‘Hope wants the bowls back,’ he told us, handing out eco forks.

‘Thanks Noah,’ we chorused, digging in.

I was especially grateful. Not only for my lunch, but also for the timely interruption. As I savoured the first succulent mouthful I vowed to make talking to David and Ned again the next thing on my to-do list. It was about time I had an update on Ned’s progress and reiterated to David that I still hadn’t fallen for Wynter’s Trees.

Chapter 16

‘Are you all right?’ Ned asked over breakfast the next morning. ‘You look a bit pale. Your ankle isn’t still hurting, is it?’

Having decided to talk to him and David again I had opted for an early night to ensure I would be rested, refreshed and ready for the conversation. I didn’t know how David was going to react when I restated my position or if Ned had even tried to raise the money to buy me out, but I wanted to be ready for whatever their responses were to what I had to say. Unfortunately, however, my plan to catch eight hours had failed and I’d spent much of the night tossing, turning and watching the clock. My pasty pallor was no doubt the result.

‘No, it’s fine.’ I said, dredging up a smile as I helped myself to coffee. ‘Not one hundred per cent obviously, but it’s much better than it was.’

‘That’s good,’ said Ned. ‘You must be healthy for it to have recovered so quickly.’

‘Healthy, but not especially fit,’ I admitted.

‘You should start running with me and Bandit,’ Ned suggested.

‘My legs are half the length of yours,’ I pointed out, ‘and I can’t risk my recovery. I’ll stick to walking.’

Ned didn’t look convinced, but there was no way I was going to go puffing and pounding my way around the plantation.

‘You never know,’ he said, ‘you might enjoy it.’

‘Is this your way of saying I need to lose a few pounds ahead of the festive feasting?’

‘Absolutely not,’ he choked, sounding mortified. ‘I was thinking more of myself. I wouldn’t mind a bit of company out there every now and again, that’s all.’

‘In that case,’ I swiftly said, ‘ask Maya. I bet she could keep pace with you. She’s a far better match for you than I am.’

Ned didn’t comment and I waited to let the words settle. He’d see the sense in them in the end.

‘Are you going to be busy this morning?’ I asked, once a minute had passed.

‘I’m going to be busy every morning between now and the twenty-fourth,’ he beamed, his embarrassment forgotten.

He looked ecstatic at the prospect and was clearly keen to embrace another hectic Christmas.

‘Of course,’ I said. ‘The collection service starts this week, doesn’t it?’