Aunt Evie and Tess followed and watched as he made a friend who let him use the cardboard and Max very happily slid down the hill. Snow was falling all around them. Max’s cheeks were rosy and a little sparkly, too. And he was smiling.

He joined Tess and Aunt Evie. He noticed Tess was staring off in the distance. She almost thought she was imagining it.

“You’re not imagining that,” said Max before Tess could even ask the question.

Off in the distance was the distinct image of a Ferris wheel.

Aunt Evie looked over, as well, and she explained. “There’s a winter carnival in Hyde Park,” Aunt Evie said. “It was on my list,” she added, “but I thought we should wait till your parents get here—it’s remarkable to go at night. There’s a festival of lights.”

Tess and Max weren’t quite sure after the experience they had last summer at the carnival that they wanted to find out how remarkable it was.

Tess said quickly, “There are so many things to do in London. Why don’t we see what Mom and Dad want to do and what you want, Aunt Evie? I know Max wanted to see the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace. I sort of want to see that, too.”

At the same time, Tess couldn’t help but feel drawn to the carnival even though she didn’t mean to be. She could hear the music in the distance. She wondered if there were rides besides the Ferris wheel and if there was a skating rink with professional ice-skaters dancing in a show. She wondered if there were elves and reindeer. She knew she was too old for elves and reindeer, but she still liked the idea of them. Well, maybe not too old for elves.

“It is sort of magical, isn’t it Max, that there’s a winter carnival in Hyde Park?”

“Not really,” said Max, “it seems logical that there would be a carnival in the park in winter right around Christmas when it snows. And, also a festival of lights is a very normal thing around Christmas. Normal,” he repeated just for emphasis.

~ CHAPTER FOUR ~

afternoon tea

The horse and carriage was still parked at the corner outside Hyde Park. Mr. Cortland jumped out the moment he saw them.

“Did you think I wasn’t going to wait for you?” he asked.

“Don’t know what I thought,” said Aunt Evie, “but I’m awfully glad you did.”

They bundled cozily into the back seat.

Aunt Evie looked at her iPhone and announced, “Maybe it’s a perfect day. I think we’ll be back for tea time.”

Tess had to admit that so far it had almost been a perfect day.

• • •