As night fell, Toby skulked into the camp, filled with apprehension. Around the blazing bonfire at the centre of the settlement, the elves were readying themselves for a performance.
The reindeer and horses had been released into a nearby field and were grazing quietly under the close watch of an attendant. It was rumoured that the reindeer’s fame had spread to London’s criminals so precautions had been taken to secure them from thieves.
The sky was darkening as Toby passed familiar faces. He nodded to acknowledge them in a friendly manner. Just act natural, Toby, he told himself. If Nicko was the deceptive scoundrel he feared he could be, then there was no way to determine who he could trust in this close-knit community. Anybody could be in on it, if it even existed.
Just act natural,
