White Magic Christmas

Chapter 13: December 6

"It's time to leave for the sock hop," Jeffrey said. Ivy was laying stomach-down on Brynn's bed, scrolling through search results on her laptop. She wanted more information about the Slate Estate, and exactly what they had to do with the dam project, if anything.

"It's a stocking-knitting party," Ivy said. "And I think maybe I'll stay here."

Jeffrey hrmphed at her from his position on the floor. Ivy had set his teapot up near the foot of the bed, where it would not be spotted by anyone casually glancing through the door. "I thought we had determined that figuring out the people of this town is what you're really here to do?" he said.

"I am," Ivy replied distractedly. "I mean... the Slates aren't exactly in town anymore, but I feel like figuring them out will somehow get me to the bottom of this."

Jeffrey made a noise like blowing bubbles. Ivy wrinkled up her nose.

"Is that Pu'er? Don't be rude," she told him.

"Go knit some socks," Jeffrey told her, his tone unusually stern. "I will see what I can dig up about your Slate family."

Ivy sighed and closed her laptop. "You don't have to do that," she said. "I can try this again tomorrow." Jeffrey did not love being used as a reference librarian, and she had already imposed significantly on him this week.

"I'll do it," Jeffrey said. "It's way more fun than trying to find someone who can get information on infrastructure projects. And you're right that the Slates have a whiff of scandal about them, and scandal, as you know, is my true passion."

Ivy blew him a kiss and resolved to bring him the most ridiculous package of holiday-flavored tea she could find. In addition to his love of scandal, Jeffrey had an unconfessed love of spice-blended teas, a rather unusual predilection for a tea dragon, and if they came in a tin with a horrifically punny name, all the better.

"Oh, and give my regards to the mayor!" Jeffrey hollered as Ivy was almost out the door.

"What?"

"Mayor South," Jeffrey said with an innocent flick of his tail. "She is a fascinating woman!"

***

Ivy bundled up in her blimp coat, but as soon as she stepped outside, she regretted the choice and went all the way back through the house to get her red jacket. Despite being black as Hades, the night was surprisingly temperate.

Other people were out walking along the streets despite the darkness. Most of the shopfronts remained lit as their proprietors catered to the temporary crowds. More and more people appeared as she approached the square, and she could hear music and see lights from a block away.

The whole square was strung with colored lights. The Christmas tree had huge floodlights shining upon it. The lights among its branches remained dark, but their glass sparkled under the light and made the tree appear to be dancing. Ornaments the size of beach balls had been added to its branches, giving the whole tree festive pops of color. Christmas carols played over speakers. Dozens if not hundreds of people moved between the vendor booths and children ran in the empty spaces.

Ivy made her way toward the gazebo, at the center of the festivities. While colored lights reigned everywhere else, the lights in the gazebo were all white, the better to see the knitting projects, she supposed. Granny C sat in pride of place among the women and handful inside.

"Ivy!!" Ivy tried to locate the source of the call, but couldn't pick out any faces she knew. Not until Judy grabbed her elbow did she figure it out.