The Listmaker by Robin Klein Page A

not these days, anyhow. The restaurant might be closed for renovations early February, though, that’s the only hitch. Look, don’t go damaging Nat’s feelings or anything. It’s not that I’m
completely
ruling out the Avian Cottage idea, but I don’t even know if it’s feasible or not, do I? It’s not as though I’ve actually seen the house yet.’
    (I stored ‘feasible’ away in my mind to look up in the dictionary later, perhaps to use myself when I found out what it meant. Piriel’s words always sounded somehow exactly right, like pearls graded in order of size.)
    â€˜I hope no one feels offended that I haven’t been out to visit yet,’ she added lightly. ‘I would have given you a hand moving in, of course, if we hadn’t been so frantically busy at work. But Nat’s very kindly invited me for Christmas dinner. So I’ll be able to have a good look then, won’t I?’
    I gazed out into the mall, at the crowds of shoppers under the canopy of silver bells. There was a queue outside Santa’s castle near the fountain. (Last year Aunty Nat had herself photographed sitting on his knee, using printed copies to send to everyone as Christmas cards. I’d been with her, pretending not to know her while she was lining up with all the little kids, although everyone else seemed to find it amusing. Santa had even given her a lollypop out of his sack.) I looked at the goose doorstop again, knowing that Aunty Nat wouldn’t think it was hideous at all; she’d probably adore it. Maybe I could find a bird thing for her, too. The rest of the day would be terrific, getting caught up in the excitement of Christmas gifts now that the clothes were out of the way.
    â€˜I guess everyone must be secretly cursing the timing of this wedding,’ Piriel said. ‘It won’t give people much chance to recover from all the usual demented Christmas and New Year fuss, I’m afraid. And Dorothy, I didn’t even think to ask what
you’re
planning to wear to it! For all I know, Sarah’s material might clash terribly with your best dress. Or are you lashing out and buying something new? We could do that now, if you like. Sometimes it’s useful to have another opinion. Sarah and I could hover around and give expert advice.’
    It was clear that Aunt Dorothy hadn’t given any thought at all to what she’d wear for the wedding. She muttered in a confused sort of way that she supposed she’d just borrow something of Nat’s when the time came, taking the hem down so that it would be long enough. But I could tell she was scared stiff at the idea of trying on clothes with Piriel hanging around and giving expert advice.
    â€˜Aunt Dosh already has a nice blue dress she’s hardly ever worn,’ I said quickly.
    â€˜And anyhow,’ Aunt Dorothy added, sounding more assertive than she usually did. ‘I haven’t got time to mess around looking at blooming clothes today. I’ve still got more Christmas shopping to do. So has Sarah.’
    Quite suddenly, I found that I could hardly wait to start. Tracking down nice gifts for people would be so easy with Piriel there to help me. Specially Dad’s one. She might even ask my advice on what
she
should buy for people. Corrie Ryder, I thought happily, was more than welcome to her old carved-out book safes. It was just plain scungy giving people homemade junk gifts like that! The rest of this shopping expedition was going to be absolutely –
    â€˜Don’t remind me about Christmas shopping!’ Piriel said, putting down her empty coffee cup. ‘I loathe and detest the whole silly business. If you don’t mind, I’ll just take myself off now and leave you two ladies to it. Oh, mustn’t forget the dress stuff! I’ll get it cut out, Sarah, then we’ll arrange a time for a fitting later on. Give my regards to Nat. And tell her I’m