Gatherday dawned brightly, the sun hitting Lacey full in the face as she pulled her curtains open. She blinked in shock, it almost seemed like the brightest day she’s seen since her arrival the previous Starday. Outside, children were screaming and playing while little cottage windows sparkled in the sun.

  It almost seemed unnatural. How could the day be so bright, while Jinxy was still missing and she and Peter weren’t progressing. They’ve found so many little clues, but it seemed impossible to firmly connect any of them to Jinxy. When would they have a breakthrough?

  Entering the kitchen, she gave a shocked gasp. ‘Mathilda! What’s happening!’

  ‘Hmm, what’s that Lacey?’ she absentmindedly said as flipped an omelette on the stove. Beside her a stack of already finished omelettes rose up from a plate.

  ‘It’s freezing in here!’ Every window in the kitchen was pulled open as wide as it could go, and the kitchen and porch door were wedged open with a pair of Mathilda’s boots.

  ‘Oh. I’m just airing the kitchen out a bit. We can close everything again in another minute.’

  Lacey folded her arms, the cold wrapping around her.

  ‘And after breakfast we can get the rest of the house quickly too.’

  Lacey’s teeth were starting to chatter. ‘Sure, okay. Just a minute you say?’

  Peter walked in. ‘Morning Mathilda, morning Lacey. I see you’re airing out the house – what a lovely day to do it!’ he said with a smile.

  Lacey just shook her head and reached for her coat.

  ??

  Sitting down at the breakfast table, Mathilda slid a plate across for her and Peter each. Mathilda called the meal Gatherday Gingerfolds, consisting of a spiced omelette filled with a warm apple and pear compote and spiced cream topped with toasted pecans a sprinkle of orange zest. Two slices of homemade bread lay on the side and a pot of mulled-apple tea stood ready to serve.

  It’s spicy aroma filled the kitchen, mixed with the sweet smell of the warm compote.

  ‘Mathilda, you’ve outdone yourself.’ Lacey said. ‘How will I ever be able to have a normal plate of earth food again, after living with you?’

  Mathilda’s eyes crinkled in pleasure. ‘Seeing you eat it, is the biggest reward.’ She slid into her seat, lowering her own plate onto the table.

  ‘So, now that I have the two of you together, there is something on my heart.’

  Lacey stilled her fork. It sounded so serious!

  ‘You see,’ Mathilda continued. ‘While I am just a healer, and I may not be as good at investigating as the two of you, I can still look at certain facts and draw conclusions.’

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  ‘Okay,’ Peter said. He too had stopped eating and was watching her warily. Unease curled in Lacey’s stomach. These types of conversations tended not to go so well for her and seeing Peter’s reaction was making it worse. Mathilda was so kind, what was happening?

  ‘Number one,’ she said, ‘yesterday morning I came to the Healing Hall, only to find that my woodshed has collapsed. Number two, after some investigation of my own, I know that the two of you have spent the majority of Reinday night in the Hall’s attic.’

  Peter collapsed forward, bumping his head down onto the table beside his plate. ‘No, Mathilda, please don’t go there,’ he said, a red blush creeping up his neck.

  ‘Peter, it is my duty as both your loving sister and village healer to ensure that the two of you are safe.’

  ‘Dear Saints,’ he whispered. Lacey had a sinking feeling. Horrified, she began looking around for an escape, a change of subject, anything.

  Mathilda took a deep breath, steeling herself.

  ‘We need to talk about…’ She paused dramatically. ‘…structural integrity.’

  Peter lifted his head. ‘Wait, what?’

  Lacey could’ve sworn she saw a little twinkle in Mathilda’s eye, but the nurse just kept going deadpan as if her whole lead up had been perfectly natural.

  ‘I’m worried about the Healing Hall. The lean-to’s collapse might seem harmless, but it was anchored into the same beam that supports the attic.

  We haven’t even seen our heaviest snowstorms of the season yet. If the overhang couldn’t handle this weight, I’m worried that the rest might be strained as well. I want to check every wall and rafter before we have another collapse. And… I’ll need some help to do it.’

  ‘Oh Gods, Mathilda,’ Lacey said. ‘It wasn’t your beams, it was me.’

  ‘You? What do you mean?’ she asked with a concerned frown.

  ‘No Lacey, don’t do it,’ Peter said from across the table. ‘Mathilda, it’s not the beams. It was my fault.’

  Lacey’s heart swelled a bit at his words. She couldn’t remember anyone ever be willing to take the blame for her before.

  ‘Thank you, Peter, that’s very kind of you,’ she said. ‘But, Mathilda it was me. I wanted a view of Albyrne’s house, so I was trying to climb onto the lean-to when it collapsed.’

  Mathilda’s face went white. ‘Lacey, do you know how dangerous that was? In the middle of winter?’ Switching to Peter she continued, ‘And you, why didn’t you stop her? She’s my guest, for goodness sake! I’d never be able to have anyone over again if something happened to my friend!’

  Friend, the word echoed in Lacey’s ears.

  Peter didn’t try to defend himself. ‘I’m sorry Mathilda. You’re right, I should’ve stopped her.’

  And someone willing to cover for her. She didn’t have just one friend, she had two.

  But it was Mathilda’s fierce protectiveness that undid her.

  ‘I love you, Mathilda,’ the words spilled out with a smile.

  Mathilda looked at her with pleased surprise. ‘I love you too, Lacey. And if I ever catch you climbing a roof in winter again, I’ll tie you to a bed in the Healing Hall myself.’

  ‘Hey, wait a minute, what about me?’ Peter complained.

  ‘Hush you,’ Mathilda said. ‘Us girls are talking now. You can come help me inspect the Healing Hall’s beams later, just to be extra sure all’s well. And I expect my lean-to to be back up as soon as spring arrives.’ She gave them both a mock-stern stare.

  ??

  Lacey and Peter walked out of Mathilda’s cottage side by side. Worry about Jinxy still hung over her, but the morning breakfast with Mathilda had proven to be the precious balm Lacey’s soul had needed. She felt safe, nurtured, and loved. So much so, that she was starting to fear the moment she might return to Earth. Her house, her life, seemed so empty now, in comparison to what she had gained in just six days in Santa’s village.

  She looked at Peter’s profile as he walked. It felt more and more that they may have something together as well. Maybe even something more than friendship. She was beginning to feel less afraid of the thought. She smiled. She was ready to continue the search for Jinxy.

  ‘Shall we go see if we can find Albyrne?’ she asked.

  ‘Not yet,’ Peter responded. ‘His meeting with Santa would’ve run late into last night, so I doubt he’s up yet.’

  He came to a stop, looking out over the beginning of the Wasteland. ‘I was thinking we should start here today.’

  ??????

  What about you?

  If you could put together the perfect Christmas breakfast, what would you choose – and why?

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