‘More lights?’ I asked, quirking an eyebrow, even though Ned couldn’t see it.

Mum had always maintained you could never have too many twinkly lights and given all the extra strands Ned had already hung up, he obviously subscribed to the same sparkly seasonal theory.

‘I thought we should try and give Blackpool a run for its money this year,’ he said, and I could tell from his tone that he was smiling.

‘Or Buddy Hall, from Deck the Halls,’ I said, stretching out my back and rolling my shoulders, before standing up.

‘Don’t be absurd, Liza.’ he teased. ‘There are nowhere near enough lights to be seen from space. Although,’ he added, tapping his pen against his chin, ‘you have just given me another idea.’

I shook my head as he scribbled something extra on his lengthy to-do list, but didn’t ask what it was. My participation in the Wynter’s Trees festive plans, and achieving the final few things on Dad’s wish list, had already stretched my involvement as far as I was willing to let it go.

‘Would you like a hot chocolate?’ I asked, turning off the desk light and walking over to the kitchen.

‘Oh yes, please,’ Ned nodded. ‘That’s just what I fancy.’

‘With or without marshmallows?’

He twisted round and shot me a look loaded with disbelief. ‘Are you serious?’ he gasped.

He looked utterly outraged.

‘Oh, my mum would have loved you, Ned,’ I laughed.

The words tripped easily off my tongue but the moment they were uttered, I felt a lump form in my throat. What with Sue being a member of the beach hut crew and Ned’s fondness for festooning lights, Mum had been on my mind a lot during the last few days.

‘Do you really think so?’ he asked, as I busied myself pouring milk and cream into the pan and setting it to warm on the stove.

‘Yes,’ I huskily said. ‘I do. And,’ I added, blinking hard to banish a prickle of tears, ‘Dad would think you’re the perfect fit for this place too.’

As Dad had seamlessly settled into the routine of life at Wynter’s Trees, I hadn’t thought it possible for there to be another soul in the entire world who was as in love with Christmas as he was, but here Ned was. The embodiment of festive feeling and capable of making my heart race at breakneck speed.

‘Wow,’ he said, setting his list aside and wandering over to watch me prepare the copper hammered mugs which had always been my favourite. ‘That’s really something. And what about you?’

‘Me?’

‘Yes,’ he said, sounding a little unsure. ‘What do you think?’

I let my gaze flick quickly to his.

‘Given that I hadn’t know you for longer than five minutes before I was asking you to buy me out of the business, that should be obvious, shouldn’t it?’