He slid his arm around her, enjoying the closeness even through their down-filled coats. ‘Is that how it feels?’ It caused a tug in his heart.

She slid her arm around him too. ‘That’s how it is.’ They tramped in silence for a minute, boots clomping on the pavement before she added, ‘It’s good to see them contented. I’m more and more inclined to leave things as they are. There are worse things to be than friends with your brothers.’

He thought about it as they bore left again, still going downhill, towards a place he’d researched online this morning when she’d been off doing her stuff at the Food, Lifestyle & Health show. ‘Is this because of Zinnia?’

‘Not because she’s gone into a giant sulk about Tubb and Garrick. It’s more that my transparency with her caused trouble. At the moment, I have a good relationship with my brothers but if I tell them who I am, I have no idea how they’ll react. Also—’ Lily gave a little skip ‘—I’m leaning more towards staying in Middledip. Zinnia’s backed off and is feeling remorseful for hurting me. Mum and Patsie are having problems but it doesn’t seem to be my fault. I don’t even know if Tubb will come back to live in the village.’ She sighed, then she managed another smile. ‘My quest’s over. The ending isn’t quite what I once hoped for but that doesn’t make it a bad result.’ She transferred her gaze to a structure dripping in Christmas lights and with an outdoor area where the illumination was ultra blue. ‘Is that where we’re heading?’

‘It’s a skating rink next to the lake. I know you’re not up to skating with your injured hand but there’s a bar and Doggo can go in. I found it online this morning.’ They paused at the lake for Doggo to drink the ice-cold water noisily then crossed the final road and joined a path across a footbridge edged in yellow lanterns.

‘Stunning,’ Lily breathed, the lanterns reflecting like floating gold in her eyes.

The blue lights illuminated an ice-skating rink currently populated by a gaggle of children bundled up in coats and hats and two teenagers flicking around a puck with hockey sticks. Lily’s smile returned to full power as she watched. ‘Look at the little ones pushing plastic penguins along to help them balance!’

‘Fantastic,’ he replied, looking at her instead.

After watching the children for a few minutes they went indoors to a busy bar. They hung up their coats and Isaac got the drinks while Lily found a small table. The bar was alive with customers of every age from eighteen to eighty and Isaac had to fight his way back.