I watched Dylan as he walked ahead of us with his brothers, deep in conversation. I couldn’t help but feel disappointed. But then what did I expect after I left? A long-term relationship? I laughed at myself. As if that ever had a chance. No, this was fun, a holiday romance. Surely I knew that from the start?

Then why did I feel so disappointed?

Rhonda followed my gaze and leant in close to me. ‘But maybe you’ll be different,’ she whispered. ‘I have a feeling you might be.’ Her little boy came running up to her and she swept him up in her arms, swinging him around. ‘Who knows, maybe you’ll have one of these little munchkins with Dylan one day and that’ll be the end of your lie-ins!’

‘Jesus, steady on,’ I said.

Mairi walked over to me and pointed upwards. ‘Look,’ she said in a low voice. I followed her gaze to see a snowy owl perched on the tree above us, partly hidden by the leaves and snow. She contemplated us with her blinking eyes.

I lifted my camera in excitement. ‘What a coincidence.’

‘Quite,’ Mairi replied. She put her finger to her mouth and gestured for the others to be quiet. I beckoned Heather over and crouched down. ‘Just stay still and quiet,’ I whispered as I placed the camera on her shoulder, showing her how to use it. Her eyes lit up as she did as I asked.

Everyone watched in awe as we filmed the snowy owl, the silence in the forest eerie. Then a branch cracked and the owl twitched its wings before flying off. I quickly helped Heather tip the camera up to film its ascent.

‘That’s a cut,’ I said, taking the camera off Heather’s shoulder and turning it off. ‘You’re a natural.’ Everyone clapped and I laughed. ‘Wow, I don’t think I’ve ever had a response like that before.’

We continued to walk for the next hour. I keep an eye out for pine martens, the animal I really wanted to film, but they were good at keeping themselves hidden.

‘I think Alfie’s had enough,’ Rhonda said as she looked down at her miserable-looking son.

‘Yes, I think it’s time to head back,’ Mairi said.

‘How does a slow-cooked hot chocolate heaped with marshmallows and cream sound to you all?’ Oscar asked.

‘As tempting as that sounds,’ Dylan said, ‘I think Gwyneth and I will give it a miss. I want to show you my workshop,’ he said to me.

Glenn and Rhonda raised their eyebrows at each other.

We waved goodbye to the others as they walked down the hill then Dylan led me in the opposite direction. He looked over his shoulder as the sound of his family’s voices disappeared then quickly pulled me towards him, pressing his cold lips against mine.