I so appreciate your invitation. Ice skating sounds lovely, and yes, I do know how. There's a pond not far from my farm that freezes over nicely every winter. My siblings and I look forward to it every year.

It will be just me, if that's alright? Bridget and Callum both have arranged outings with their school friends and the little ones are a bit too wild yet for me to be responsible for them all in public. Does tomorrow afternoon work for you? As you know, Professor Dawson is my grandmother, and we're expected to go and stay with her for Christmas. Of course, if it doesn't, Mother has still granted me permission to go skating with you.

I've included part of your Christmas gift. The other half I'll bring with me when we see one another. Or, if we don't, I'll mail it to you on Christmas.