‘But now it’s mended,’ said Dad, looking at Mum and smiling. ‘So, let’s do what Hattie is suggesting and move on love, yes?’

Mum nodded and blew her nose.

‘And now you’re with Beamish,’ she sniffed.

She and Dad had both seemed quite taken with him and I could hardly blame them. I was pretty smitten myself.

‘Yes,’ I sighed happily, ‘now I’m with Beamish and I know it looks like I’ve leapt from one relationship and straight into another.’

Dad shook his head and I stopped.

‘What?’

‘You don’t have to justify anything to us,’ he said, putting an arm around me. ‘We’re just relieved to have you back in our lives and see you so happy.’

‘You are happy, aren’t you?’ Mum asked.

‘Extremely happy!’ I laughed. ‘I can’t believe I’m staying here in Wynbridge and I’ve got two jobs lined up.’

I explained that Dolly was also leaving me the cottage and it was every bit as much of a shock to my parents as it had been to me.

‘She’s also leaving me a little money,’ I told them. ‘Obviously I’ll need to establish a regular income but I’ll manage and I’m delighted to be working in the school.’

‘And being able to study as you work is a real blessing,’ added Dad. ‘You’ve obviously made quite an impression here, love, and of course, we’ve got a little tucked away for you should you need it.’

‘Have you?’

‘Yes,’ said Mum, leaning across and kissing my cheek. ‘There’s a little nest egg should you want to dip into it. We set it up when you left home and moved into the hotel.’

I didn’t know what to say.

‘Well I don’t think I’ll need it,’ I told them both, ‘but it’s good to know it’s there. Thank you so much. I can’t tell you how happy I am to have you both back in my life.’

‘And we’re happy to have you back too,’ smiled Mum. ‘You probably don’t realise it, but our lives just didn’t work without you, Hattie. There was a very big chunk missing from both of our hearts.’

‘But not anymore,’ said Dad.

‘Never again,’ I said firmly.

They were getting ready to leave when Beamish and Dolly came back from church, with the promised candle and sweet studded orange.

‘Won’t you stay for tea?’ asked Dolly.

Her face was pinched from the cold and Beamish insisted she sat next to the fire to warm up.

‘Best not,’ said Dad. ‘It’s a bit of a trek and what with it being Christmas day tomorrow, we need to get back to get the sprouts on.’

‘You cheeky thing,’ flushed Mum. ‘They won’t be going on until first light.’