By three o’clock, the light was fading and everyone began pulling on their coats and saying their goodbyes. I positioned myself next to the door so I could hand out the puddings I’d made, along with the few other gifts I’d picked up, and was very touched to receive presents back. I hadn’t expected that at all. It was astounding to think that I could have been in my flat, ignoring the season and not feeling anything other than lonely and sad. Not that I would have admitted to that.

Liam, bringing with him a large cardboard box, had shyly come to stand next to me and he was handing out gifts too.

‘There’s a care label in with each one,’ he explained, as he gave everyone small bowls planted with bulbs which would flower soon after Christmas. ‘This was what my nan used to do,’ he quietly told me with a wobbly smile, ‘and I thought it would be nice to carry on.’

‘Family traditions are important,’ I agreed, kissing his cheek as he gave me a bowl filled with hyacinths, the scent of which I knew would fill the lodge in a week or two.

‘They really are,’ he said, turning slightly pink.

Standing in the barn, surrounded by my new friends and with the love of my life at my elbow, I could accept that now and embrace and enjoy my own family’s traditions. I felt incredibly grateful that David had never given up on me. His determination to make me come back to Wynter’s Trees had been a very definite blessing. A life changing one.

‘Right then,’ said David, who was last to leave, ‘I’ll leave you two lovebirds to it.’

The barn had been cleared and tidied and all that was left to do was lock up.

‘Are you sure you wouldn’t rather stay?’ I suggested again. ‘I’m worried that if there’s more snow tonight, you won’t be able to get here tomorrow.’

‘Thank you for the offer,’ he said, ‘but I prefer my own bed and there’s no more of the white stuff forecast, so don’t worry.’

‘Lunch at two.’ Ned reminded him.

‘I’ll be here,’ he firmly said. ‘I take it you won’t be coming to church tonight?’ he then asked.

‘No,’ said Ned, ‘I’m not going to risk it. It’s bound to be icy again later. Unless you’d like to go, Liza?’

‘No,’ I said. ‘I don’t mind staying here. There’ll be plenty more years to attend the midnight service after this one.’

‘That there will,’ said Ned, reaching for my hand.

Hearing him confirm that caused my heart to flutter. I really was home for good.

‘I don’t blame you,’ said David. ‘Right, I’d better head off.’

‘Just let me know when you’re back, Dad,’ said Ned.

David looked at me and rolled his eyes.