The card table had been set up in a corner of the living room. Bertha, 72 years young and possessing the tactical focus of a four-star general, stood before the pieces of her future masterpiece: the LEGO Creator Expert Neuschwanstein Castle. Three thousand, four hundred, and fifty-five pieces of miniature Bavarian glory.

Bertha had survived 30 years in middle-management, two children, two knee replacements, and a philandering husband (now ex). A plastic German castle didn’t scare her. She was looking forward to many peaceful hours of careful construction.

“Right then,” Bertha whispered, opening Bag 1. “Operation Mad King Ludwig is a go.”

Barnaby, a 20-pound Norwegian Forest cat with the eyes of a silent assassin, materialized on one arm of a sturdy wingback chair next to the table. He stared at a 2x4 grey brick with intense, unblinking malice.

“Don’t you dare, Barnaby,” Bertha warned, pointing her bright orange separator tool like........

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