Lily found she was trembling as Max and Ona stamped the snow from their boots and ushered everyone into their home. Isaac gave Ona a hug and shook Max’s hand. ‘Don’t worry that I’ve come expecting hospitality. I’ve booked a hotel room. Congratulations on becoming parents again.’ He smiled at Ainsley, who was just beginning to whinge about it being his feed time.

Max and Ona took the boys upstairs but Tubb resisted as Janice tugged discreetly at his sleeve. ‘So what’s happening with my pub while you’re out here playing Santa Claus?’ he demanded.

Isaac didn’t even look at him. ‘It’s only a friggin’ pub! There are more important things.’

As Tubb gaped at this heresy, Janice linked his arm and steered him away. ‘He’s right. You and I have already come to the same realisation or we wouldn’t be here. You left him in charge. I expect he’s left Tina at the helm. It is only a pub.’

Tubb dug his toes in again, this time demanding of Lily, ‘Are you OK with him being here?’

Dumbly, Lily nodded.

Finally, Tubb let himself be towed away. Then at last there was just Lily and Isaac in the living area, the Christmas tree lights winking merrily as the door closed. She licked her lips. ‘I haven’t seen you get snappy before.’

‘I’m human, same as anyone. You and Tubb have made it up?’ When she nodded he said, ‘Good.’ He came no closer but his body heat seemed to bridge the gap between them, luring her like the Sirens’ song lured sailors onto rocks.

She resisted its pull. ‘How’s Hayley? Was her bad news very bad? Is it OK for you to have left her so you can come here?’

He frowned. ‘She didn’t have bad news – thankfully it was good. No sign of the cancer spreading and no further treatment. In time she’ll have further surgery to complete the reconstruction but she’s on her way back to normal life.’

Lily was stunned. ‘But I rang your phone and she was sobbing about the histology results!’

His brows shot up. ‘She hadn’t got her results at that point. What was upsetting her was that her appointment to hear her report was postponed until the following day because the consultant was called away. The extra wait got to her. She’s been super-emotional throughout her ordeal, which she can be forgiven for.’

Lily gaped at him. At the darkness of his eyes and the weariness around them. ‘She’s going to be OK?’

Realisation dawned in his eyes. ‘That’s what it was,’ he said slowly. ‘When you rang and she was emotional you assumed she’d had bad news. You gave up on me.’