When Garrick returned he was back in convivial host mode. ‘I’m to invite you to see the Samichlaus parade this evening. I can’t tell you much about it because it will be my first too, but would you all like to come to Max’s for something to eat first? My brother and Janice are hosting.’ He turned to Isaac. ‘You don’t have to take the minibus if you fancy a beer or two. It’s only a twenty-minute walk to the crossroads where we’ll watch the parades converging.’

Everyone around the table was up for it. Garrick fell to discussing something with Neil and Lily turned to Isaac in the seat across from hers. ‘Had a good morning?’

He nodded eagerly, dark hair falling into his eyes. ‘The outdoor living segment of this show’s brilliant. And everyone speaks such fantastic English. I’ve been chatting about boots, tents and all that fascinating stuff.’ His eyes laughed at himself but his enthusiasm was obvious.

‘That does sound fascinating.’ She grinned back but had to force it over a sudden sinking of her heart. It was a reminder that once the fate of The Three Fishes was sealed in a month or two Isaac would be getting the hell out of town. Pastures new. Fresh challenges. Career change. It made her both sad to know their ‘thing’ couldn’t last and more focused on enjoying it while she could. She spoke her next thought aloud. ‘Time’s a funny thing, isn’t it? The good parts go by so fast.’

Isaac’s eyes narrowed. ‘What brought that on?’

She flushed, not wanting to share her thought process, especially at a table full of Middletones. She shrugged. ‘Just thinking about the whole trip. How so much of my time’s been taken up with plans and logistics and how I want to savour every moment. I’m glad that you’re enjoying it too.’

His smile held a suggestion of heat. ‘It’s getting better and better.’

Later, in the early evening, she, Isaac and Franciszka crunched through fresh snow to Max’s house in Terrassenweg. As well as the Middletones, Garrick, Eleanor, Myla and Xander joined Max’s family for supper. Tubb and Janice hosted while Max tried to calm Dugal and Keir who were excited by so many people and so much nice food. Ona looked wan and fed up, rubbing her large round abdomen and grumbling that she’d be glad when the baby was safely born. She’d had to visit the hospital with bleeding but they’d let her out again for now.

‘Samichlaus came to our door!’ Dugal kept bellowing. ‘Mummy gave him money and he gave us nuts and satsumas.’