My fiendish schemes to foster yuletide cheer in Castle Bailey Library have been more successful than I ever dreamed, but I must admit some of the results have taken me, and the rest of the village, by surprise.

Twice this week I spotted Linda actually smiling at somebody when they asked to check-out their books. This can only be bad for our readers. The shock of it might actually kill an elderly library member. I’m all for a little “HoHoHo” jollity, but there is such a thing as taking it too far.

Boss Lady, of course, is off on her skiing holiday, happily avoiding one of the busiest weeks of the year in the library. She posted a photo of her at an alpine bar eating an enormous gingerbread figure and quaffing from a large beer mug while wearing a Santa Hat. She wouldn’t be...

Please subscribe to keep reading.