A cheer went up around her, and Nory was dragged back to reality by the unified shouting of “One! Two! Three!” before the enormous fir tree spangled into life in an explosion of fairy lights. The air was filled with whoops and cheers, and beneath them the brass band struck up and the gospel choir began to sing “Deck the Halls.” Nory cast her eyes sideways and saw Ameerah pulled in close to Dev, his arms around her waist as he whispered something in her ear that made her laugh softly. On the other side of her, her dad had one arm slung loosely across her mum’s shoulders. The snow was falling harder, much to the joy of the children all around them, giving the tree the glittery, indistinct twinkle of a snow-globe tableau.

The pull toward Isaac grew too strong to ignore, and she found herself walking over to him in spite of herself. He watched her as though he had expected her, as if he had summoned her. She reached him and stopped, the toes of their boots almost touching. He hadn’t taken his eyes off her, and they bore into her now, dark hickory irises and thick black lashes. Without a word, he reached his arms around her, closing the gap between them, and pressed his mouth to hers. In the far reaches of her mind, a thought that people would be watching tried to make itself heard, but the sensation of Isaac’s lips on hers left no room for other considerations.

When they pulled apart, the crowd had thinned a little, drawn by the warmth offered by the pubs and café. The brass band had stopped playing to consume the trays of steaming mulled wine presented to them by one of the landladies, and the choir had the limelight to themselves as they belted out “The First Noel.” Nory’s senses returned, and she glanced about her. But if any of her family had noticed her and Isaac pashing on the green, they’d made themselves scarce now. Nory was relieved she wouldn’t have to deal with their teasing right away.

“Um, would you like to come to the wedding tomorrow as my plus-one?” she asked, feeling a little nervous.

“And how would the celebrity bride feel about having the gardener at her wedding?”

“It was her idea,” said Nory, and then added quickly, “but I’d really like you to come.”

“In that case, yes.” Isaac smiled. “It’ll be nice to spend a whole day with you.”

Nory felt so pleased she wanted to do a “Woo-hoo!” but she held it in.

“And now I’d like to ask you something,” Isaac said, his eyes becoming hooded, his nostrils flaring ever so slightly.

“Yes?” she asked, her knees quivering in anticipation.

“Would you like to come back to my cottage right now?”

“Yes, please!” she gushed while thinking, What’s happening to me? My bosoms are actually heaving!