‘That’s very kind,’ said Dolly, ‘but I don’t think I will today. It’s a bit too cold out there for me and most likely slippery underfoot.’

‘How about you then?’ Angus asked me hopefully. ‘Beamish knows his way around and I’m sure Anna will have some wellington boots you could borrow.’

‘Of course,’ said Anna, jumping up. ‘Come with me,’ she commanded, pulling me out of the chair. ‘I daresay we’re the same size and if we’re not there’ll be some here that’ll more or less fit with a pair of boot socks.’

By the time Beamish and I set off it was rather dark, but it didn’t matter as everywhere was so prettily lit. It was freezing though and I was grateful for the loan of a country tweed coat and thick gloves.

‘Has Dolly enjoyed herself, do you think?’ Beamish asked, striding ahead with me struggling a little to keep up.

We might have been matched in height but he could easily outpace me, especially over the ice.

‘Sorry,’ he said, slowing down and then, disconcertingly linking arms. ‘It’s not too slippery, but I’ll keep you on your feet should you start to go over.’

‘I’m certain she’s had an amazing time,’ I told him, ejecting the image of us landing in the snow together. ‘She was just thanking Angus for the Christmas tree. It really was wonderful of you to arrange all this for her.’

‘For both of you,’ he said. ‘I did it for both of you.’

‘Well thank you,’ I carried on, looking about me as we left the more formal part of the garden and headed over to what looked like the start of the woodland trail. ‘I’ve had a great time too.’

‘This Christmas Wish List was an inspired idea,’ he said.

‘It was,’ I agreed, although I still regretted Dolly’s addition about getting back in touch with my parents.

‘It’s all too easy to go through life not noticing things, isn’t it? I mean, lots of things you’ve added to the list I take a bit for granted now, but having seen them through your eyes, I’ve appreciated them so much more this time around.’

‘Really?’

‘Yes,’ he nodded. ‘Really.’

‘I guess it’s the simple things in life that really matter, isn’t it?’

‘Absolutely,’ he agreed. ‘Accumulating stuff is all well and good for some, but personally I prefer to put my efforts into making memories and having experiences.’

I had surmised that much about him before. Jonathan and his love of material possessions, and how he always used them to try and either end an argument or make someone feel special, popped into my head again, along with my earlier determination to tell Beamish all about him, but now I found I didn’t want to.

‘Don’t you agree, Hattie?’

‘I do.’