‘So how is everything?’ said Sofia, trying to change the subject.
‘Mr McCredie is nice … Well, he’s odd. What’s his background?’
‘Well,’ said Sofia, ‘I can’t discuss my clients’ personal business. But as for what everyone knows, the McCredies are quite a well-known family in Edinburgh, go back a long way. He’s young Mr McCredie but I think his dad was young Mr McCredie too. It’s very confusing. His grandfather was rather famous – he was on the Scottish polar expedition, you know.’
‘The what?’
‘The expedition to the South Pole.’
‘With Captain Scott? That one?’
‘No! The Scottish polar expedition. 1902 or something. They did some exploring, didn’t get to the South Pole but they found a new bit of land and set up a weather station that was quite useful. They were very famous at the time, but nobody died on the expedition, so people don’t remember it now.’
‘Even so, that’s amazing.’
‘It is.’
‘Goodness,’ said Carmen. ‘Young Mr McCredie doesn’t look like the outdoor type.’
‘No, he isn’t, not at all. So then the other young Mr McCredie … ’
‘That’s not the South Pole one?’
‘Goodness no. That’s young Mr McCredie’s father.’
‘But he’s not still alive?’
‘Oh no. He was a great war hero, decorated and what-not. Then I think their son came as a surprise.’
‘Why?’
‘Well, the whole family was known for its derring-do – lots of brothers in the military and so on. Lots and lots of boys.’ She paused. ‘All dead now. I have the archive in the office; it’s quite fascinating. But Mr McCredie was an only child, born just after the war, only interested in books really. Didn’t do anything that was expected of him.’
‘Is he married?’
‘Never married.’
‘Gay?’
‘I don’t know. I don’t think so.’
‘Hmm,’ said Carmen. ‘Is he nice? Do you like him?’
Sofia nodded. ‘He’s a little … distracted. But yes. Very kind, I think. I wouldn’t … I wouldn’t have sent you to work for someone horrible, Carmen.’
‘No,’ said Carmen. ‘Just the only person in this town skinter than me.’
‘You need to MAKE THE SHOP LIKE CHRISTMAS,’ interrupted Phoebe, chased inevitably by Pippa saying, ‘Don’t interrupt.’ ‘And DO STORIES.’
‘I am going to do a story time!’ said Carmen. ‘Tell your friends.’
‘She doesn’t have any friends,’ said Pippa, widening her eyes. ‘I am so sad for her, aren’t you?’
‘No,’ said Carmen. ‘Other children are total idiots, everyone knows that. Total buggers.’
And while Sofia internally gasped, Phoebe, for the first time, betrayed a hint of a smile.
Carmen gave the shop a critical eye the next morning. The problem was, everywhere else was so lovely. Victoria Street itself had hung sparkling silver stars down the middle. All along the street she could see decorations and lovely windows and shop proprietors chatting with one another while helping each other hang garlands, and wondered why Mr McCredie didn’t get involved.
