‘You don’t need to shout, Mom. Oh no, that’s terrible.’ I watch the fast-falling snowflakes drop down over the long, half covered, green fields out of the tall windows. Then, I see him again.
Dan.
I snap in a short intake of breath. He’s marching across the gravel with Red bouncing along by his side. He walks with swagger I notice as I half hide behind the heavy white drapes. Peeking around them, I can’t take my eyes off him as he crosses the grounds and then out of sight. Mom is going into such disturbing details about small slits above Alice’s knee being infected that I lower the volume. My gaze drifts on up to the night stars. They are bigger and brighter than I have ever seen in my entire life. They look like snowflakes, lighting up in the night. I can’t stop looking at them. This really is a magical place.
‘.?.?. then we left Mrs Schwartz. She was very tired and we saw the plans for George’s new café. It’s .?.?.’ Dorothy is still rambling on as I continue to half-listen but my ears prick up and I increase the volume again.
‘.?.?. for Dorothy’s Rise and Shine Bakery!’ George’s husky voice calls out in the background and my mouth drops.
‘That’s what he wants to call it!’ A crack in mom’s voice. I can almost see the expression she’s making from thousands of miles away – bursting with pride, her freckles dancing across her nose.
‘What? This is incredible, Mom! That’s what you’ve alwayssaid you’d call your bakery, if ever you were to open one. It’s your dream come true.’ I’m utterly delighted with this news, I sit back and hug my knees into my chest.
‘I know, pinch me! We’re going to buy some really cool fittings in this shop we saw on-the-line after dinner.’
‘Amazing, I am—’
‘Byeeeeeee, honey, our cheesecake has arrived.’ The line drops quicker than I anticipated and I stare at the phone in my hand, in a happy disbelief.
‘Well, well, well .?.?. dessert, singular.’ I can’t help but snigger as a vision of George spoon-feeding my mother cheesecake turns it into a snort of laughter. A massive growl from my stomach reminds me yet again I need to eat. I get up and sneak one last look out the window. I peer left and right, squint my eyes and then I see him again. He is taking Mrs Geraghty to a waiting taxi. Linking her with one arm as he carries her bag in the other. He opens the door for her, holds her cane and when she’s settled, he shuts the door, taps the roof and the car drives off. Bravely I pull back the drapes and stand in clear view of my window, but he doesn’t look up.
The feeling I have is one of shocked disappointment and I shake it off. I’ve no time for this nonsense. Romance is the very last thing I’m after! Swiftly I pull the cord and draw the drapes as my email pings.
from: Frederick Macken
to: Maggie Grace
date: Dec 19, 2025, 20.16PM
subject: Castlemoon
Maggie,
Your brief is to send me a detailed report on how you see the running and management of Castlemoon by this Friday AM EST. I need you to photograph their guest/visitors book for thelast few weeks (discreetly!) Don’t get involved in conversations about Acquired Finance. You are just there to do an article on the hotel as far as everyone is concerned.
F
I read this email with a nagging sense that my gut was correct. Something isn’t right here. Amanda never mentioned any of this to me.
from: Maggie Grace
to: Frederick Macken
date: Dec 19, 2025, 20.18 PM
subject: Castlemoon
Hi Frederick,
I’m afraid there has been some sort of miscommunication. Unfortunately, I don’t feel comfortable doing what you ask. Happy to send you a quick report of how I find the castle but I’ll be too busy writing my article for anything else. I’m sure you understand.
Regards,
Maggie.
I hit send with a wallop of the key. Cheek of him, I’m not his bloody spy! I take myself off for a hot shower before dinner, planning to wash that man right out of my hair!
TEN
