While the wealthy Newkirk family is preparing to celebrate Christmas Eve, Jakub Bobrowski is finishing up his work for the day and looking forward to his own Christmas Eve with his wife and children. But before Jakub can do that he must make the long journey from Bridgewater’s stables to his own small apartment some thirty miles away. Throughout his journey home he weighs the responsibilities of providing for his family as he tries to come up with new ways to increase their income; yet mere steps away in the Bridgewater manor house a completely different lifestyle contrasts with his own. When he receives some happy but unsettling news on this Christmas Eve his plans for the futureare changed. But an Old World resilience shines through and when his young daughter gives him pause, he realizes that life isn’t always better when you’re wealthy.

This is an original short story based on The Bridgewater Chronicles by the same author. A quick read, suitable for all ages.