‘He’s going to be worth his weight in gold,’ Maya told me, as she walked over and filled the space Liam had left. ‘He’s literally not stopped all morning.’

‘A bit like you then,’ I said, taking in her complexion, which was every bit as flushed as Liam’s, as she flicked through a file full of papers.

She gave me a wink and headed back to the office and I took a moment to look about me. Everything at Wynter’s Trees was running like a well-oiled machine and I felt like a bit of a spare part as I watched it all happening. I knew that should have made me happy. Safe in the knowledge that my future absence wouldn’t impact on the place at all, I should have felt satisfied that leaving for good wasn’t going to be the cause of any problems for anyone, but just for that moment, I unsettlingly didn’t.

After taking a brisk and bracing walk around the reserve, where I startled a handsome Chinese water deer and spotted plenty of pink-footed geese, I slipped back to the lodge, taking Bandit for company. I flicked through the notes I’d been making about my new business, along with the travel brochures, but the lure of the spectacular northern lights didn’t inspire me that morning any more than the serenity in the reserve had settled my thoughts.

‘Are you busy?’ Maya asked, popping her head in just after I’d finished lunch and was loading the dishwasher.

‘No,’ I said, ‘far from it. What’s up?’

‘Lilith’s got a family emergency and is going to have to close up because everyone’s too busy in their own huts to help out in hers.’

‘I can do it,’ I said, readily abandoning the dishes. ‘I’ll grab a coat.’

I felt it would be good to be doing something, rather than wandering aimlessly about. I had been thinking I’d head to the reserve again, with Dad’s binoculars this time, but chatting to customers and keeping busy would probably be better for my unexpected dip in mood. I hadn’t had all that much to do with Lilith, but I was certain I could sell at least a few of the stunning wreaths and glorious green garlands she made on her behalf.

‘Actually,’ said Maya, biting her lip, ‘she’s asked if I could man her hut, because I’ve got some experience in making wreaths and she’s got a couple of orders that need finishing off. I wondered if you could possibly take my place helping Ned and Liam?’

‘Oh,’ I said, ‘yes, of course. I’m happy to do anything and that sounds like a sensible switch.’

‘You’re sure?’

‘Yes,’ I said. ‘You go over there now and I’ll go and find Ned.’

‘He’s in the plantation.’

‘Right.’