‘I take it you like it?’ said Ned, picking up one of my hands and giving it a squeeze.

‘Yes,’ I sniffed, wiping my eyes on my sleeve. ‘I love it. It’s beautiful. It looks very much like the tree Dad and I used to have.’

Ned nodded and pulled me into his side. I wrapped my arms around his waist and he kissed the top of my head. In spite of the difference in our heights, it felt so right snuggling into him. Surprisingly, we felt like the perfect fit.

‘There’s something I have to tell you about this tree, Liza,’ Ned said.

‘What is it?’ I asked, looking up at him.

He led me back to the sofa and we sat down, closer this time. Our knees were almost touching and as soon as we were settled, he picked up my hand again.

‘Your dad always had an eye on the future,’ he began. ‘You’ve said that yourself, haven’t you?’

‘I have,’ I agreed. ‘Many times. We’ve all of us said it, I think.’

Ned smiled. ‘Well, this tree is proof of that,’ he told me.

‘What do you mean?’

‘Your dad potted this tree up years ago, specifically for the lodge.’

‘He did?’ I choked.

‘He did,’ Ned confirmed. ‘And there’s another smaller one too, barely bigger than a few branches right now, which will keep the tradition going for years to come.’

‘I had no idea,’ I smiled, through a haze of yet more tears.

‘I can show you it, if you like?’

‘Yes, please,’ I sniffed. ‘I’d love that.’

‘I thought you might,’ he said, leaning over and gently brushing my tears away. ‘And you can take it with you of course, but I can’t tell you how much I wish you were going to be here to watch it grow.’

I couldn’t find the words either, but in that moment, I found myself wishing for exactly the same thing too. The thought of decorating Christmas trees that Dad had potted up for years to come, here in the lodge and with Ned by my side, felt like a bewildering, but very appealing prospect.

As one we leant towards each other and for the third time since I’d arrived back at Wynter’s Trees we kissed. This time there was no alcohol involved and no bump on the head and it felt all the sweeter for that. Or it did until I remembered my dear friend, Maya. The sight of her beautiful face, and the thought of her generous spirit filled my head and my heart and I pulled away. Ned looked every bit as guilty as I felt as I muttered a hasty good night and rushed upstairs to my room.

Chapter 21