The Grants were there with Lewis. After a life spent in the desert, the snow was very much a novelty and as they tottered unsteadily round the rink, Lewis looked enviously at a pretty girl and a dark-haired boy who glided effortlessly through the crowds.
“These children have magic in them, Lewis,” Casimir said suddenly.
“Have they?” Lewis perked up at once, looking at them with interest. “I think I’d like to get to know them,” he decided.
“So would I,” Casimir said softly, promptly taking charge of proceedings. It was no accident, therefore, that Lewis managed to lose his precarious balance and, legs and arms waving wildly, thumped down on the ice just as Neil and Clara skated up. And it was a hex that made Clara stop and help him to his feet.
Neil took his other arm and, supporting him on either side, they skated with him round the rink until he got into the rhythm. Lewis grinned his thanks as Neil gave him tips and to his amazement, he soon found that he could skate quite well. Full of new-found confidence, he waved to his mother and father as they passed.
Bob Grant beckoned them over. “Your mother fancies some mulled wine, Lewis,” he said, as they came to an impressive stop beside him, showering ice everywhere. “How would you like some hot chocolate?” His glance included all three of them but that wasn’t what left Neil and Clara totally gob-smacked. Lewis! They hadn’t thought to ask his name. Could this be the boy Kitor had seen on the hill? Could this be Lewis Grant? He certainly fitted Kitor’s description.
Although Neil and Clara managed to cover their astonishment pretty well, Lewis noticed their hesitation. “It’s okay,” he said, “this is my dad and that’s my mum over there.”
“I’m Bob Grant,” his father said, shaking their hands as Neil and Clara introduced themselves.
Clara smiled shyly. “Thanks, Mr Grant,” she said politely, trying to hide the fact that her thoughts were in turmoil. Lewis Grant! It must be him, she decided. “We’d love some, wouldn’t we Neil?” she added, turning to look meaningfully at her brother.
Neil nodded but as they made their way towards the stall he was busy trying to work out just how much magic had been involved in their “accidental” meeting and, looking at Clara, knew from her face that she was wondering much the same thing!
“They didn’t have all this when I was your age,” Bob Grant said, gesturing towards the ice-rink as he dished out mugs of steaming chocolate. “No ice-rink and no Christmas Market either,” he said, looking further along the gardens to where the stalls of the German Market blazed in a myriad of bright decorations.
Christmas carols drifted on the frosty air as they turned to look at the picturesque scene. The huge Christmas tree at the top of the Mound glittered in a spangle of lights, and even the towering spires of the Assembly Hall were softened by their icing of snow.
“That’s where the pantomime’s being held, Lewis,” his mother said. “In that big building up there.” She turned to Clara. “I hope you’re both going to see Ali Baba,” she said, kindly. “I think it’s going to be a lot of fun!”
“Actually, we’re in it,” Neil admitted. “We don’t have any real parts, though,” he said hurriedly, “we’re in the crowd scenes and things like that.”
Lewis looked envious. “That sounds great,” he said. “We’re going to see it tomorrow night, so we’ll look out for you!”
“Tomorrow’s the first night!” Neil said. “We’re hoping it all goes well!”
“It’s fabulous,” Clara said. “You’ll have a great time!”
“I forgot to mention it, Lewis,” his father said, “but we’ll be going backstage after the show so if you like, you can meet up with Neil and Clara then. Sir James is an old friend of mine,” he explained, “and he’s invited us to meet Matt Lafferty. He seems to be the star.”
Lewis’s face lit up. “That’d be fab!” he grinned. “You know, I’m really glad we’ve met.”
“Great!” grinned Neil, gulping down the last of his drink. “Now, how about practising your skating some more? He’s getting quite good, isn’t he, Clara?”
Lewis nodded eagerly at this suggestion and with a final wave of thanks to Mr and Mrs Grant, they moved back on to the ice and were soon lost in the crowd.
Unseen by them all, Kitor sat in the black, bare branches of a nearby tree, utterly frozen and not, it must be added, with the cold. Kitor was absolutely stiff with fear! He had flown across from Arthur’s Seat not only to watch Neil and Clara skating but also to enjoy the lights, the Christmas decorations and the excited crowds that thronged Princes Street Gardens … not to mention, of course, the added treat of any left-over scraps of hot dogs and hamburgers!