‘But that could be a real issue for you if you want to carry on with it.’ She said, her eyebrows almost meeting as she frowned in concentration. ‘I don’t think there’s anywhere near Wynter’s Trees where you’ll find a job like that.’

Unfortunately, she’d hit the nail on the head.

‘And besides,’ she carried on, ‘won’t you have your hands too full at the plantation to take on another job?’

We were heading into tricky territory again.

‘But then, maybe that’s what…’ she said thoughtfully, then hesitated.

‘Maybe that’s what, Maya?’ I prompted, when she didn’t carry on.

She threw me another look.

‘Well,’ she said, ‘I heard Ned talking to David about those outdoor schools.’

‘What outdoor schools?’ I frowned.

‘I don’t know really,’ she shrugged, a blush blooming. ‘Ignore me. I didn’t hear the whole thing and besides, I shouldn’t have been listening. Now, I don’t know this area very well so I’d better concentrate.’

‘Of course,’ I said, looking at the satnav. ‘I don’t think it’s too complicated from here though.’

Although intrigued about what she’d overheard, I let the subject drop. It was imperative that the trees were switched without incident and therefore, I turned my attention to the view and let Maya focus on the road and the Aussie accented directions.

It took over an hour to drive between the Stotts and the Scotts and I could well understand why Ned had been so hacked off. Had Maya not generously stepped in, he would have had to sort out my muddle and on top of all the other deliveries he had to make, it would have made for a very long day.

Both the Scott offspring were at school, so I didn’t have the pleasure of seeing their reaction to being reunited with Doris who, according to her paperwork, had been with the family since Jasper was ten. I knew he would have pretended he wasn’t fussed, but I bet he would have been fizzing inside and Daisy would have probably cried. She had come across as a lover of the waterworks.

‘Here she is!’ shouted Andrew who rushed from the house as Maya expertly reversed between two parked cars and up on to the drive.

‘One Doris as promised,’ I smiled, jumping out of the cab as Maya hopped into the back of the trailer and loaded the tree on to the wheels as competently as she had just completed the narrow reversing manoeuvre.

I was beginning to think there was nothing she couldn’t do.

‘Doris,’ Andrew sighed as we wheeled the tree down the ramp. ‘I’m afraid my wife couldn’t be here to welcome her, but she’s told me exactly where she wants her.’

‘I bet she has,’ Maya whispered and I had to stifle a giggle.