They set off up a steep snowy path towards a wooded area in Max’s wake, the snow crunching and squeaking beneath their feet, Doggo taking advantage of his extending lead to trip up as many people as possible as he trotted back and forth, nose down. The path rose and rose and they were soon all puffing, even Isaac.

‘It’s the altitude. We’re just about an entire atmosphere higher here than in Middledip,’ he observed, pausing to catch his breath, shading his eyes to look back over the snow plain punctuated with lines of dark jagged conifers, snowy peaks rising up behind. They were so clear that Lily felt as if she could reach out and touch them. Apart from the restaurant, there wasn’t a building to be seen.

‘Look at the lovely woodcarvings.’ Carola pointed up the path to where a snail and a bear were carved from tree stumps still rooted in the ground. The trunks of the pine trees edging their way looked almost yellow in the daylight. As they climbed on, slipping and sliding as the trail grew steeper but no less snowy, they came across boards giving nature information and even cow bells that could be played with a stick. Finally the trees thinned and they came to St Jost, a clearing containing a tiny café, presently closed, and a church. The café’s pitched roof was thick with snow and the white-walled church had an unusual, bell-shaped tower and narrow gothic arched windows. The clearing was edged with more conifers in deepest green and the Eiger and Jungfrau mountains ranged the horizon like giants who’d paused to rest.

Isaac set Doggo free to dash in circles, spraying snow in his wake, ears flying and tongue lolling.

‘He’s a wag with a black-and-white dog attached.’ Lily laughed, watching Doggo roll exuberantly, pedalling his paws.

Isaac slowed his steps, which made Lily automatically do the same. He dropped his voice. ‘What are the plans after the singing gig at the Christmas market this evening?’

She shrugged. ‘Kirstin’s provided me a list of eating places but apparently it’s much cheaper to buy bratwurst and other goodies at the market.’

‘And then?’ Isaac asked patiently, his eyes fixed on her as they walked. ‘I’m hoping to separate you from the rest of the party and maybe doing something vaguely date-like.’

‘Oh!’ She flushed, feeling suddenly shy. ‘That would be lovely.’ Ahead, the others had strung out around the tiny white church and the tall wooden cross beside it. The teenagers were apparently not yet tired of throwing snowballs or finding untouched snow in which to leave a boot print and Neil, Franciszka and Carola strolled in their wake, chatting to Max who was pointing to the various peaks. ‘But what do we say to the others?’