Holly had been supersweet and left me a gift and a Dairy Milk advent calendar. I was saving the gift but had eaten advent days one through fifteen in one go last night—and the rest in a five a.m. moment of “what am I actually doing?!”

British chocolate was the one! I was going to love visiting Cadbury World.

Ruby and Fred were coming over at ten—they were Holly’s best friends, and apparently they wanted to take me around the village, which was really nice.

Yesterday had been the first official day of #FestiveFifteen, but my best travel posts had only pulled in 177 new followers (not that I’d burned through all my data checking). Day two needed to be better. Much better. Options might be limited in Little Marsh, so I was going with “Cute British Christmas Things I Have Zero Idea About.”

But a noise stopped my brain whirring. Was something at the door? Was it…scratching?

I padded across the carpet and opened it. Colin. Holly’s dog—and he seemed genuinely disappointed to see me. Thanks, Col. Shaded by a reject Chewbacca—great start.

He waddled straight past me, jumped on the bed, and fell asleep on landing. This dog was a mood. But as he snored, a small, gold envelope fluttered down—and it had my name on it. I was so tired last night, I must have missed it.

I opened it up. A glittery Christmas card with a singing Statue of Liberty on it.

Hiyer Elle—if you’re reading this then welcome! I guess you’re here… And I’m there? Whoa. Weird huh?

Wow—Holly thought of everything.

I hope you found the advent calendar. You’ll have some catching up to do, but remember, don’t EVER open in advance.

Uh-oh.

Or some kind of Christmas curse will be unleashed?! (Like Iceland running out of pigs in blankets nationwide.)

Iceland? Wasn’t that a whole different country?

I know we went over it, but just in case…here is Everything You Need to Know About Little Marsh. Starting with the people.

Ruby: 10/10 in every way. Will probably change her hair at least twice while you’re here. Honestly—the Absolute Best.

Fred: Equal Absolute Best. He’s promised to bring all the Christmas jumper fun in my absence. Be nice to him (not that you won’t?!)—he’s a precious treasure who needs to be protected. DO NOT BE ALARMED if he attempts to have a conversation without words. This is normal. And don’t let him talk about Eve.

Obvs my mum. She’s as excited about this whole swap as me. Maybe more. Don’t let her adopt you permanently, please. She’s getting everything ready to move into Colin-human’s, so sorry if there are loads of boxes. Don’t let her touch my stuff! (Muchas gracias.)