I apologised for not coming sooner, shared the weight and depth of the guilt I had carried and explained what I was going to do next with my life. I told Dad how I had struck upon a business idea of my own, one that combined my love of nature and art with my desire to help struggling students, and how I was going to fund it.

‘Ned,’ I said, finally finding my voice, ‘is the perfect person to carry on running Wynter’s Trees. He’s a chip off David’s block and even more full of ideas than you were, Dad.’

I carefully stood up again, taking care not to put too much weight on my injured ankle.

‘Oh,’ I added, ‘and I’m going to see the northern lights.’ My mind had suddenly settled on that as the trip I was going to take. ‘I know you always wanted to go, Dad, so I’ll go for both of us. I know we’ll have a great time.’

I spotted Ned pull up at the gate and waved.

‘I really am sorry I haven’t been before,’ I said, a lump forming in my throat. ‘And I’ll always be sorry that Wynter’s Trees wasn’t for me, but I know I’m doing the right thing in handing it on to someone who loves it as much as you did. I hope you can be happy about that, Dad. I love you.’

I felt utterly exhausted, but as I hobbled back to the truck, I knew I had been purged of my guilt. It had been a long time coming and if it hadn’t been for Ned, I’d still be dragging the weight of it around with me, like Marley and his chain in A Christmas Carol.

‘All right?’ asked Ned, solicitously hopping out to open the passenger door.

‘You know,’ I said, feeling light of heart as I leant on his arm so I could climb in. ‘I really am.’

He looked surprised. I daresay he had been braced for tears. I know I had, but they hadn’t come.

‘Well, that’s great,’ he said, sounding relieved. ‘Really great.’

‘It is,’ I told him, with a smile. ‘I feel ready for anything now.’

I was raring to go the next morning and ready to face another busy weekend at Wynter’s Trees. I was still pretty immobile, but I didn’t let that dampen my spirits. Thanks to my heart to heart with Ned and my long overdue visit to Dad’s grave, I felt transformed and determined to make the most of the rest of my time in Wynmouth.

‘Good morning,’ I beamed at David and Ned who were in the office even earlier than usual. ‘It’s freezing out there, but it’s going to be a glorious day.’

The pair looked at each other and exchanged smiles.