I felt my shoulders relax. I don’t think I’d realized how nervous I was that she wouldn’t have a good time.

What are your plans for tomorrow?

Explore Alpine Peaks. I’m checking out the lights. And baking. Biscuits. Cookies?! Whatever you call them. And lunch at Scream If You Want to Go Pasta, which is apparently…

LEGENDARY!

Legendary.

There was a knock at the door. I dropped my phone and sat up, brushing my hair down, trying to look a bit more presentable. “Hello?”

Mrs. Judd poked her head around the door, wearing the fluffiest dressing gown.

“I thought I heard you up.” She pushed her glasses up her nose, everything looking slightly at the wrong angle.

I gave her a big, dorky wave. “Hope I didn’t wake you.” Colin raised his left eyebrow in disapproval at me making the bed move.

She shook her head. “Not at all. Tea?”

I’d been in the UK for less than twelve hours and had already learned a crucial thing. Whatever the situation, someone would offer a cup of tea. I was tired from the journey? Tea. Didn’t sleep well? Tea. Stepped on a pine needle while only wearing socks? Tea.

I said thanks and headed downstairs. And maybe there was something in the tea approach, as I felt 10 percent less marshmallow-brained once I’d finished it.

Which gave me an idea. There was no way I was going to force Nick to spend time with Holly—they were chalk and cheese. Christmas cheese. He was all about spontaneous decisions, and she was like his Christmas-obsessed, plan-making nemesis. But the one thing I was going to force him to do was offer her tea.

Despite being super tired, it was nice talking with Sophie, hearing stories about when she and Mom were little. She was packing and kept apologizing for not being around more because she was getting everything ready for the move, but the truth was, it suited me just fine. I had lots to get done—it wasn’t exactly a vacation, more of a mission. Which I started over breakfast.

Don’t judge a sauce by its name. Apparently this is “Brown Sauce.” Looks revolting. Tastes GREAT. Welcome to England

I killed the next hour unpacking my stuff, sending messages for Mom and Dad to read in the morning, catching up on all my DMs and comments, and getting ready to meet Ruby and Fred. I went for big, beachy, wavy hair, a fluffy, white sweater tucked into my favorite black jeans, and some low-heel ankle boots. I wanted to wear Converse but didn’t want Ruby and Fred instantly realizing how real-life me was way scruffier than the person they were expecting.