‘Sorry, I know I haven’t called you yet. I thought you’d be busy being Santa back home.’
‘Ah, you read the story in the paper then.’
‘I did.’
‘Well, I thought I’d give you a quick call before I visit a care home later to spread some Christmas cheer. How’s it going? Job done?’
‘Yup, you’ll be pleased to know I’ve been to the apartment.’
‘That’s brilliant. Well done. So, how was Marek? Was he shocked to see you?’
‘It seems he died years ago. So, I just spoke to his family, and they told me that they knew about Aunt Grace. I was a bit surprised, given the fact that I never knew about Marek until the letter. It seems like a big secret for her to have kept from me when everyone else knew.’
‘Well, I don’t think anyone here knew apart from Silvie. Maybe Grace felt guilty about meeting someone after Harry and, in some ways, punished herself. I don’t know why; he was such a bastard. Oh, I’m so sorry. That slipped out. Pardon my French. I shouldn’t have said that.’
‘What? That’s harsh. He was a bit miserable, but is there something else you want to tell me?’
‘Please forget I spoke. That was the most unprofessional thing I’ve ever said in my long career. Please forgive me. He was a lot older and bullied me in school; we never got on. That’s all. Sorry.’
‘He was a bully?’ I think back to how Aunt Grace said that Uncle Harry could be a bit domineering. What if he was a bully at home too?
‘Yeah, but never mind. Look, it’s Marek we’re talking about now. Not Harry. I was hoping for a happier ending than him having died.’
‘I know. Me too. But afterwards I had a strange letter sent to my hotel. It was from his nephew. He wrote, after I left the apartment, saying that there was some family secret he wants to tell me. But, to be honest, that’s not what I came here for. I’ve done my bit, and that’s enough.’
‘What? Don’t you want to find out what it is?’
‘No, not really. That’s between them.’
‘Oh, but I bet your lovely aunt would have wanted you to find out.’
‘No, I’m not nosy.’
‘You don’t have to be nosy to find out what he wants to tell you. Do it for me.’
‘I’ve done enough.’
I think about how I do not want anything to extend this trip for a moment longer than I have to and regret confiding in Dewi. I also realise the receptionist is getting impatient and needs to use the phone.
‘By the way, I finally got a mobile in duty-free. You can take my number if you like?’
‘Sure, I’ll contact you on that if I need to. Anyway, you having a nice time?’
‘Not bad, considering. I’m off to do some of the sights in a sec, but I’d like to see the castle today. I don’t think your itinerary is quite right. Plus, I was thinking, maybe I could get out of here early. Is there anything to say I can’t change my flight? I mean, I’ve done what I had to do.’
‘You can’t leave early. You’ve seen nothing yet. Trust me. And I gave you the castle at the end so you can finish up with a bit of a finale. Everything on the itinerary was meticulously planned, you know.’
‘Hmm. Look, I’m going to have to go,’ I insist. I can’t quite agree, as I am far too impatient for faffing about and taking my time.
‘Alright, but promise me you’ll speak to Marek’s family and find out what they want to tell you. You should at least hear what they have to say.’
‘I don’t know. Can I just have a break now and start counting the days until I get home?’
‘Oh, come on, find out what they want. You might learn something you never knew about your aunt, or Marek.’
I shake my head. Dewi is so insufferable sometimes.
‘Merry Christmas, Dewi. I’ll speak to you when I get back.’
