Pamela Shropshire’s Reviews > Mistletoe Magic > Status Update

He closed the door behind him, set Gustavus in his basket on the table and swept Theodosia into his arms. "This is what I have wanted to do – to wish you a happy Christmas in my own home – your home, too, my dearest." Theodosia, after being kissed in a most satisfactory manner, found her breath. "It's true, it's all true? Dearest Hugo, Happy Christmas."

As they reached his house, the first stroke of midnight sounded from the church close by, followed by other church bells ringing in Christmas Day. The professor ushered his small party out of the car and into his house. The hall was quiet and dimly lit and George and Max padded silently to the foot of the stairs where they sat like statues.

...Theodosia said, 'That little dog, he looks so sad...'

The attendant laughed. 'He's been George's shadow ever since he came...Let's hope someone wants him. I doubt it – he came in off a rubbish dump.'

The professor was looking at Theodosia; he knew with resigned amusement that he was about to become the owner of the little dog. She wasn't going to ask, but the expression on her face was eloquent.

The professor discovers Theodosia going to Fortnum & Mason to pick up an order for her great-aunts. "'...in the meantime we can have something to eat.' It was a delicious meal and all the more delicious because it was unexpected."

My professor and I ate at F&M, too!

Her ginger head caught fire from a stray shaft of winter sunshine and the professor admired it silently. She was like a spring morning in the middle of winter, he reflected, and frowned at the nonsensical thought.