Getting to Melo turned out not to be an immediate option, as Mathilda headed out into the polar night.

  ‘Where are we heading?’ Lacey asked, following.

  ‘The Reindeer Common Room. Everyone’s meeting up there for an update on Jinxy.’

  ‘So they don’t think she’s just wandered off anymore?’

  ‘I suppose it’s possible, but it is odd that she’s staying away so long this close to Christmas. She knows how important it is to keep on schedule with the toy-making, especially now.’

  The Reindeer Common Room was easy to spot. Maybe it was because it was located on the edge of Santa’s village, close to the reindeer enclosure and stables. Or perhaps because it had a set of giant reindeer antlers above a red front door, with inviting yellow lights spilling through the windows on the sides. The atmosphere inside the room was muted, though, with unspoken fear for Jinxy’s safety. Melo sat on a sofa in the corner, surrounded by murmuring elves. Mathilda and Lacey were barely through the door when Jinxy’s three friends closed ranks around them.

  ‘Hey Mathilda, do you know anything about Jinxy yet?’

  ‘Has Peter told you what we’re going to do?’

  ‘Do you think she’s okay?’

  ‘Girls, girls,’ Mathilda pacified them. ‘I know as much as you do, but Peter will be here soon. Meanwhile, I’m going to get a glass of glühwein. Lacey, would you also like one?’

  ‘I’ll skip this one, thanks.’

  Nodding, Mathilda weaved off to the refreshment table with Cynthie and Bethy in tow. Several elves crowded around it, likely motivated by the cold gloom outside and undeterred by the upcoming serious discussion.

  ‘Not a fan of glühwein?’ Danji asked.

  ‘It’s not that; I’m just not used to having alcohol when there’s work to do.’

  ‘What work though? We have nothing specific to do, and it’s only one little glass. Besides, don’t tell me you’ve never had a glass of wine in the evening, even if you were working?’

  Lacey laughed, replying, ‘I guess I can’t deny it. Although it was always by myself and never with anything important.’

  Danji’s eyes crinkled. ‘See, not so bad, and I bet you’ve never tasted anything over at Aurora like we have here. Why don’t you and I share a glass?’

  Suddenly, loud voices came from the other side of the room, Bethy’s rising above the rest. ‘No, I’m telling you, Cynthie! My toy would’ve been the prettiest of the day if YOU hadn’t taken the last golden buttons!’

  ‘I didn’t TAKE them; they were there for anyone to use! I can’t help it if I got to them before you did! And by the way, golden buttons don’t make the toy. If yours were the prettiest, it would’ve been so even without the buttons.’

  ‘That’s not what you say whenever Jinxy wins!’

  ‘Doesn’t matter, I WON today!’

  She could see Mathilda raising her hands in a peacemaking gesture, trying to calm the pair down. Rolling her eyes at them, Danji giggled good-naturedly and said, ‘Those two get so competitive sometimes. They forget it’s about the children.’

  Lacey laughed too, saying, ‘Is Jinxy also like that?’

  ‘Oh, not at all. Don’t get me wrong, she likes it just as much when one of her toys is named Toy of the Day, but she doesn’t get upset when it’s not her. She’s just as happy for whoever else it is. Now, how about some hot wine?’

  The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

  ‘Why not.’ Although she hesitated again when they reached the refreshment table and the tubby, red-cheeked elf behind it gave an excited whoop when he saw Danji.

  ‘Danji, my favourite customer!’

  ‘Hiya Golly, can you please split a glass for me and Lacey here?’

  ‘Of course, of course,’ he replied, pulling up two giant highball glasses. ‘Split tall glass, bottom of the bowl, coming right atcha!’

  ‘Thanky Ganky,’ Danji replied and then the two of them giggled together at what was obviously an inside joke.

  Lacey accepted the drink, although she was slightly alarmed at the murky contents, which included some swollen raisins spinning around the bottom. Danji, on the other hand, took a giant swig with no qualms whatsoever and gave Golly a parting wave as they moved away. Taking a cautious sip, Lacey felt a zingy tingle on her tongue. It was a lot more spicy than the drinks she was used to, although she wasn’t sure how it compared to the much lighter liquid most of the other elves were drinking. A matronly elf caught her eye, gave her and Danji’s glasses a once over, and then moved off while tsking.

  ‘I wonder what Peter’s going to say to us when he gets here,’ Danji said, seemingly not noticing the elf's disapproval and taking another sip. The level in her glass was swiftly dropping.

  ‘I don’t know. I hope he’s found something about Jinxy, though. Melo seems really worried.’ It was true. From where he was sitting, Melo’s face was haggard and criss-crossed by worry lines.

  ‘Yeah, if he doesn’t find Jinxy, he’ll have to make do with number two.’ Danji’s words were beginning to slur. How fast do elves get inebriated? Wait, how fast will I get tipsy? Alarmed, Lacey looked down at her drink and then realised what Danji had just said.

  ‘What do you mean? Who’s number two? Cynthie?’

  ‘No, not Cynthie, Bethy. Everyone knows Melo chose Jinxy instead of Bethy because Jinxy is a prettier elf.’

  Lacey looked at the slightly swaying elf with surprise. This was the first time she had heard anyone say anything uncharitable about another elf. And especially coming from one of Jinxy’s friends.

  ‘Do you really think that’s the only reason why he likes Jinxy?’

  The question caused Danji to pause, looking deep into her glass as she contemplated. Before she could answer, Golly interrupted them by calling, ‘Danji-li-li, look at me!’ He was precariously balancing three glasses on top of one another.

  ‘Oh Golly-gee-gee, be careful!’ Danji hurried over to help stabilise the tower.

  Lacey watched the scene in horrified amazement.

  ‘I see you’ve met our jolly Danji and Golly,’ an amused voice spoke from her side. It was Peter, carrying a wooden crate. His uniform still looked as crisp and fresh as when they had breakfast in Mathilda’s kitchen that morning. She took a moment to appreciate his perfectly styled red coat and gold brocade while doing her best not to notice how his thigh muscles rippled under the tight black pants that rose from his knee-high boots.

  ‘Jolly Danji you say. I never would’ve guessed.’

  ‘Don’t worry; by tomorrow she and Golly will be their old selves again. Although she might get to the workshop a little later than usual.’

  Lacey just shook her head. She wanted to say more but was interrupted by Melo rushing up to them.

  ‘Ho there, how went the search?’

  Peter shook his head with a slight shrug. ‘Nothing yet. The reserve elves and I have combed through the snowfields north and west, and as far as we could go into the southern forest.’

  ‘And the east?’ Lacey asked. Melo and Peter simultaneously stared at her.

  ‘Ho there,’ Mathilda said, joining their little group. ‘Any news yet?’

  ‘None so far,’ Melo responded.

  Feeling a little peeved, Lacey replied, ‘They’ve searched everywhere but the east.’ Mathilda also looked at her strangely, and then realisation lit her face. ‘Oh, you don’t know, do you.’

  ‘Ahhh,’ Melo and Peter responded in unison.

  ‘Know what? What about the east?’

  ‘The wasteland where The Abominable Snowman lives is located to the east. Everyone knows how dangerous it is, so we never go there,’ Mathilda explained.

  ‘Are you sure though? Jinxy has quite the fascination with the snowman.’

  ‘Even so, it’s extremely unlikely.’

  Unlikely it may be, but to Lacey it still felt that they should at least check, Abominable Snowman or no. But she supposed they would know better than a total stranger, so she let it go for the moment.

  ‘Okay then, here goes,’ Peter dropped the crate upside down, stepped onto it, and gave a few loud claps. The all-round murmur of voices quieted as everyone turned to look at him.

  ‘Good evening everyone, and thank you for coming round tonight. To give you an update, Jinxy hasn’t returned yet and we have been unable to find her. I’m sure you would’ve told me already if you knew anything, but to be thorough, I need to ask anyway. Does anyone know anything about Jinxy’s whereabouts?’

  There was silence while some elves looked quizzically at each other, and others just shook their heads. No one had any information to add.

  ‘Okay, well, the conditions are too bad to continue our search outside tonight. Be vigilant as you move around town, and keep your eyes open around your own places. If you see anything, or think of anything, please come tell me immediately.’

  Lacey’s heart ached as she watched Melo slump. Peter patted him on the back as two of his friends led him away.

  ??????