself and less broad. But he is like none that ah have ever seen before. He 
has long unruly red hair and beard down to his chest and he is sporting full 
highland dress. He has these blue piecing eyes that penetrated ma being. Ah 
was completely flummoxed and thunderstruck and just stood thar with my eyes 
spellbound, unable to utter a syllable".

"Before I can gather ma thoughts he speaks and says in thick Scottish brogue 
 " Because Ye huv twice spared the life of the Great White buck the next wish 
in the world that is offered up will be granted." Then the bagpipes resume 
their haunting Ballard and the illusion that is before me evaporates. Ah am a 
left a wondering if Ah been sampling a wee to much of Bird's eye's moonshine. 
Ah have so many things that Ah need here in the cove that Ah couldn't make up 
ma mind what Ah wanted to wish for most. While Ah am a dilly-dallying I find 
maself transported to this book launch. It seems that a wee lass from a land 
called Australia has beat me to the post. Her wish was so earnest and the 
Fellowship of the Christy-List so strong that no wish a mine could have stood 
up to its strength."

All eyes were turned to Beth whose' countenance was flushed a deep scarlet.  
A cheer went out and those around her clapped her on her back good-naturedly. 
"So here ye all be finally united by your love for one another." "And as you 
see " he continued waving his cheque with a beguiling smile,"Ah have not 
missed out on my heart's desire. Ah shall have a state of the art hospital 
with me at the helm." With this he left the podium and again the quiet was 
broken with a merry mayhem of many murmurings.

Again Miss Alice takes the podium and her voice regains order. "Finally my 
dear friend I would like to extend my warmest invitation for all of you to 
accompany me to the Mission house where Cynthia, Natalie along with Ruby Mae 
have prepared a scrumptious Christmas Supper". With that a gay parade of 
comrades made their way from the church hand in hand in the direction of the 
mission. What ensued was an evening of wondrous happiness filled with music, 
singing, eating and conversing, like these woman have never known and 
probably will never know again till they meet in eternity.

It was very late when the time came for all to return to their wardrobes. The 
leave taking was emotional and lengthy. Daniaele accompanied Beth to where 
her wardrobe entrance was. With a final hug and adieu Beth crawled through 
the narrow opening. Instantaneouly she was enveloped in the thick humid air 
of the bedroom that she had left such a long time before. To her surprise not 
a second had passed since she had left the time literally standing still. She 
was again in her short nightdress. Her husband snored softly his arm over his 
face like an adorable child. She crawled back into bed and pulled her sheet 
around her. The hum of the distant cicadas and the whir of the fan lulled her 
asleep and she dreamed of friends not seen, Christmas's where it snowed and 
the majestic White buck. . For t'was the night before Christmas and all 
through the house not a creature was stirring not even a wombat.

The End