If I had to choose between the presents Jonathan had showered me with or the excited expressions on the children’s faces during the school fair or the thrill of seeing Wynthorpe Hall dressed for the festive season, then I was certain which I would go for.

‘I’m sorry about the sleigh ride,’ Beamish said, ‘that would have been a great memory to take away with you. Perhaps we could come back at the weekend and look around the Wonderland together? By this time tomorrow everything will be in place and looking beautiful. This is where the reindeer are going to go,’ he added, pointing to a fenced-off area.

‘Reindeer,’ I gasped. ‘Really?’

‘Oh yes,’ he smiled. ‘There are even polar bears in the grotto in the garden.’

‘You’re teasing,’ I said, pulling my arm away from his, but he wouldn’t let me go.

‘No, I’m not,’ he laughed, ‘granted they’re animatronic, but they’re there. I’ll show you on the way back, but the reindeer are real. I promise. Last year there was a calf too.’

‘Oh, how lovely.’

Walking around the trail, the path lit to guide the way, I could well imagine just how enchanting it would all be and my own little festive flame shone brighter in the darkness as a result.

‘I know it’s the bake sale and auction in town on Saturday,’ I said, ‘but if you think there’ll be time to come out here on Sunday, that would be wonderful.’

‘I’m sure we can manage it,’ said Beamish, ‘and if not then, then perhaps the weekend after. Angus and Catherine decided last year that one weekend wasn’t long enough, given the effort of setting up and dismantling, so this year they’re going to open for two. They’ll be stretched to the limit, but they’ll pull it off.’

I was sure they would. What a truly wonderful place to live Wynbridge and Wynthorpe Hall was. I took back what I’d thought about Anna being too besotted when I first talked to her because I could see now exactly why she had fallen head over heels for it all. Had I been single . . .

I was shocked by the thought and hastily snuffed it out. The sooner I saw Jonathan again the better. If I wasn’t careful this place and certain folk who lived here were going to turn my head and I didn’t want it turned. I was going to marry Jonathan and I was going to build a new life in Abu Dhabi. It was what we had decided, it was what fate had lined up for me.

‘Where’s that light coming from?’ I asked, pointing ahead.

‘Oh Hattie,’ smiled Beamish, ‘with your love of wishes, you’re going to adore this.’