Christmas on Ventura IV is, admittedly, a slightly unbalanced story. There is quite a lot of not particularly dramatic things going on before the relatively small drama with Julia and the unhappy footman on the roof of the Residence.

But, in fact, for those who have followed the emotional issues of Chrístõ’s family, the first part of the story has a lot going on. It marks Chrístõ’s first admission that he does actually love his little half brother, Garrick. The interaction between him and Garrick is important.

Sooner or later, somebody is going to point out that The Doctor in some of my Unfinished Business stories gives the impression that he never got on with his half brother ever. But the way the Theta Sigma stories have developed, it has proved more constructive for him to develop a close relationship with the child. The rift between them will obviously be re-opened when they are older.

The brooch that Julia got as a Christmas present was going to be the same jewel that Marion got from Kristoph for their first anniversary – the Marion Stone. But I decided these stories get complicated enough without it. Allowing Julia a chance of sharing Chrístõ’s telepathic world was an idea I had kicking around for a while. It isn’t one I intend to over use, but it might be a good plot device from time to time.

The sad case of the man who wanted to commit suicide was the one bit of action in the story, showing Julia using the brooch for a practical and brave purpose. It harks back to the Mallus war, of course. In the coming year Chrístõ and his world will start to get over that blight on them, but not in the first few stories.

This is the first Theta Sigma story that includes Remonte’s wife, Rika. This is because I hadn’t thought of her when Remonte was first introduced. She features in several Marion and Kristoph stories, and is his second wife.