It was well into the afternoon by the time we arrived at Wynter’s Trees. The return journey had been hampered by heavy traffic and Maya and I had laughed conspiratorially that we had talked it up. We didn’t chat all the way back however, because she’d locked the truck radio to Heart Xmas, (which she said would annoy the heck out of her brothers), and we’d sung along, as hilariously out of tune as each other, to every festive track. I had forgotten my worries for a while, although Wren was never far from my thoughts, and it felt like a much needed and appreciated respite.

My time with Maya had been a real tonic. We’d laughed so much my belly ached and my brain was in much better shape than it had been the day before. Maya was the human embodiment of what was meant by ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’. She was tall, slim and breathtakingly beautiful, but she was also generous, intelligent, completely modest and a rubbish singer. She was also the perfect match for Ned, in all things, and as much as that still pained me, I knew I had to reconcile myself to it.

‘You coming in?’ I asked her, when we reached the gate which was locked because the plantation was closed on a Monday.

There didn’t look to be anyone working in the huts, but there was a light on in the barn and the doors were open.

‘I’m going to make some hot chocolate,’ I temptingly added.

‘As appealing as that is, I’d better not,’ she said. ‘Dad will be wanting the truck back.’

‘Of course,’ I said, gathering my things together. ‘You really got me out of a pickle today, Maya. Thank you so much for stepping in and helping out and please, thank your dad for the loan of the truck too.’

‘It’s no bother,’ she lightly said. ‘It’s actually been really fun.’

‘It has,’ I agreed, although I was well aware that it would have been better all round had I not made the mix-up in the first place, ‘and we’ve covered some miles. Make a note of them, won’t you?’ I added. ‘Because I want to reimburse you for the fuel.’

Maya wouldn’t hear of it and made a neat three point turn on the drive so I didn’t have to open the gate. I watched until she was out of sight and then climbed over, landed carefully on my healthy ankle and headed for the lodge.