Over the next two hours, Cole and I talked about our jobs. It seemed he’d always known he’d move into his father’s business, and he had studied business and accounts at the University of Edinburgh with the intention of bringing his knowledge to the family company. I got the impression he’d made the most of the three years he spent in Edinburgh, several hours’ drive away from his family. There was a sparkle in his eye when he talked about that time, especially when he told me about meeting Rhonda a few months before he graduated while she was studying English Literature at the university. They were married a couple of years later when Cole was well on his way to making himself indispensable at the family firm.

‘It’s been busy lately,’ he said, poking at the fire to keep it going. ‘What with Dad taking a step back.’

‘Is he okay?’

‘He had a heart scare last year,’ he said with a sigh. ‘The doctors called it a silent heart attack. It happened without him knowing, but he grew fatigued after, like a flu he couldn’t shake off. After some tests and a scan, they discovered what had happened. He didn’t want to, but we’ve all made him step back.’ He looked back towards the kitchen. Glenn and Dylan were nursing whiskies as they talked to one another. ‘Dylan’s been a godsend. Dad’s always liked to be hands-on like Dylan, visiting sites, even helping build the house. Dylan’s taken on a lot of that. Even meant putting a pause on his own business.’

I frowned. ‘What business?’

‘The wood carvings.’

‘He said that was a hobby.’

‘I suppose it is now, the business has taken so much of his time up.’

I followed his gaze towards Dylan. He’d given up his own business for his father. ‘Wow, that’s quite something,’ I said.

‘Yeah, well, my brother is quite something. Annoying as hell but quite something.’

We both fell into silence, sipping the teas we’d made earlier. Then Cole looked at his watch. ‘Nearly two hours. I think our shift is up soon. I’ve enjoyed it,’ he said with a smile. ‘I hope we all get to see more of you, Gwyneth. It doesn’t feel right you might be leaving tomorrow and we’ll never see you again.’

I kept my eyes on Dylan who was now watching me and Cole, a serious look on his handsome face. I took a deep breath, wrapping my arms around myself as cold mist bloomed from my mouth. Heather approached Dylan in the kitchen, leaning close as she told him something.

‘You look cold,’ Cole said. ‘Why don’t you head in now? I can man the fort until the next shift.’

‘You sure?’

‘Sure.’

‘I was going to make another hot drink,’ I said as I stood. ‘Shall I bring you one out?’