Nobody in Fairacre knew much about Miss Quinn, which was a rare state of affairs and much regretted by the villagers. A highly efficient secretary to a Caxley businessman, she ran him, and her own affairs, with terrifying competence. She was completely unsentimental and planned to spend her Christmas exactly as she wanted it, without fuss or family. But before the great day, her brother rang to say his wife had been rushed to the hospital, and could she come and cope with the children? Secretly dismayed, Miss Quinn set out to do her duty.