But he wasn’t listening. He rushed along the landing to his own room for the rest of his clothes and Bandit began to bark, catching his master’s excitement.

Seconds later, and suitably attired, we ventured out. Bandit hesitated for a moment and then was off. The pristine blanket wasn’t untouched for long. He leapt and rolled, buried his nose in it and came up snorting. He had an almost wild look in his eye and Ned wasn’t much better. I’d never seen him in such a playful mood and I couldn’t have wished for a more romantic lead into Christmas.

‘Do you wanna build a snowman?’ he sang out, making me laugh.

I did and so did he, but the snow was too soft to compact, so we settled for a walk through the plantation as it began to get light and a snowball fight instead.

‘Dad never saw it like this,’ I said, when we eventually reached the family tree. ‘He would have been in his element.’

Ned took my hand and gave it a squeeze and I refused to give in to sentimentality. At least there was one Wynter who could appreciate the snowy spectacle.

‘Come on,’ I said, ‘let’s go back. I wonder if everyone will be able to get here to open their huts today?’

‘I hope so,’ said Ned. ‘Sophie’s prepared a festive feast and I’d hate to see it go to waste.’

The plan was to close the huts and the plantation at lunchtime, and then we were all going to eat together in the barn. It was both a festive celebration and a farewell to David, but with minimal fuss. Just like he’d insisted he wanted.

When we arrived back at the lodge, hungry, with flushed cheeks and damp coats, Ned opened the gate and I refilled the feeders and replenished the water bowls at the bird feeding station. Our feathered friends must have been surprised to wake and find their world so transformed and would need some extra support to make it safely through the chilly snap.

‘Now you’ve fed the birds,’ said Ned, ‘how about I make you some breakfast?’

‘Those supplies of yours are coming into their own already!’ I laughed.

Thankfully, everyone made it to the huts, although Sue hadn’t felt comfortable about driving in and with her partner at work, Theo had kindly made a detour to pick her up. There weren’t many customers who ventured out, but it was still worth opening for the final few hours of the season and with the excitement of the unexpected snowfall, there was quite a party atmosphere even before we all descended on the barn.