‘Yes,’ he said, ‘that’s exactly what I want. That’s why I said that you being made redundant couldn’t be better timed. You’re always on about fate and how it steps in to lend a hand when you most need it. Well, on this occasion, I think you might be right. We’ve been a couple for over two years now. It’s time we moved our relationship along and by December there’ll be absolutely nothing stopping you from coming with me and doing exactly that!’

I had to admit, I was always banging on about destiny and how things happened for a reason, but surely this was too fortuitous for words?

‘I’ve been wracking my brain on the plane home trying to work out how to convince you to give up your job,’ Jonathan carried on, ‘but I needn’t have bothered. This is meant to be, Hattie.’

‘Perhaps . . .’ I said, biting my lip.

‘You see,’ said Jonathan, turning his attention back to Dolly. ‘I’m not quite so selfish and self-centred as you might think.’

Dolly sniffed, but didn’t comment.

Jonathan’s mobile began to buzz and he rushed out of the kitchen to answer it, closing the door behind him.

‘Oh, my goodness, Dolly,’ I croaked. ‘I can’t believe it!’

I shook my head and took a swig from my glass, the bubbles tickling my nose and making me want to sneeze. Was it really possible that in less than two minutes Jonathan had waltzed in and magically solved all of my problems?

‘Abu Dhabi . . .’ I sighed dreamily.

‘I thought you didn’t like it?’

‘It was the strangeness of seeing Christmas in the sun I didn’t like,’ I told her. ‘Not that I’m all that bothered about it, as you know.’

That might not have been strictly true, it wasn’t just the sight of a scorching Santa which had jarred, the city had felt different too, but then it would, wouldn’t it, because it was. Perhaps fate was suggesting I should give the place a second chance? Maybe it was time to try something completely new and, as Jonathan had suggested, move our relationship along.

‘You aren’t really thinking of saying yes, are you?’ Dolly frowned. ‘At least not straightaway?’

‘I don’t know,’ I said, shaking my head. ‘It’s all such a shock.’

‘A culture shock,’ Dolly said cautiously. ‘Taking a holiday is one thing but settling in another country would be a completely different kettle of fish. You need to think this through very carefully. I mean, until Jonathan just made his announcement, you’ve never mentioned any desire to live abroad.’

‘I’m beginning to think you don’t want me to go,’ I pouted. ‘Not ten minutes ago you were telling me to take this redundancy as an opportunity to make some changes to my life.’