I laughed. ‘You really do sound like a date show host!’

He shrugged. ‘I can’t lie, I love a good romance story.’

‘It’s only been one night. We haven’t really talked about it.’

‘He’s smitten with you, it’s clear.’ His face grew serious. ‘Hekla was right in what she said in there though, about your job. You going to be able to manage a relationship with all your travelling?’

I placed my coffee down and leant in towards Cole. ‘Ah, now I see why you were trying to draw comparisons between me and Hekla. Talk about protective brother!’

‘Seriously though?’ And he was serious, his blue eyes on mine. ‘It might be difficult holding serious relationships down?’

I thought about it. ‘In the past, yes. But with Dylan, it feels so different. For the first time, I feel I can have both: the career and the relationship.’ I felt myself growing excited. ‘For example, I know Dylan likes to travel. He wants to do more of it. Maybe he could come on shoots with me, do woodwork on the way and sell what he makes?’ Cole’s face darkened. ‘God, sorry,’ I quickly added. ‘I know you need him in the business. It’s just a pipe dream. We haven’t talked about it, of course we haven’t! If things do work out, I guess we’d need to find a middle way.’

‘And that is?’

I shrugged. ‘UK-based shoots for me? That way, Dylan can stay in Scotland.’

‘And you’d be happy with that? You were just talking about travelling the world together.’

The fire crackled, sending orange embers flying into the air. ‘Maybe it’s time for me to take a break from all that.’ And as I said it, I realised it really was time. ‘In fact, I’ve provisionally signed up for a new documentary filming in Finland in the summer. But I think I might just turn it down.’

Cole arched an eyebrow. ‘Interesting.’ He looked at his watch. ‘I better start making a move – my plane sets off in a few hours.’

We both stood up. ‘It’s been good to see you,’ I said, ‘even if it has been brief.’

He smiled. ‘You too. So what now for you? Back to London?’

I looked out at the snowy landscape. Something inside me told me I wasn’t ready to go home just yet. I shrugged. ‘Who knows?’

‘Hopefully we’ll see you in Scotland before too long.’

‘Maybe.’

As I said that, Dylan walked into the room with Asher.

‘Time to go?’ Dylan asked Cole.

Cole exchanged a look with Asher then nodded. ‘Yep, a short and sweet visit.’ He strode over to Asher and shook his hand. ‘It’s been good seeing you, Asher, and seeing this beautiful house.’

‘A beautiful house you two made possible,’ he said, smiling at the two brothers. ‘Give my love to your parents.’