Lily had been feeling slight butterflies, not just because approaching Los’s house brought forcibly to mind the days she’d spent in the annexe with Isaac. It was meeting Los again in view of the job on the horizon – a job that seemed almost too good to be true. Los, though, was a great host. He welcomed Lily with a kiss on each cheek and a firm, ‘You’ll find a few people from British Country Foods amongst the company this evening but we leave business until tomorrow, yes?’

‘Marvellous,’ Lily agreed gladly and was able to settle down to enjoying herself without feeling she was supposed to be networking. Stephen, who she knew from her last visit, was there with his partner, but otherwise she wasn’t always aware whether those she met were potential colleagues or not.

The meat fondue was delicious and she ate more than she’d thought possible after Boxing Day Pie. Dugal and Keir ate so many marshmallows dipped in chocolate that Lily thought they’d burst.

Finally the children were so tired that Ona said to Max, ‘We need to get them home.’

Tubb and Janice were ready to go too, Tubb tiring easily these days, and so Lily thanked Los and Tanja and joined the procession for the short walk back. A thin veil of snow was falling, muffling the sounds around them as it drifted softly from the dark sky between star-like lights strung above. It was like an advert for a magical Christmas holiday in the mountains. Lily fell silent, admiring the even carpets of white on the chalet roofs, thinking ahead to Garrick picking her up to meet with Los tomorrow and whether the trousers and jacket she’d packed would be right for the occasion.

As they turned into the drive in front of Max and Ona’s house, she heard vague exclamations and a surprised laugh, with Max saying, ‘This is an unexpected pleasure. Lily, did you know we were to have an extra guest?’

‘No?’ She tried to see past Ona and Janice, who were both turning to grin at her. Then she caught sight of the tall man on Max’s doorstep, woollen hat pulled down over his ears, standing very still and gazing at her. ‘Isaac!’ she gasped. ‘How did you get here?’

‘Plane from London City to Zürich, train to Biberbrugg and taxi here.’ One corner of his mouth quirked up. ‘I brought your Christmas present.’ He pointed to a gift-wrapped box balanced on top of his rucksack in the porch.

‘More presents!’ Dugal hollered, suddenly fully awake.

Isaac crouched down to pat his head. ‘Sorry, mate. There’s only this one. Santa left it in England for Lily by mistake.’ He shifted his gaze to Lily. ‘Probably she forgot to tell him she was coming here.’

‘Aw, OK,’ sighed Dugal, while Lily’s cheeks burned at the dig.