Finding Christmas in Cheesecake and Carols #6: Finding Christmas Again in London

Carnaby Street sparkles like a jewelry box cracked open, its famous peacock lights casting kaleidoscope patterns on rain-slicked cobblestones. Emma tugs Olivia through the evening crowd, their boots clicking against stones that have known centuries of London winters.

"We're late," Emma laughs, her breath creating dragon-smoke in the December air. "The choir starts in ten minutes, and we still need to get your songbook." Her vintage Norwegian sweater, thick as love and patterned with running reindeer, catches light from a thousand Christmas bulbs.

The gathering spot glows ahead – Liberty's famous Tudor facade creating a backdrop straight from Dickens. Already, singers cluster beneath the great clock, their red scarves marking them as members of the Mayfair Chamber Choir. Sheet music rustles like leaves in the winter wind, while someone tests pitch on a discrete silver pipe.

"I haven't sung carols since school," Olivia protests weakly, but Emma's already steering her toward a table where programs and song sheets wait like gifts. "I'm not sure I remember the words."

"That's why God invented songbooks," Emma grins, pressing a leather-bound volume into her hands. Its pages feel soft as moth wings, well-worn by years of December use. "Besides, Dad says you have a lovely voice."

Olivia feels heat rise in her cheeks despite the bitter cold. "Your father is biased."

"Delightfully so." Emma's smile turns conspiratorial. "Though I notice you're wearing his cashmere scarf."

Before Olivia can respond, the choirmaster calls them to order. They find places between a silver-haired soprano who...