‘Done!’ he said. ‘One good turn deserves another. Now, we’d better make sure we swap notes so we make a convincing couple.’
I couldn’t think of alessconvincing couple: the handsome tech whiz with his royal blood and playboy lifestyle going out with a boring nurse who had one foot in the past and whose idea of excitement was discovering a new bedpan disinfectant. But Inodded and smiled; after all, if I could be helpful, then I would be.
‘What time does Sofia arrive?’ I asked, changing the subject.
‘Around three,’ replied Astrid, the familiar look of worry suffusing her face. ‘Greg’s picking her up at the airport. Oh dear, I do hope she’ll be all right here.’
‘Airport?’ I asked, confused. ‘Isn’t her mum dropping her off?’
‘Oh no,’ replied Astrid. ‘They’ve been for a very quick visit to Switzerland from the USA – where they live, you know – and they’ve put poor Sofia on a flight here while they head to the Caribbean.’
‘Are you allowed to do that?’
‘Apparently so.’ Astrid pursed her lips, her disapproval evident. ‘You pay for an “Unaccompanied Minors” service, then wave them off. Poor child, I hope she’s not too overwhelmed when she finally arrives.’
‘Oh! We haven’t told you about Laura’s idea,’ said India, then quickly outlined our plan for turning the house into an advent calendar. ‘Marilise is in on it as well, but we were hoping everyone might like to do a day or two.’
Amongst the excited agreement from Astrid, Angela and Greg, I sneaked a glance at Nick. The expression on his face was completely neutral, and I was glad that at least he didn’t seem annoyed. Suddenly, his eyes flicked towards me, and I flushed and looked away, caught in the act of staring.
‘I think it’s a great idea,’ he said, and when I glanced up, I saw that he was still looking directly at me. ‘Looks like we’ve been sent a Christmas angel this year.’
The heat rose again in my face; I couldn’t tell whether he was being sarcastic or serious.
‘I agree,’ said Marilise, putting her hand over mine and smiling. I smiled back, gratefully. ‘I think that Laura is exactly what we all need at Lyonscroft.’
NINE
We were all waiting for Sofia when she arrived from the airport with Greg. We didn’t want to overwhelm her, so only Astrid went out to greet her, then brought her through to the cosy living room where India had painted the advent calendar number. As soon as she was ushered gently through the door by Astrid, my heart went out to her. Slender and pale, with smudges under her eyes, she had the same thick chestnut hair as her uncle, but her eyes showed none of his brittle confidence, just terror. Angela, doubtless feeling the same as me, immediately rushed forward.
‘Come and sit down, duck, and I’ll make you some hot chocolate. You must be exhausted after that flight and it’s getting so cold now. I make it for your great-grandmother all the time, so I’m something of an expert.’
‘That is very true,’ said Marilise. ‘I like mine with plenty of sugar, maybe you do, too?’
Sofia allowed herself to be sat down in a chair and managed a whispered ‘thank you’ when Angela put the mug in front of her.
‘Do you like horses?’ asked India, receiving a tiny nod in response. ‘Oh good, I’ll take you to meet Firefly – that’s my horse – later today or tomorrow. You’ll love him and he’ll love you, especially if you give him a carrot.’
‘I like dogs, too,’ said the little girl, glancing over at Steve, who was in his customary position beside the Aga. I watched as Nick’s face lit up. I was impressed when he spoke gently.
‘Well, that’s Steve, my dog, and when he’s not snoring in front of the stove, he’s great fun. Do you remember meeting him when you came here before?’
‘I think so,’ said Sofia. ‘He stole Mummy’s glove, and she was cross.’
Nick roared with laughter.
‘I’d forgotten that! Yes, my dear sister was deeply unimpressed. Steve thought she’d brought him a new toy. I’ve got to think of some things to put in his stocking for Christmas, so maybe you can help me?’
She nodded and a smile crept onto her face.
‘I’d like that.’
Seeing that she had already finished her hot chocolate, I took my turn in making her feel at home.
‘Hi, Sofia, it’s lovely to meet you. I’m Laura and I’m here to help Marilise. I’ve only been here for a day, so I’m still finding out where everything is. Maybe you and I can help each other settle in a bit?’
She turned her huge, frightened eyes towards me and again I saw that glimmer of a smile.
‘I’d like that. I know where the swimming pool is, but Mummy wouldn’t let me go in when we were here before.’
