‘Now, can I arrange a taxi for you? I want to ensure this all goes smoothly, as per your aunt’s request.’
‘I suppose I will need a way to get to the airport.’ Although, the thought of a taxi pulling up and taking me away from here is dreadful.
‘Right, well, she has incredibly generously arranged the money for a car to take you directly to the airport to make sure you get there without any hassle. So, leave me sort all the arrangements; all you have to do is get in the car. I know you’re struggling with this so I’m going to help you every step of the way.’
‘Sure.’
‘You know, you could try some enthusiasm, Ms Edwards. Most people going on an all-expenses-paid trip are ecstatic. Come on, time to drum up some excitement and get packing. It’ll be cold this time of year, don’t forget.’
Oh, what have I got myself into here?
As soon as I get off the phone, I return to my mission of checking on the pond and plan to look for the robin. I tell myself that if he is there then it is a sign that I must go to Prague. If he is not there then it is a sign that I should stay home for Christmas. I choose it this way around as I know full well that there has been no sign of it since I returned from town. So, I already know the answer. I’ll make something up to Dewi. I obviously won’t tell him the robin sighting was what contributed to my decision.
But, as I walk around the corner of the patio, there he is, staring straight up at me.
Tweet tweet. He looks up at me as if to say, ‘Off you go. You’re going to Prague.’
I roll my eyes and go back indoors. I can’t leave my fate up to a robin; I will have to think of some excuse. I am so stressed about all of this that I am desperately in need of chocolate, so I reach for my advent calendar. I have now opened most of the little windows. There aren’t many chocolates left. It seems the countdown has begun, not only for Christmas but also for my petrifying trip to Prague.
Chapter Six
Over the past two weeks, I have googled everything from ‘how can I avoid going somewhere?’ to ‘how can I learn to say no to things?’ and ‘how do you tell someone firmly that you don’t want to do something?’ There was lots of well-meaning advice online but none of it will work with Dewi. He is not taking no for an answer. After all, he was warned I would try to wriggle my way out of this trip, and Aunt Grace was perfectly correct in her assumption.
When I open today’s window on the advent calendar, it is a stark reminder that the day has arrived. It is finally Prague Day, and nothing I have said to Dewi has made any difference whatsoever. Although secretly, as much as I fought against this trip, I realise that nobody can force you to do something against your will, and there is the teeniest bit of me that is curious about what would happen if I went to Prague. Which is probably why I have only put up a half-hearted fight. Just why did December have to pass by so quickly?
I need all the chocolate I can get, so I open the four remaining windows and stuff every last chocolate from the advent calendar into my mouth.
Oh goodness, I really don’t want to leave the mill for a few days, and I feel half resentful towards Aunt Grace and her annoyingly cheery solicitor. The skin around my nail starts to bleed, as I bite at it for the millionth time. No matter how hard I try to stop, I can’t. It is a nervous habit I have when stress becomes too much as my mind throws a barrage of worst-case scenarios at me. What if I can’t cope being away? What if something happens to me? What if I can’t find Marek’s apartment? There are so many situations that could arise.
I would do anything to take my mind off the thought of travelling. So, I go and check on the birds and top up the bird feeders to make sure they have enough while I am away. Then I hear a car coming up the drive and see a flash of red from where I am standing. It must be Ken’s post van. I wonder if he has some last-minute Christmas cards for me; I have only received a handful so far. Then again, I haven’t sent any, which makes me realise that I must start making more of an effort with people. Another reason Aunt Grace felt I needed this mission.
I head round to the front door to say hello to Ken, who has his Santa hat on again today.
‘Morning, isn’t it today you go to Prague?’
‘Yes, it is.’
‘You’re not still gloomy about this magnificent trip of yours, are you?’
‘Well, you know…’
‘What are you worried about? It’s not like you can never come back. Do your trip, have a lovely time and make memories. I bet you’ll even miss it there by the time you return.’
‘Oh, I’m pretty sure I won’t miss anything when I get back. But I’ll certainly miss this place whilst I’m away.’
I look up at the deciduous wisteria. It may have lost its colour for the winter, but I still love the way it climbs towards the roof at the front of the mill and will even miss the way I admire it when I step outside.
Ken hands over the mail and I take it from him. I notice some bills on the top and am reminded that just because it is practically Christmas, they don’t stop arriving. It is a reminder that I have no choice but to go to Prague and deliver my message if I am to remain living here.
‘Looks like you have a Christmas present from someone,’ says Ken, as he points at a parcel under all the bills.
‘Goodness, I don’t know who would send me a present.’
I look at the Christmas stamps with a donkey nativity scene. I notice the writing on the squishy parcel looks slightly familiar.
‘Well, I wish you the most wonderful Christmas, and rest assured, I’ll keep an eye on the mill if I come out here with any post. I’ll even make sure the birds are okay, so you’ve nothing to worry about.’
‘That means a lot, thank you. Merry Christmas, Ken.’
