Finding Christmas at Spitalfields Carol #10: Finding Christmas Again in London

Echoes of Christmas Past: A Spitalfields Carol Story

December twilight settles early over Notting Hill, turning the white Georgian facades to butter-gold in the fading light. Olivia climbs the steps to her flat, still laughing from lunch with Sarah, her old medical school colleague from New York Presbyterian. Their shared memories of residency brightened the winter afternoon, though they'd spent half the time marveling at how their paths diverged – Sarah to London Bridge Hospital's cardiac unit, Olivia to an unexpected vacation that's becoming something more.

"You're glowing," Sarah had teased over their coffee. "And it's not just the London air. This CEO of yours..."

The memory of Sarah's knowing smile warms Olivia as she reaches her door, then stops. There, propped against the brass mail slot, waits an elaborate package wrapped in heavy cream paper, tied with dark green ribbon. A matching envelope bears her name in elegant script, sealed with dark green wax impressed with an ornate 'S'.

Her fingers trace the seal before breaking it, appreciating its weight, its deliberate formality. Inside, she finds a card illustrated like a medieval manuscript – gold leaf catching the hall light, deep blues and rich reds depicting Spitalfields Market in some Christmas past. Merchants in historical dress offer their wares while musicians play ancient instruments in the corner. The level of detail is exquisite; she can almost hear the music rising from the painted scene.

Axel's handwriting flows across the blank space beneath the illustration:

"Dear Olivia, While the garden...