‘I’d had no idea Ned had gone to the bank and to see the solicitor,’ David carried on, ‘and when he told me after the party that you’d changed your mind about leaving and he’d told you it was too late, I couldn’t believe it.’

‘Oh David.’

‘I soon told him he had to fight for you and tell you how he felt.’

Apparently, Maya wasn’t the only one who had borne witness to mine and Ned’s true feelings for one another during the last few weeks.

‘I hope you don’t think I was interfering,’ David then said, sounding less sure.

‘Not at all,’ I reassured him.

‘Not that I think he really had any intention of letting you go,’ he added.

Had my car started first time, he might not have had any choice. Thank goodness for that dodgy starter motor.

‘And when he walked into the office this morning,’ David continued, his smile back in place, ‘I just knew everything had come good.’

‘More than good,’ I told him, matching his with a very happy smile of my own. ‘I truly can’t remember a time when I’ve ever felt so happy, David.’

‘It’s nothing less than you deserve and I know you and Ned are going to more than successfully carry on your dad’s legacy.’

‘I hope so.’ I swallowed.

‘I know so,’ he declared. ‘Now, when are you planning on telling everyone the wonderful news?’

‘Not just yet,’ I said, ‘Ned and I need to get used to the shift in our relationship first and of course, we wouldn’t want to steal Noah and Michael’s thunder.’

‘Well, in that case,’ David laughed, ‘you’d both better amend your expressions, because if you go around grinning like Cheshire cats, then everyone’s going to know, whether you want them to or not!’

With David’s words ringing in my ears, and Ned’s face as worn out from smiling as mine was, I was extremely grateful that Wynter’s Trees was closed the next day. No one was due to replenish the huts and the uninterrupted twenty-four hours of peace and quiet gave us ample opportunity to get to know each other better.

We walked alone through the reserve, with Bandit around the plantation, and spent hours talking through our plans for the future, making love and gazing into the warming flames of the log burner.

‘Come on,’ I laughed, as I started and gave up trying to wrap the presents I’d got from the huts, as Ned began kissing my neck. ‘You need to get outside. Let’s go for another walk.’

‘You make me sound like Bandit,’ he smiled.

‘You’ve certainly got as much as energy as him!’ I giggled.