Hello, dearest daydreamer. Welcome to the Isle of Neverwas and the Lost and Found Exchange.

It is day eight of the island’s Yule celebrations. This is a time of abundance and generosity. You, my daydreamer, have arrived in Slumber-on-Sea in time for a very special concert.

Slumber-on-Sea is the largest town on the Isle of Neverwas. At the heart of the town centre, instead of a market square, there is a grand Victorian park. We are entering the park through the North Gate, which is just across the road from Mrs. Morris’s tearoom. In the summer months, the metal railings that surround the park are decorated with hanging baskets spilling over with flowers in all different colours. Today, the archway that surrounds the gate has been decorated with an abundance of ivy secured with extra-large red and gold bows. Sprigs of holly and mistletoe have been tucked into the ivy to add a splash of colour. The night air is chilly, nipping at your nose. The sky has been overcast all day, and the stars are hidden behind a dark blanket of cloud.

All of the trees have been decorated with fairy lights, a coil of lights wrapped around their trunks before cascading down from the branches. All along the path, the trees are a rainbow of colours as you move along the path towards the bandstand in the centre of the park. 

Above the happy chatter of the island folk making their way to the concert, you can hear what sounds like the rustle of leaves in the wind. But that’s impossible. There are no leaves on the tree, but the trees themselves are home to a community of tree sprites. You can’t see them, but they are there. Their homes are invisible from the ground but over one hundred tree sprites have made this park their home. When you are out walking in a woodland or forest and can hear the rustle of leaves on a windless day, it is a sure sign you have stumbled across a group of tree sprites. They are the caretakers of the trees. 

The islanders gather at the centre of the park, where an impressive red and green bandstand is located exactly in the centre; all the paths in the park lead to this spot. More lights are strung between the old-fashioned lamp posts. There is a hum of anticipation in the air. On the bandstand is an assembled group of musicians with their assortment of instruments. In front of the bandstand is a large choir. Tonight’s performance is a carol concert. Some of the carols will be familiar to you, with songs like Silent Night and We Three Kings sung by everyone. Other songs will be new to you; they are traditional fairy folk songs celebrating winter. 

The air smells salty and sweet. A reminder that you are near the sea. Deck chairs are arranged on the grass all around the bandstand. Islanders are wrapped up warm against the chilly night air. Some even have blankets wrapped around their knees or shoulders. Some have even brought picnics with them. Go on and find a seat, dearest daydreamer. There is one over there next to Ruby Rabbit and Little Mouse. 

As the music begins to play, a hush falls over the assembled crowd, but the island folk are soon joining in with the carols. Most of the islanders love to sing, even those who can’t carry a tune. Friends share food and drink, passed around from picnic baskets or purchased from stalls at the opposite end of the park. The winner of the scavenger hunt at Castle Nod and of Mrs Morris’s Christmas cake has divided it into small pieces, thoughtfully deciding to share it with friends old and new. You are handed a piece, and it is the best Christmas cake you have ever tasted.

As the fairy folk music begins to play, a hush falls over the crowd. Snow starts to fall, and the fairy folk use their magic so it appears as if an invisible dome covers the park. You look up, and snow is falling around the outside of the park. Almost as if you were in a glass bubble inside a snowglobe. It is a magical moment. A moment to hold onto for a lifetime.

For my daydreamers, mischief-makers, and restless souls, welcome to the Isle of Neverwas. You are home.