In early October, one of the eldest staff upstairs, Mike Henson, retired from the office. He'd been with the company for thirty years and was presented with a set of golf clubs, meaning to play golf during his retirement. He was also given an attractive carriage clock. Bob Dixon and Alan held an afternoon cocktail party for him in the upper office to which his wife and family were invited. It was a special occasion and there was plenty to eat and drink, no expense spared.

An advertisement was placed in the Bristol Evening Post and after several interviews a young man in his late twenties called Mark Thompson was employed to take over from Mike Henson when he left. Mark was well qualified and came highly recommended by his previous employers. He settled into the office and he was well liked and respected by his colleagues. Clare especially, being in charge of certain personnel matters within the company, sorted out his paperwork and helped to settle him into the ways of Dixon and Halfpenny.

It was Clare and Hal's first Wedding Anniversary just before Christmas and they visited the restaurant 'Heart of Italy' with Angie and Matthew, to celebrate their first Anniversaries together. They enjoyed a wonderful evening, drank too much champagne and laughed too loudly! Clare and Hal also had a special candle lit supper one evening to celebrate their anniversary by themselves, Hal playing his guitar and Clare singing along. And...more practising!

Clare and Angie asked Alan what plans he'd made for Christmas and he said he was spending Christmas with his brother Philip and his sister in law Olivia who lived near Bath. They were pleased that Alan was looking better now, after his ordeal.

Christmas arrived. Hal bought a lovely fir tree which he set up in the Lounge and Clare was delighted. She hadn't had a real Christmas tree for a long time. It smelt rich and earthy. Clare dressed it with red and gold decorations and it made the house feel warm and homely.

They had a wonderful time with Clare's mother and the family. Hal was very kind and bought them generous presents. They told him not to, but as always he refused to listen. Hal bought Clare a beautiful, antique mahogany jewelery box. It was in fabulous condition and as soon as he saw it in an Antique Shop window, Hal had known it was meant for Clare, he'd said. She had a liking for boxes. Hal wouldn't tell her how much he'd paid for it, but she could tell it was valuable. She told him she would treasure it forever.

Clare spent some of the Christmas holiday teaching Hal how to shake hands, gently. He was to present students with certificates in the New Year and Clare thought it was time he learnt how to shake hands without crushing anyone's fingers, so they spent an evening attempting to do just that. Eventually, he managed it and Clare was pleased.

The special evening at the University arrived and Clare was pleased to see that no one winced when Hal shook their hands. Her training had paid off. She spent some time talking to his friends and colleagues and found that Hal was well thought of at the University. Several of Hal's colleagues told her how he had helped them, in one way or another and she was very proud of him.