Page 71 of Tis The Season for Secrets
When he walked in the front door, the Christmas tree in the front room by the TV shone brightly.
“Tree looks great!” he called out, walking through to put the Chinese takeaway on the kitchen table. “I got a mix of everything, since I figured you’d be hungry after all the decorating. I was lucky to get in when I did – they’re super busy before Christmas Eve. I did find one packet of mince pies left in the shop for dessert, though!”
When she didn’t respond, he figured she might be upstairs. He put down the plates he’d taken from the cupboard, listening for movement in the house.
“Juliet?” he shouted up the stairs, but there were no lights on in the house except for the Christmas tree. He searched the house, and there was no sign of her. His heart raced as he considered where she could’ve gone. Had someone from the council called after he’d left? He slapped his hand against the banister.She promised not to disappear again.
She couldn’t have gone far. He’d been with Eloise and the council members for about an hour to clear up the chest misunderstanding. In that tense moment, he’d thanked Juliet for her foresight. Even with the Christmas Eve deadline given by Mr Frost, it was likely her disappearing act had prompted her father to report their activities. Without evidence, they were in the clear. For now. Still, they’d come dangerously close to ending up on the Naughty List.
His eyes fell on the small silver dish on the mantlepiece where he’d left her bell. It was empty.
Not again.He sat on the couch by the tree and rested his head in his hands. She’d left her bag here, though, so she must plan on coming back. There were two options: she had either gone to see Lyla or Eloise; he didn’t think there was anyone else she would go to right now. Reaching for the house phone, he considered calling Eloise, but as he went to dial, he stoppedhimself.If she has gone to see her mum, this is their chance. I can give them some time.
Instead, he typed in the Klauses’ house number.
“What the hell was I thinking?” Juliet paced outside a store with a large perfume bottle and several smaller versions scattered around. She hadn’t meant to take the bell, but when she’d been decorating the mantle with gold tinsel, the glimmering orb had caught her eye. When the cursive name Frost shone up at her, she couldn’t believe that Will had removed it from the chest before returning. Before she’d thought it through, she’d ended up on some random street in Yule. She blamed Judy Garland for making her wish she had a family like in the movie and sparking her desire to see her mom.
She tucked the bell into her pocket and wrapped her arms around herself. She had been expecting to find her mom, but like that day in the library, clearly the bell had a mind of its own. Thankfully, Will had given her one of his oversized fleeces before they’d gone tree shopping so she’d be extra toasty. The cold still nipped at her nose, but it bought her some time. She hadn’t got the chance to grab a coat before the bell took her to Rudolph knew where.
A couple of people stumbled out of a crowded pub; the laughter and music was comforting. Juliet considered going inside for a hot chocolate or whiskey to warm up. And, more importantly, to ask if they had the number for Eloise. She opened the door, only to spot Mrs Klaus and a woman in a wheelchair she hadn’t met. Juliet guessed she must be Lou, from what Lyla had told her about Mason’s elder sister. Now wasn’t the right time to run into them, and Juliet turned sharply, not wanting to be caught.
Sneaking away, she made it back to the perfume shop and tried to pick a direction. She didn’t get the chance before a woman slammed into her, dropping an armful of wrapped presents.
“I’m sorry, I wasn’t paying attention,” Juliet exclaimed, crouching in the snow to help her collect the presents before the green and gold wrapping paper was ruined.
“No, please don’t apologise. I was the one who crashed into you. I’ve been running around trying to get some last-minute shopping done before the stores close. I stacked them so high I couldn’t see where I was going.” The dark-haired woman laughed, taking the presents from Juliet.
With all the presents collected, Juliet dusted the snow from her knees. Face to face, she recognised the woman from the Hall of Guardians, except her dark hair wasn’t pulled back so severely. Instead of the deep red pant suit, she looked far more approachable in an oversized cream woolly hat and long puffy pink coat.
“We’ve met before.” The woman smiled, getting there first. Juliet wasn’t sure if it was an excited or nervous smile. “You were at the Hall of Guardians the other day. Seems we’re destined to run into each other.”
There was something in her eyes that Juliet thought she recognised, but she was too embarrassed that she’d nearly toppled the woman twice in one month to focus on it.
“Did you find the boarder were looking for? No one mentioned having a visitor. But many come and go over the season, so you might have missed them.”
“Right, they probably went somewhere for the holidays,” Juliet said quickly, breathing into her hands. The cold starting to set into her bones.
The woman’s eyes narrowed. “You should really have a coat on. I don’t live far – just one street over behind the perfume shop,” she said. “You can borrow one of mine.”
Juliet hesitated. “I should get back. Is there a sleigh rank around here?” She didn’t trust the bell to return her back to Will’s, since this was the second time it had sent her on a wild goose chase.
“The night before Christmas Eve? You’ll be waiting a while. I could call you one from mine and you can wait out of the snow?” the woman offered, balancing the presents and the bag on her shoulder. Juliet’s teeth started to chatter, so she didn’t argue. She didn’t want to return to Will’s a popsicle.
“You can have a seat anywhere,I’ll just pop the kettle on and call you a sleigh,” the woman said, taking off her coat and hanging it on a hook by the front door. Juliet admired the blush pink couch and bright floral wallpaper.
“I’m sorry to impose. I hope I’m not interrupting your plans,” she said. The warmth of the house was greatly appreciated.
“Please don’t be silly. I don’t think my arms could handle another parcel. I was getting some of my students a few stocking fillers. Some don’t go home for the holidays, so I like them to have something on Christmas morning. Thankfully, I ran into you, which stopped me from getting carried away,” the woman answered, heading down the corridor to the kitchen. Juliet figured she must be a guardian instructor.Wait, she must know my mom! Maybe she can tell me where she lives.
“I’m Juliet, by the way,” she called out, looking around the small, cosy sitting room. The tree by the frosted front window was decorated with various shades of pink and rose gold baubles. On the wall above the fireplace were beautiful antique picture frames.
“Is this your daughter?” She picked up one of the frames on the mantle, only for her hand to tremble as she got a better look at the little girl with pigtails. Her mouth went dry as she recognised the pink Barbie birthday cake from her sixth birthday Diana had made for her. She dropped the frame, and the glass cracked over her young, toothy smile.
“Are you alright?”
Juliet heard footsteps nearing and knelt to pick up the photo, unable to even find the words to apologise.
“Leave it! I don’t want you to cut yourself,” the woman fretted, gently taking the frame from her hands and setting it down on the mantle. She examined Juliet’s hand, frowning as she noticed the yellow bruising.
