The next day, Boxing Day, we woke early. We had another fine breakfast then everyone got their winter gear on to head up into the mountains. As we waited, I showed Heather how to use the camera, giving her some tips. Maybe we’d be able to use some of her footage in the documentary? The thought made me smile, to do something like that for her, just as Reg had helped me.

When we headed out, the skies were bright blue, the winter sun making the snow around us sparkle. As I looked towards the loch, I let out a gasp. The ‘ice pancakes’ that had dominated it the day before had now formed into chunks of jagged ice, ridges piled on top of each other.

‘That’s stunning,’ I said, hoisting my camera onto my shoulder and filming it. A bird swooped over it and I followed its descent as it landed on one of the jagged shards. I filmed it for a while then followed the others towards the forest at the back of the house. It was a small forest, more a copse. But the trees within it were tall and snow-laden, adding to the festive feel. We tramped through it, Oscar’s two dogs shooting off into the vast white.

Rhonda fell into step beside me. ‘You and Dylan seem to be getting close,’ she said.

I smiled. ‘I thought we were being rather clandestine.’

‘You think Cole didn’t sneak me off to the library during past Christmases?’ We both laughed. ‘You can’t go far wrong with a McClusky man. Strong, hard-working and great in bed.’ I felt a flush spread across my cheeks and she laughed. ‘Well, I’m assuming Dylan will be anyway if he’s like his brother,’ she added with a wink.

‘We haven’t got quite that far,’ I said, smiling at how open she was being.

‘That surprises me actually. Dylan doesn’t usually waste any time.’

I tried to keep my face neutral as I stared up at the trees. ‘Really?’

She nodded. ‘He dated a friend of mine once, met her while visiting Cole at university. Was years ago. Swept her completely off her feet, they were at it day and night within twenty-four hours of meeting.’

‘Bit of a ladies’ man then?’ I asked, doing my best to avoid irritation creeping into my voice.

She thought about it. ‘No, not a ladies’ man per se. More a very passionate man who knows what he wants. Ended in tears, of course. As it always does when Dylan’s involved.’

‘What happened?’

Rhonda sighed, pulling a leather glove off and stretching her petite body up to reach for a pinecone. ‘Dylan was staying for a couple of weeks. My friend gave him her number, her address, assumed they’d keep in touch. But she didn’t hear anything from him. She was gutted.’