She opened the book first, her thumb tracing the gold-leaf spine. Then the mug, which she immediately filled with Earl Grey. Finally, she touched the silk of the sleep mask. She didn’t say "thank you" right away. Instead, she took a long sip of tea, her hands perfectly fitted to the curve of the ceramic. "You noticed," she whispered, looking at the collection. "Noticed what?" Leo asked.

On Christmas morning, the living room was a chaotic blur of torn wrapping paper and discarded ribbons. Leo waited until the coffee was poured and the fire was roaring before handing over his box.

"She likes mystery," Leo said, leaning over the counter. "But the kind where nothing too bad happens to the cat."