Christmas Eve dawned rather grey and cold at Ravensgill Bridge. As Jonathan sipped his morning tea and looked out across the hills, he thought that snow might be a possibility during the day. A white Christmas would be just perfect.
Jonathan dialled the number for Karen in Leeds.
"Karen, it's Jonathan."
"Jonathan! Happy Christmas Eve! How are things?"
"Pretty good! I'm meeting up with a few friends at the pub for drinks at lunchtime."
"Great! I'm helping my mother to prepare for lunch tomorrow. What are you doing for Christmas lunch?"
"I'm having lunch with a family in the village who I know quite well. But the main reason I wanted to call you was to finalize plans for our trip to Scotland. Is that all still on?"
"Yes. I called Mac yesterday to confirm."
"Well, if you want to get there before dark we'll need to get going early. There's a train from Leeds at six o'clock in the morning. Is that too early for you?"
"Not at all. I can make that train."
"I'll get on the train when it stops here, at about seven o’clock then we'll need to change trains at Carlisle and again at Glasgow. We should reach Fort William by about four in the afternoon."
"Great, we can get lunch on the journey."
"I don't suppose you want to tell me anything more about Mac, do you?"
"Honestly, Jonathan, I'm not being deliberately secretive. He's a bit of a mysterious character but very interesting to talk to. I've only just finished reading the first draft of his memoirs but I'll fill in a few more details for you on the train. It'll give us something to talk about on the journey."
"OK, Karen, I suppose it makes it all a bit more of an adventure. I guess I should pack for a couple of day’s trip."
"Yes. I need to spend some time talking with Mac about his memoirs so I should think two or three nights. He's got plenty of spare guest rooms in the castle."
"I'll see you bright and early on the twenty seventh, then. Happy Christmas, Karen!"
"Happy Christmas, Jonathan! Have fun!"
Jonathan hung up the phone. He looked at his watch. Nearly lunchtime. A few snowflakes blew around outside the study windows.
"Time to start Christmas," he thought as he pulled on his coat and set off to walk to the Ravensgill Arms.