Taking the little square box from his hands, I place it down carefully. It has ‘fragile’ stickers all over it.
I sign his hand-held computer gadget and pass it back to him, then I take the box inside.
I open it carefully in the kitchen, making sure that I don’t damage anything as I know that what is inside is the most precious gift that Aunt Grace could ever have given me.
I release the two flaps of the box and pull gently at the contents.
The snow globe is released, and I place it in the palm of my hand. Then I shake it softly and watch as the snow falls steadily over a replica of Prague Castle. So now I know why Aunt Grace had a snow globe of Prague! All these years, I assumed it was a souvenir from someone who had been there on holiday. I finally know the truth.
‘Oh, Aunt Grace, it is magical, and I will treasure it forever,’ I say out loud.
Chapter Three
Looking at the snow globe almost makes me want to go to Prague. I sit down with it in my hands, gazing into it as if it is some kind of crystal ball and I am mesmerised by its magic. This snow globe is absolutely beguiling. I had quite fancied travelling to Prague with Craig whenever I saw a special offer come up at the travel agent. It always seemed like something out of a fairy tale with its big castles, flowing rivers and beautiful scenery. But I remind myself that I have a river right outside my door, and there is a castle not too far away that I could visit if I wanted to. In some ways, Prague might not be that different to Wales. So, you see, Aunt Grace, I don’t need to leave my country.
I am admiring the details of the castle with its miniscule turrets when the phone rings. I have never had as many phone calls as in the past few days. I may end up unplugging it at this rate.
Nervously, I pick up the phone. Holding it like a lethal snake once again.
‘Hello?’
I hope it isn’t Charlotte asking for the uniform to be returned urgently by post. I haven’t worked up the courage to go to the post office, or even ask Ken if he can help, yet.
‘Ms Edwards, it’s Dewi. Now, did you receive the snow globe okay?’
‘Umm, yes.’ I had to sign for it, so surely he knows I have received it. How much did Aunt Grace pay this man? I know he said that he knew her well, but Dewi must have over-charged her on the legal fees to be this attentive.
‘And what did you think?’
‘Well, I’ve loved it since I first saw it at my aunt’s house. It isn’t the first time I’ve seen it.’
‘No, of course. But Prague. Isn’t the castle beautiful, with the snow? Surely, you’d love to go and see it. For free, I mean… What an offer your aunt has given you.’
Surely, solicitors don’t have time to persuade people to do something they don’t want to. What is it with this man?
‘We have castles in Wales,’ I remind him.
‘Oh, but imagine the smell of chestnuts in the air… I believe they roast chestnuts at all those lovely Christmas markets. You can’t say it isn’t perfect timing that this opportunity has come along?’
Of course, it sounds beautiful, and I could certainly do with some money in my dwindling bank account but, still, the thought of leaving Willow River Mill for a few days is just too much.
‘I’m not really a Christmas person these days.’
‘I don’t understand that. Your lovely aunt was full of Christmas spirit. I always remember when the post office was open in Bethlehem, she used to go up especially for her Christmas cards to be franked with the Bethlehem stamp. That’s how much Christmas meant to her.’
Bethlehem is a little farming village not far from here, and it always amused me the lengths Aunt Grace would go to for her Christmas cards. Emotions come flooding back as I remember the fond memory. The post office has now closed, and she was so disappointed the first year she couldn’t post her cards from there.
‘Yes, well, I do remember that.’
‘A little Christmas cheer goes a long way. Things like that are what people remember.’
‘Yes, indeed.’
‘You know, I don’t mean to speak out of turn—’
‘But you will.’ I interrupt. It’s a good job I respect my elders, or I would probably put the phone down.
‘Yes. I’m sorry, maybe it’s the solicitor in me that can be a bit blunt. But your aunt was a lovely lady. A pillar of the community, shall we say. She did things for everyone else, putting herself last, and I just think you should do this one small thing for her.’
