A Bethlehem Tableau

… London, 1963:

Tea break. Two cups of hot cocoa steam like twin factories over a miniature village of hearts, clubs and matchsticks; cigarettes, aces and an ashtray; low diamonds, a bag of sweets and some spades.

Hands animate the tabletop tableau, bringing it all to life: the matron of the Bethlehem orphanage is playing cards with one of the nurses and losing. Stiffly, she straightens the spotless cap on her head, eyeing the flowing tresses of the other woman’s flame red hair. She doesn’t let it down often. It’s lovely. …