In spite of the bright blue sky and accompanying sunshine it was still chilly as the wind whistled through the plantation. I began to shiver and, abandoning my plan to make it as far as the nature reserve boundary, walked briskly back to the yard, arriving in it as Ned and Bandit came out of the office. They must have finished their run just after I’d set out.

‘Have you been for a walk?’ asked Ned. ‘I wondered where you’d got to.’

‘Yes,’ I said, ‘I’ve been craving fresh air. Although I hadn’t taken into account the brisk sea breeze. I could have done with some gloves. It’s cold today, isn’t it?’

‘Yes,’ he agreed. ‘It is a bit sharp. But at least you found that old coat.’

‘It was Dad’s,’ I said, pulling it tighter around me. ‘I was pleased to find it still hanging in its usual place.’

‘I haven’t moved anything,’ Ned told me. ‘I wouldn’t dream of changing or rearranging any of it.’

‘I appreciate that,’ I said, feeling choked by his thoughtfulness. ‘I am going to get around to sorting everything out soon.’

‘There’s no rush,’ he shrugged. ‘It’s yours to do what you want with as and when you feel like it. I’m just the lodge’s caretaker.’

Knowing I was going to ask him to buy me out the moment I could get him and David together, there actually was now a need for me to feel like it quite soon.

‘So,’ Ned carried on, ‘how did you find the trees?’

‘Green,’ I told him. ‘And tall.’

Ned rocked back on his heels and laughed. My knowledge, in spite of Dad’s efforts, didn’t run much deeper than that.

‘I was surprised to see so many in pots,’ I added. ‘That side of the business has really taken off, hasn’t it?’

‘Absolutely,’ Ned agreed. ‘Your dad was really on to something when he came up with that idea. He was well ahead of the game and even though there are other businesses offering a similar service now, none of them are a patch on Wynter’s. Not that I’m biased or anything,’ he chuckled.

I felt further reassured that his love for the place practically guaranteed that he was going to want to take it on, lock, stock and barrel.

‘Well, the success it is today can’t all be down to Dad’s ideas.’ I pointed out. ‘You and your dad have cleverly capitalised on what he started. It’s definitely a growth industry.’

Ned rolled his eyes at my pitiful pun.

‘We have,’ he smiled, ‘and it is. And with that in mind, I want to tell you more about the huts.’

‘The huts?’

‘Yes,’ he said. ‘The beach huts, but first I think you’d better have a look at your tree.’