The Christmas Castle in Scotland by Julie Caplin

Author:Julie Caplin [Caplin, Julie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780008431259
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Chapter Sixteen

When Izzy tugged open the heavy velvet curtains the next morning, she stood for a moment drinking in the magical view. After a good night’s sleep with her feet feeling cosy and warm again, she could look more favourably on the snowy scene. She flexed her feet, toasty in thick woollen socks, banishing the memories of yesterday. The clouds had rolled back to reveal a piercing blue sky and bright sunshine, which made the snow glisten and glitter.

From the little turret she could see for miles out over the loch and to the mountain ranges beyond. Like a thick duvet, the snow had softened the features of the landscape, smoothing away the sharp lines and angles. It crept up to the very the edge of the loch, where a mirror double of the brilliant white and blue sky was reflected.

Running downstairs, she was greeted by Jeanette in the hall who was hopping from foot to foot. ‘It’s snowed! It’s snowed! Have you seen it? Of course you have. Sorry.’

Izzy grinned at her and put an arm around her shoulder. ‘Do you want to go out and play?’

‘Snow day?’ she asked hopefully.

Izzy remembered snow days when the school was closed and everyone bunked off for the day and went sledging. Jim and Jeanette both deserved a day off, they worked so hard. ‘Snow day,’ she confirmed.

‘Brilliant,’ said Jeanette with a big beam. ‘Glad you got back safely. How was the journey?’

‘Now I’m home, I’ll say it was okay, but we had to abandon the car about half a mile down the road and walking in the snow wasn’t that much fun. I can’t tell you how grateful we were for the hot chocolate and the fire and the hot water bottle.’

‘No problem. To be honest, it was Jim’s idea. He’s the practical one.’

‘Never,’ teased Izzy.

‘He’s made you some porridge, with a touch of cream and brown sugar. His speciality. Hope that’s okay.’

‘Jeanette, that sounds wonderful. Thank you so much. I was glad of the lie-in this morning. We didn’t get back until after one.’

‘Izzy! You’re back!’ Xanthe threw her arms around Izzy, her shrill voice echoing around the hall. ‘Where’s the car? I thought you’d been stranded somewhere in the snow and had to sleep in the car and get hypothermia. Or had to walk miles to find somewhere to put you up.’

Izzy smiled to herself. Typical Xanthe, focusing on the drama.

For the second time she explained what had happened.

‘Good. Did you buy me some decorations?’

‘Yes.’

‘Where are they?’

Izzy shook her head in disbelief.

‘Where do you think they are?’

‘You didn’t leave them in the car, did you? What if someone stole them in the night?’

‘If they went out in that, they’re welcome to them.’

‘When will you get them?’

Izzy glared at her mother.

‘When arrangements can be made to tow the car.’

‘Good job then that I ordered some. I was worried you wouldn’t get enough. I got more fairy lights, too.’

Izzy raised a brow. ‘You mean you didn’t trust me to get it right.

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