Dolly left a little while later and I indulged in a far lazier start to the day than usual while mulling over the best route around the square which could keep me furthest away from the greenery sale. Not that, given what he’d said, I was really expecting Beamish to attempt another kiss, but it was better to be safe than sorry.

I sang along with the radio as I made my breakfast, almost wishing it really could be Christmas every day, and then had a long bath. I had the feeling that this weekend was going to be the pinnacle of my stay in Wynbridge. Whether that was because there was so much going on, because I was feeling relieved that my parents hadn’t responded to my card and I wouldn’t have to tell Jonathan what they’d said about it, or because I’d finally rediscovered my love of Christmas, I couldn’t be sure, but I was feeling happier than I had in a very long time.

Happily humming away, I styled my hair into a messy bun, piled on plenty of insulating layers, added a swipe of rose-tinted lip gloss, (more a concession to the Wynbridge wind than vanity), and was good to go.

‘See you later, Tiddles,’ I called over my shoulder as I grabbed my cottage key and bag and opened the door.

‘I seriously hope that isn’t a new nickname for Dolly,’ said a voice I recognised.

‘Jonathan,’ I gasped. ‘Oh my god! What on earth are you doing here?’

I couldn’t believe my eyes. I stood, rooted to the spot and feeling rocked to my very core. I blinked, twice, and looked again. He was still there.

‘Freezing on the doorstep at the moment,’ he half smiled. ‘Are you going to let me in?’

‘Yes,’ I said, taking a step back. ‘Of course, yes. Crikey. Sorry. It’s just such a shock to see you. I can’t believe it.’

‘A good shock, I hope?’ He frowned.

I realised that I hadn’t leapt on him, thrown my arms around him or smothered him in passionate kisses, each, if not all of which, were most likely the reactions he had been expecting, but the shock of opening the door and finding him standing there had halted me in my tracks.

‘Of course, it’s a good one,’ I laughed, putting my key and bag back on the table and reaching out to him.

‘I was rather hoping that you’d throw yourself at me,’ he said, confirming my thoughts as he looked into my eyes and wrapped me in his arms, ‘but I can see now that you obviously haven’t got the energy.’