‘I only arrived last night but I’ve already made a new friend in Dolores, and I’ve a day of exploring ahead of me before I start work on Monday at The Lakehouse.’

‘Did you pass the initiation test?’ Rona raised an eyebrow.

‘I can confirm that I got all my Dolly questions correct, with a little help from Callie.’

They all chuckled as Felicity handed over a white box wrapped up with a pink ribbon. ‘Dolores’ cake.’

‘And The Lakehouse – has business picked up?’ questioned Rona, with a look of concern on her face. ‘The last I heard was that Flynn was finding it difficult to fill the tables.’

‘Really? I don’t know anything about that.’ Ella’s first thought was, if business wasn’t booming, how long would her job last?

Rona must have noticed the look on Ella’s face. ‘I’m sure there’s nothing to worry about. Flynn is a businessman, and if anyone can make that place work, it will be him. Sometimes these things take time to get off the ground,’ added Rona, bending down and giving McCartney a dog biscuit from the jar at the far end of the counter. ‘And we hope you settle in quickly. Once you arrive in Heartcross…’

‘… You are here for good,’ Ella chuckled, finishing off Rona’s sentence. ‘I already feel like I’m at home. Everyone is so welcoming, and that view! It must be amazing, working here, staring at that mountain every day.’

‘It’s pretty special,’ admitted Rona. ‘The whole village is pretty special, but we’re biased.’

‘I think I’m going to feel the same.’ Ella handed over the money for the cake. ‘Thank you,’ she said, holding the box. ‘Have a lovely day.’

‘You too,’ answered Rona and Felicity in unison.

Ella ventured back outside. What a lovely little teashop, she thought, strolling back down Love Heart Lane towards the village. Hearing her phone ring, she pulled it from her pocket and swiped the screen. Callie was checking up on her.

‘Have you got lost, going down the stairwell?’ Callie asked.

Ella grinned. ‘No, I haven’t got lost. I’m just running a quick errand for Dolores. I’ll be home in five.’

As Ella stuffed the phone back into her pocket, she stepped off the kerb.

‘Woah! Look out.’

Startled, Ella looked up to see a man on a bike wobbling towards her. She’d stepped straight out in front of him without looking where she was going. Time slowed as the front tyre hit the kerb and catapulted his shopping bag up in the air. He was flung forward but managed to hold on, before he bounced back on to his seat and placed his feet firmly on the ground.

Feeling a fool, Ella opened her mouth to apologise. ‘I’m so sorry, it’s all my fault!’