Joyce’s Reviews > So This is Christmas > Status Update

tradition dating back to the fifties where every year a different province of Austria would send Vienna a tree for the season.

‘Everything all right?’ he asked. ‘You were away with the fairies.’

(I like that turn of phrase - distracted, off in La-la land, etc.)

‘The next one along is from an old friend, Moira. I thought she was dead till I got her card.’

Sophie tried not to laugh at the frank response. Some of the residents really told it like it was. Perhaps that came with age.

They grew close quickly, she’d told him everything about herself, good & bad. He didn’t seem put off at all, but different story w/his family. Gradually family’s opinions & prejudices eroded their relationship & she couldn’t handle it & neither could Peter. They’d broken up & she’d never quite trusted another man since then. Any relationship she’d started she’d made sure to sabotage before sharing full life details

Nick had muttered Arschloch under his breath as Dane gave them a wave when he drove off. The word meant ‘arsehole’ in German and Jennie had thought it a bit harsh.

Jennie is 41.

as much as the customer was always right, yelling at a member of his staff wasn’t.

Bea repeated herself often, more so lately, but Sophie didn’t mind. Part of her duty – as well as ensuring medication was taken, that residents were showered and dressed, looked after physically, and were safe – was to listen.

Greta & Walter Wynter have a 46-year-old divorced son, Nick (general manager of a hotel @ which Jennie is head housekeeper).

Widowed Bea Kern is in assisted living, where Sophie (w/a son now in university) works.

Will there eventually be a connection between Nick and Sophie? Or Nick and Jennie? 😅

‘What exactly is Sachertorte, Bea?’

‘Oh, it’s simply wonderful. It’s a famous Austrian cake made with chocolate sponge, apricot jam and glossy icing.’