“And Alix and Zac, too, of course. Oh my goodness, she’s off again—” Robyn ran after Holly who was following Suka through the snow.

“You heard her,” Christy said. “You have to come next Christmas.”

“She didn’t mean us,” Alix said. “She was being polite. Because we were standing here.”

“If we’re coming, you’re coming.” Seb was watching his daughter. “You don’t honestly think we can handle Holly on our own, do you? The minimum safe number of carers is four, but six makes it more comfortable for everyone. Add in Suka and we have a fighting chance of keeping her alive.”

Alix glanced at Zac. “Well, obviously we have no idea what—”

“No, we don’t.” Zac put his arm round her. “But whatever happens, we’ll come as friends. Alix can sleep on the sofa.”

“Thanks a lot. You have more experience of sleeping anywhere than I do.”

No doubt the exchange would have carried on, but Erik arrived carrying drinks.

“It’s Christmas, and it’s freezing cold,” he said, “but we should still drink a quick toast before we go inside and warm up.”

They all took a glass, and Robyn joined them, although she kept one eye on Holly.

“What are we going to drink to?”

Christy raised her glass. It wasn’t hard to know what to celebrate.

“To family and friends,” she said. “And the best Christmas ever.”

Epilogue

Robyn

“Oh that’s great news. The best. Congratulations!” Laughing into the phone, Robyn intercepted Erik’s quizzical look and waved him away. “Are you feeling well?...Mm... Good...Oh no, that won’t be a problem...Yes, I’m sure, but Erik and I can take Holly to give you a rest...Definitely not. Erik will meet you at the airport...A favor? Of course! Ask me anything.” She listened to Christy’s request and felt her heart swell. “I’d love that. I’ll try and make it happen, although I’ll need to talk to Erik, obviously...”

When she eventually got off the call, Erik put a cup of coffee in front of her and waited.

He was, she decided, the most patient man in the universe.

“That was Christy.”

“I gathered.” He made his own coffee and put it on the table. “Are you going to tell me, or am I going to have to ask?”

“She’s pregnant.”

Erik bent down to rub Suka behind the ears. “Do they have time for another one? Not that I’m an expert, but keeping Holly out of trouble seemed like a full-time job for at least two people.”

“They’ll manage. People do. And Holly will make a great big sister.” Robyn thought of Elizabeth and felt a pang. “Hopefully she’ll have a friend for life.”

“And what did you need to talk to me about?”

“She wants us to go over and stay in August when the baby is born. I can help her out and take care of Holly.” She gazed out the window at the snow-covered landscape and imagined an English village at the height of summer. Roses blooming around doorways, lawns neatly mowed and flower borders exploding with color. Christy and Seb’s cottage, with its thatched roof and quirky charm.