‘Phew.’ Lily felt almost overwhelmed. But she needed a job, Switzerland looked a fantastic place to live, and her reasons for staying in the village were shrinking. She even had a moment to conjecture that if she left, Duncan could move into her apartment until he got himself sorted out. With a long slow breath in to steady herself she said, ‘That all sounds fantastic. I can’t wait.’

When the call was over she sat back, mind in a whirl. It was happening. She was going back to Switzerland to investigate a new life. After another cup of coffee and more biscuits to calm herself down she called her mums and sister to tell them where she’d be, getting quite excited as she explained. Then she raced off to brave the shops to buy small Christmas gifts that would go in her case for Tubb and Garrick and everyone because she couldn’t possibly turn up empty-handed.

Once home again, she packed, deciding to slip away without fanfare because Carola and her other friends all had their own Christmas plans anyway.

But, still, her mind turned to Isaac. Should she ring him too? It seemed appallingly rude not to. But then … Hayley. Bad news. Back to the hospital. A call might be intrusive. Then, while she was wrestling with these thoughts, she received a text from him. I wanted to return your call this evening but Mum and Dad have turned up. Argh! Will try later or tomorrow morning before hospital appointment. Things are a bit crazy. Hayley very emotional. xx

She gazed at the phone, trying to imagine seeing him and explaining her decision. It seemed trivial compared to everything else and would give him an additional thing to deal with when he so obviously had enough on his plate. She texted back: I have plans tomorrow. Don’t worry about me. I know you have a lot happening with Hayley and with Christmas at the pub. Her conscience twinged that she wouldn’t be there to help him with Christmas lunch but she could make the chocolate mousses and gingerbread people tomorrow afternoon and leave them in the fridge. The Christmas puddings were bought in ready-made and would only need heating.

Rather than bother Isaac with the staff rota she texted Baz to offer him her shifts while she was away. Baz had seriously overspent and was happy to take them.

Then she returned to the half-composed text to Isaac and rounded it out: I hope it goes well tomorrow at the hospital, and added two kisses to match his. She didn’t go back to her packing with quite the same gusto because the knowledge that she was getting further away from Isaac all the time encased her heart like ice.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Isaac drove back from the hospital while Hayley sobbed.