Lily was about to remind everyone that they had a day off tomorrow and were to visit Zürich when Franciszka turned to her. ‘I won’t be back to the annexe tonight.’ She winked. ‘I hinted to Eddie it was a shame he wasn’t sharing the room of Alfie and Warwick, so he asked his father if he could.’ A sly smile spread across her face. ‘Who wants to share with their father while their friends laugh and joke in another room?’

A mini shockwave tingled through Lily. ‘So you’ll be …?’

‘Sharing with Neil.’ Franciszka’s eyes reflected the myriad Christmas lights suspended over the crossroads. ‘A little happiness for us both.’ She winked again and turned to join Neil, waiting a few yards away.

Wow. Lily stared after her, impressed at Franciszka’s pragmatism. A little happiness for us both. She thought about Tubb and Janice living separate, slightly lonely lives until they found each other last Christmas. And her mothers, together for nearly forty years yet now apart. Carola, miserable now her new love had foundered. Her own marriage, which had begun promisingly but fizzled out.

Happiness didn’t always come along at a convenient time and it wasn’t always permanent.

The group split up and Isaac and Lily set off in the same direction as Tubb, Janice, and the two suddenly sleepy boys, Max with Keir again on his shoulders and Isaac taking Dugal piggyback.

The night was icy now and they had to watch their footing, even in boots. At Max’s house Lily and Isaac reclaimed Doggo and said goodnight. As they tramped further up the hill Lily took Isaac’s hand and he smiled down at her, Christmas lights from the houses around flickering behind his head. His hat was pulled down over his ears and he had a decided five-o’clock shadow. His gloved hand squeezed hers and his voice was low and rough. ‘Did I see Franciszka heading for the Little Apartments? How long do you think we have?’

She sent him a sidelong glance. ‘All night.’ When his eyebrows shot up she repeated what Franciszka had told her. ‘I like the idea of a little happiness,’ she added.

Isaac stopped and kissed her slowly and thoroughly, his mouth warm and tender. ‘So do I,’ he whispered. ‘Let’s grab it.’

Chapter Seventeen

Unspeaking, breathing fast, they hurried up to Los’s gracious white house, windows lit behind the blinds, a Christmas tree twinkling from the upper balcony, and took the path where the snow lay like a carpet on either side. Isaac unlocked the door and let Doggo off the lead. Doggo shook, trotted to his bowls to see if any food had appeared in his absence, slurped up a little water and looked at Isaac.

Isaac pointed at Doggo’s bed. ‘’Night, Doggo.’ Doggo waved goodnight with his tail and flopped down with a yawn.