One month before Christmas – New Scotland Yard, London
'Why are you so gloomy, Sergeant? The streets are full of Christmas lights, the shops windows are beautifully decorated, the festive season is here.'
DI Thomas Lynley was making a pause at the coffee machine with his sergeant, DS Barbara Havers.
'I'm not too fond of Christmas.'
'Do you have seasonal affective disorder?'
'Why is it that people think you're loony when you say you don't like Christmas?'
'I never called you a loony!' Lynley protested.
'The festive season is sometimes difficult enough when you have a family but it's worse when you have to face it on your own. With all the overtime we did, I have a lot of days to make up. Ardery wants me to take the same holidays as you so I'm going to spend a week at home, turning around like a lion in a cage.'
'You could take this opportunity to go away on holiday.'
'Go away? Where?'
The answer came immediately:
'Somewhere sunny. Go to a warm country. In the middle of the winter, there's nothing like the sun and the sea to put a smile on your face. What about the Caribbean? Jamaica, Barbados, the Virgin Islands…'
'Incredible how life is easy when one has plenty of money.'
'It's not a question of money, Barbara. I'm sure you can find a destination well within your budget. If nothing or nobody keeps you in London, go away. It's been a long, hard year; you need to relax. Give yourself that treat; you deserve it. Could you imagine? Christmas Eve on the beach…Grilled spiny lobster, punch, dancing all night with imps in swimsuit…I wonder why I'm not going there myself.'
'Dunno. Maybe because all your family will be at Howenstow?'
'Maybe, yes.'
Suddenly his face lit up with a smile.
'What about I relocate Christmas this year? I'm taking everybody to a sunny place! Mother, Peter, Judith and her daughter Stephanie, aunt Augusta…'
'Your aunt Augusta in a pareo drinking a cocktail with an Adonis in swimming trunks,' Barbara mused, 'now, I want to see that!'
They both laughed.
'Me too! I'd love to see her letting it all hang out. It would do her good. And there's an added bonus: no need to rack my brains about the Christmas presents any longer! I pay the return flight and the hotel to everybody.'
'All in all the perfect plan.'
'Exactly! Your idea is brilliant, Sergeant!'
Barbara didn't remember this being her idea but Tommy looked thrilled and that was enough to make her happy.