‘She’s held on till the 5th of December?’ Laurel clutched her forehead in feigned amazement, making Rea giggle. Laurel put two cups of coffee on the table and flopped down into a chair, watching Rea address the envelope to an erstwhile workmate, stick on a stamp and add it to the pile for posting. ‘Rea,’ she began thoughtfully. ‘How much does Terri know about your agoraphobia?’

Rea paused, gaze downcast. ‘She knows I changed jobs and avoid certain situations but she doesn’t know …’ She tailed off unhappily, staring at the box of cards. The top one depicted a cottage with snow on the roof.

Gently, Laurel said, ‘I promised I’d try and exercise Daybreak today, remember? Do you feel up to coming with me again?’ When Rea’s forehead crumpled, she crossed her fingers beneath the table, hoping she wasn’t going about things entirely the wrong way, and added, ‘As you said, Daisy would love it.’ She hoped that was gentle encouragement rather than emotional blackmail. ‘You could ride Daybreak, too, if you wanted.’

Rea’s jawline firmed. Whether it was the prospect of pleasing Daisy, making more progress before Aunt Terri arrived, or riding a pony for the first time since she was a young woman that convinced her, she blurted a ‘Yes.’ Then she looked scared and had to wipe a tear from one corner of her eye. Her lips wobbled into a smile as well, though. ‘I must, must set myself greater goals. Must think of Daisy. You’re so supportive, Laurel. I’m sure I’m not strong enough to do this without you.’

‘Of course you are,’ said Laurel, bracingly, though she was achingly aware that Rea did need someone.

Fleetingly, she wondered if and when she’d leave the village to find a new studio in Cornwall. She’d helped with Daisy, she was happy to continue to help Rea … but she’d plunged into a complete conundrum with Grady. Their relationship felt like a Rubik’s Cube that someone had tampered with. Lining up one segment satisfactorily meant another could only be hopelessly spoiled.

Daisy’s face, when they went upstairs to break the exciting news to her, was a picture. She looked up from tying hessian bows on a wreath of pine, red-berried holly and black-berried viburnum, and her busy fingers stilled. Her round chin dropped. ‘We’re going out?’ she said, blankly.

Rea, smiling tremulously, slid her arm around Daisy’s soft shoulders. ‘I can’t promise anything,’ she said quickly, when a stunned smile began to form on Daisy’s face. ‘I might get to the end of the drive and have a panic attack. I might do it today and not be able to manage it next time. But I’m going to try.’