Under cover of putting down her plate, Lily muttered under her breath, ‘Great. We were all crap at this when we tried it before,’ but pasted on a smile and threaded her way towards Franciszka. Wearing apprehensive expressions the other Middletones grouped behind them.

Carola took charge. ‘We’ll just back you with oohs and ahs and leave the Polish to you.’

Nodding agreement, Franciszka started them off by ascending the scale. ‘Ah-ah, ah-ah, ah-haha.’

The tune coming back to them, the others drew breath and followed her lead. ‘Ah-ah, ah-ah, ah-haha …’ Franciszka began to sing, her eyes half-closing as her voice rose, simple and sweet, though the words, apart from obvious ones such as ‘Bethlehem’, were a mystery to Lily.

Humming and ahh-ing, the Middletones backed Franciszka quietly. They very much winged it but the effect was charming and was met with smiles around the room. Lily relaxed and let her voice soar. To sing, as they were in the country to do, was strangely reassuring.

Carola must have felt the same as when Franciszka had gravely accepted a round of applause she said, ‘Shall we do another?’ and counted them in for ‘Let it Snow’, which, it seemed, Swiss people were au fait with, joining in the chorus until the room was filled with the sound of friendship and joy. Lily was sure that her heart had never felt quite so swollen. It felt like a reward for all the work she’d put into this trip during the year, a trip that so nearly didn’t happen, and an echo of her joy in meeting more members of her family.

And liking them.

That was a special, warm, private joy.

Chapter Fifteen

Though she’d all but collapsed into bed the evening before, Lily was up bright and early on Wednesday. It gave her first turn in the bathroom and also time to phone her parents. That she’d heard nothing from Roma or Patsie since Saturday had begun to bother her. She carried her phone out to the living area so as not to wake the others. Both her parents were early birds so she didn’t think calling them now would be an issue.

She tried Roma first.

‘Hello, gorgeous,’ said her mother’s well-loved voice. ‘Have you arrived? Do you have snow?’

‘Yes, and yes.’ Lily chatted about the journey and the welcome they’d received last night.

Roma hesitated. ‘Did you meet …?’

‘Yes.’ Lily wished she didn’t have to feel awkward about it. It wasn’t as if she was in a relationship and confessing to an affair. ‘We got on well. How are you doing?’

Roma accepted the change of subject. ‘Patsie’s still doing her own thing,’ she said drearily. ‘We’re thinking about things and I suppose she’s seeing her new lady.’

Lily’s heart ached. ‘I just don’t know what to say.’