‘Well, this time you must,’ said Marilise. ‘I swim with Laura every single morning, and we would love you to join us.’
‘We would,’ I said. ‘I’ll make sure I call you tomorrow. But for now, we’ve prepared a little welcome surprise for you.’ I threw a questioning glance at India, who gave me a thumbs up. I continued. ‘We decided it would be fun for all of us to have an advent calendar, one that we can start today, even though it’s notDecember yet. And we would like you to discover what’s behind the first window.’
She looked around and frowned, for a moment seeming to forget her fear and exhaustion.
‘Where is it?’
‘Ah, well, that’s the clever part. You’re in it.’
‘In it?’
‘That’s right. This Christmas we are going to make the whole of Lyonscroft into one great big advent calendar, with surprises for everyone behind the doors and windows. All you have to do today is find the number one.’
India stood up and reached for Sofia’s hand, then led her outside with me and Nick following. We all looked at the elegant front of the house, with several of its windows lit up, our eyes scanning for the poster.
‘There it is!’ shouted Sofia, her voice now full of excitement. She pointed to an upstairs window.
‘Well done,’ said India. ‘Now, you have to find the right room.’
The two girls ran back inside, with Nick and I jogging after them, up the stairs and round to the right, where Sofia’s surprise was waiting for her in her new bedroom. Once inside the pretty room, she ran straight to the window and let out a little squeak when she saw the wrapped present there. She reached for it, then drew her arm back.
‘Can I open it?’ she asked. ‘Or do I have to wait for Christmas?’
‘You don’t have to wait,’ I said. ‘This is a welcome present for you.’
She picked it up and carefully pulled open the paper. When it revealed the adorable stuffed reindeer, which was wearing a little red fluffy coat, she squealed with delight and hugged it to her.
‘Thankyou!’ she said, holding it away to get a good look, then cuddling it again. ‘I love him.’
‘What do you think you’ll call him?’ asked Nick.
I looked over at him and, although he was smiling, his eyes held a strange expression. If I’d been pushed to name it, I might have said pensive, or even gone so far as sorrowful.
‘His name is Reddo,’ she said. ‘Because of his red coat.’
‘Good idea,’ said India. ‘Do you want to come to the stables now? We’ve got plenty of time.’
‘Yes, please,’ said Sofia. ‘Can Reddo come, too?’
‘Of course,’ said India, and they walked to the door. Suddenly, Sofia stopped and pointed to her suitcases.
‘Those are mine. Is this my room?’
‘That’s right,’ I said. ‘Do you like it?’
Astrid had been busy since we made up the bed, and now as well as a beautiful arrangement of winter greenery on the dresser, she had added a small pile of books on one bedside table and a stack of notebooks next to a large pot of different pens and pencils on the other.
‘I love it,’ said Sofia, reaching her hand out to touch the pretty duvet cover. ‘Mummy doesn’t have any colours in the house, other than boring grey and beige and white, even in my room. This room is just the sort of room I want.’
‘Well, it’s yours for all of Christmas,’ said Nick, and I could hear the emotion in his voice. ‘And whenever you want to come and visit again.’
The little girl’s face lit up and she hugged Reddo tightly.
‘Thank you.’
‘Come on,’ said India. ‘Firefly will be wondering where we are, and we have to get a carrot from the kitchen on the way.’
The two girls ran out, leaving Nick and me standing in the bedroom.
