‘It does,’ he gushed, ‘and thanks to the upgraded online booking system we have a good idea of who will be coming for their trees, rather than having them delivered, and when, so there shouldn’t be too many surprises. The trees are all good to go. They’re looking fit, healthy and ready to fulfil their festive destinies.’

I wasn’t at all surprised to hear it and admired how he’d got the whole season so competently in hand. I knew it was all part of his job, but it was an impressive feat nonetheless.

‘You’ve certainly got everything efficiently organised,’ I said admiringly.

‘It has to be,’ he told me. ‘With the business going from strength to strength every year, and more trees being rented out, we need to have proficient systems in place. Can you imagine the upset if we gave the wrong tree to the wrong family?’

‘I don’t suppose that would go down particularly well when everyone’s so invested in their own tree, would it?’

‘No,’ he shuddered. ‘It wouldn’t. It’s the sort of fiasco that keeps me awake at night.’

My thoughts returned to my own disturbed night.

‘Well,’ I said, ‘if there’s anything I can help with, just ask and if there’s any chance you and your dad have a spare minute today, then I’d really like to talk to you both. With it being Monday and the place being closed, I thought it might be the best opportunity to get the pair of you in the office at the same time.’

‘Is it about the business?’ he frowned.

‘I’d rather wait until the three of us are together, if that’s okay?’

‘All right,’ he agreed. ‘And don’t forget we’re decorating the veranda today,’ he reminded me, his smile back in place. ‘It’s a little late, but you did say you didn’t want to spoil the magic by doing it in front of the visitors and this is the first chance we’ve had.’

‘Oh yes,’ I said, as I carefully slipped off the stool I was perched on. ‘I did say something like that, didn’t I?’

‘You did,’ he grinned. ‘So much for being immune to the enchantment of Wynter’s Trees, hey?’

‘I’m not enchanted,’ I told him. ‘I’m simply encouraging you to stick to Dad’s traditions.’

‘Yeah, right,’ he laughed.

I hoped he hadn’t fallen in the same trap as his dad and was thinking I’d had a change of heart now I’d decorated the lodge and planted out the tree.

‘You’d best come over at nine,’ he said, as I headed for the stairs. ‘Getting the three of us together will be a super start to the week.’

If my gut reaction was right, he’d most likely be feeling the exact opposite by half past.