The little town of Wynbridge was heaving that evening and Beamish was lucky to find a parking space. He had insisted on driving Dolly and me in and had made a great show of opening the back door of the truck, telling Dolly that I preferred not to sit in the front. I smiled sweetly and climbed in knowing that if I tried to explain then I’d never hear the last of it, from either of them.

‘Don’t feel obliged to stick with me, Hattie dear,’ Dolly said as we made our way amongst the crowd towards the market which had stayed open and looked to have a few extra festive stalls. ‘I’ve promised to help on the WI stand, so you can go off and explore if you like.’

‘I might in a while,’ I told her. I felt a bit out of place among the throng who all seemed to know one another and met with hugs and smiles. ‘I’ll see how I feel if that’s all right.’

‘Of course,’ said Dolly, waving to a woman who I guessed was calling her name. It was a job to hear anything above the rousing chorus of the Salvation Army band. ‘Whatever you like.’

‘Here you are, Dolly!’ said the woman, handing her an apron the second we reached her. ‘We were hoping you would make it. How are you feeling?’

‘I’m fine,’ said Dolly dismissively. ‘It was just a cold and I’m over it now. Hattie, this is Catherine Connelly. She owns the country pile, Wynthorpe Hall and I suppose she’s the closest to gentry the town has got.’

‘Oh Dolly,’ tutted Catherine, ‘you are naughty. I’m pleased to meet you, Hattie. Dolly tells me you’re going to be spending the run-up to Christmas with her before you move abroad.’

I flushed as I remembered my promise to Jonathan that I would try and cut my visit short and how I had glossed over his mention of it during our telephone conversation the evening before. I knew I wouldn’t be able to get away with doing that for much longer and felt my face redden to what must have been a deep shade of crimson.

‘Hopefully,’ I said, meaning my visit rather than my move. The move was definitely happening.

Dolly looked at me quizzically but didn’t comment.

‘Well, we have plenty going on at the hall during the next few weeks,’ said Catherine. ‘It would be lovely if you could come along. We’re expanding our Winter Wonderland this year and of course there are the sleigh rides around the grounds.’

‘Perhaps,’ I said, cutting her off before she got carried away. ‘I don’t much go in for Christmas, I’m afraid.’

‘Don’t go in for Christmas!’ cried a voice behind me. ‘Whatever next!’

‘Here you are, Hattie,’ said Dolly, ‘here’s a familiar face.’