The Daft Days

In the crisp dawn of a Scottish burgh, a curious New‑Year’s bell rattles through the streets, its off‑beat “boom, boom, ding‑a‑dong” turning a cold winter morning into a playful fanfare. The town awakens to the clatter of drums, the chatter of post‑office stablehands, and the whispered promises of shortbread, ham and eggs, while residents shuffle from their beds with a strange, contagious gaiety. Amid the bustle, Miss Dyce, a sharp‑witted young woman, rises with a candlestick in hand, determined to catch the elusive Kate MacNeill before the day’s first hour slips away.

Munro’s tale spins this whimsical tableau into a lively comedy of misunderstandings, secret admirers, and the oddball customs that bind the community together. As the bell’s echo lingers, friendships are tested, rivalries spark, and the promise of a new romance hangs in the frosty air. Listeners will be drawn into the bustling streets, the warm humor, and the gentle absurdity that makes this New Year’s morning unforgettable.