‘And what about the tree for the lodge?’ David said to Ned, as everyone left. ‘Are you going to take it tonight?’

Ned shook his head. ‘No,’ he said. ‘It can keep until Monday.’

‘But I thought…’

‘Like I said,’ Ned cut in, sounding harassed. ‘I’ll do it Monday, Dad. It’s going to be busy tomorrow, so we’ll sort it when we’re closed. Assuming that’s all right with you, Liza?’

‘Yes,’ I said, ‘that’s fine with me.’

I hadn’t realised he’d got another tree lined up for the lodge and didn’t ask about it, for fear of aggravating him further. I said goodnight to David and left Ned to lock up.

There was a pile of post on the mat. I picked it up and heaped it on the kitchen counter before making a drink and heading upstairs for a long, hot bath. I’d already eaten, courtesy of Sophie and Hope, and wanted to make myself scarce before Ned got in. I had thought that he was finally getting over his annoyance with me, but apparently not.

Sunday dawned dry but dull and that worked in our favour because it meant the lights looked good from early on. I made sure I was up with the lark and raring to go. I was determined to get Ned to assign me a job that went beyond making endless cups of tea and coffee but if he refused, then I planned go back to David for further direction and hang the consequences. Fortunately, it didn’t come to that.

‘Oh,’ I said, only just noticing, ‘this post is for me.’

The large envelope in the pile I’d picked up the evening before had my name on it.

‘Is it?’ frowned Ned.

‘Yes,’ I said, holding it up for him to see. ‘Look.’

I had no idea why I’d be getting post at the lodge. I hadn’t sent off for anything or had anything redirected.

‘Would you mind looking at it later?’ Ned asked, as I began to open it. ‘I want to run through a couple of things with you about today. We’ve no Liam and as it’s potentially going to be the busiest day of the season, we’re going to need you to help out a bit. If that’s all right?’

It was on the top of my tongue to remind him that I’d already, on more than one occasion, said I was willing, but bit the words back.

‘Of course,’ I said, abandoning the envelope and giving him my full attention.