Christmas day is just me and Enid, who refuses to open any presents without Mason being present.
After lunch, we chance a walk outside but it doesn't last very long, because Enid wouldn't stop complaining about the snow, the cold, or the bitter wind sweeping the streets.
We make a swift return home and snuggle in front of the only fireplace in the piano room with a cup of tea and board games. Maybe that's why Mason wanted me to be here because he couldn't. It would have been a very sad Christmas for Enid if she had to spend it all alone in a mansion.
To my surprise, the next day Laira and David come and visit. To their surprise, I'm there. Some of the snow has been cleared off the road, and we take our chances and visit Ellie.
The hug she gives when she opens the door is heartwarming, and it makes me so happy. I've missed her so much in the past year. She is like a ray of sunshine. Always trying to find the silver lining even when there isn't one.
Somehow we all manage to squeeze inside her small barrack. Laira, David and Enid sit on the bed, while Cole is sitting in Ellie's lap, and I take the remaining chair.
On the bright side, construction is underway in the Quarter, just like Mason has planned. My dream is coming to life. And I can't help but feel tearful at the thought that Mason has been the one to make it happen.
" Oh, dear," Ellie sighs," You've grown so much," She says wistfully, " Look at you, I don't see a trace of the girl that walked in that soup kitchen three years ago. You're all so grown up now," Ellie sniffles, Cole gives her a comforting hug, and a pat on the back. Even though he is still a little boy that gesture makes him look so grown up. A little boy taking care of his mother. The sight is heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time.
" It okay, mama," He says softly, and kisses her cheek.
" I know sweetheart but one day you'll grow up too and leave me," Ellie sobs, and Cole frowns as if what his mother said is absolute nonsense.
" I'll never leave you, mama," Even though his approaching his teenage years, Cole is still calling Ellie 'Mama'.
" Oh, sweetheart, " It is a very emotional day for Ellie by the looks of it, and I feel like we are intruding on a very private moment. We all look elsewhere but at them, David looks uncomfortable, Laira is wiping the tears in her eyes and Enid looks mildly bored for some reason.
After a few more sobs Ellie settles down and apologises for her outburst.
We fall into more easy conversation while drinking some tea to warm ourselves up. Laira still volunteers at the soup kitchen now and again. So does David. I'm the only one that has stepped aside completely. Now I'm feeling guilty that I'm going out for lunch with Ashley instead of volunteering at the soup kitchen. Some food for the thought.
Once we all finished our teas we say our goodbyes to Ellie, who spends a good ten minutes to convince me to visit her more often. And then she makes me swear it on my mother's grave just to make sure I'll keep said promise. I comply far too easily with her request mostly because I don't want to make her cry again.
We part ways with Laira and David, after making plans to spend the next day together, now that I've decided to come out of my self-imposed isolation. It's only half the truth, but I'm in no mood to argue with Laira.
The rest of the week goes by in a blur of evenings spent by the fire with Enid, getting my ass kicked at board games. And my days with Laira and David bouncing between outings in Morston and lunches at home with Enid.
Her disposition has brightened up significantly compared to the times when she visited me at the academy and I'd like to think that I played a part in it. I can see of glimpse of the chirpy, joyous Enid and that in itself is a win for me.
I never wanted to hurt any of them, quite the opposite. I haven't seen any trace of the V'asay, but I'd like to think that even evil takes time off to celebrate the holidays. Or I'm just being hopeful.
Mason has kept in touch with Enid on a regular basis while Graham has called to speak with me a few times, probably just to annoy Mason. But, no matter how inappropriate his jokes are, he makes me laugh and I need to laugh.
I need something to take the edge off and Graham seems to know that.
Although it is an quite unexpected friendship, I'm glad that we have become friends.
Mason tells Enid that he is bringing Marie and Antoine back with them, but Antoine will be going back as soon as his mother has settled down.
Enid tells me that she refuses to even look at the house she once called home, and says that now it is cursed, and made Antoine promise that he will sell it.
Understandable, given the fact that her daughter and husband have died inside that said house. Some might think that Marie's reaction is a bit over the top, but I think is just the right amount.
I haven't set foot in the house in Lamport since Mason brought me to Morston. I know the memories of my life there will haunt me as soon as I go back there, and I understand perfectly how Marie must feel.
She doesn't need a constant reminder of all that she has lost. Starting somewhere new, that doesn't come with painful memories seems like a decision a sound person would make.
Mason will be back tomorrow morning, and once he steps through those front doors, my time in Northenhay has come to an end.
Not because he will shove me out of the door, but because I cannot, and do not want to be another shameful thing that he has to hide.
I've been there, done that and I didn't develop a taste for it. As much as I'd love to give us another try, this is not the way to go about it.