Serena blew out a billowing cloud of frozen breath and looked around. She loved her garden at any time of year but it had a special magic in winter. After the heavy frost of the previous night, everything sparkled in the morning light.
Turning, she saw Toby her tabby cat padding gingerly across the crisp white lawn.
‘Chilly paws, baby?’ she cooed, picking him up and stroking his soft fur. His purr vibrated against her chest like a little engine.
Suddenly, Michael Bublé’s voice rang out… ‘Oh, who’s this?’ she said to Toby, shifting him to one arm and taking her phone from her pocket. Her granddaughter’s name was on the screen.
Answering it, she began, ‘Rochelle, how lovely…’
‘Nana! Everything’s ruined!’ her granddaughter blurted out, before bursting into tears.
‘Goodness!’ Serena replied. ‘What on earth..?’
Gulping for air, Rochelle managed, ‘The…wedding…’ But once again, wracking sobs echoed down the line.
‘Take it slowly, love,’ Serena said. ‘Whatever it is, we’ll sort it out.’
‘Not this time, Nana.
