‘Merry Christmas, Roz,’ she said, holding out a small paper bag.

Taking the bag, Roz looked inside and smiled. ‘Everton mints! Where on earth did you get these?’

Mabel winked. ‘I have my ways.’

‘You mean you’ve got Gethin,’ smiled Roz.

‘He has his uses. Do you realise this is going to be our first Christmas together?’

Keen to steer the subject away from boyfriends, Roz handed her friend a bar of Fry’s Chocolate Cream.

‘Ooh,’ said Mabel, ‘I shall have one piece a day, to make it last.’ She followed Roz’s gaze to the yard. ‘You still hoping?’

Roz nodded. ‘Hope is all I have.’

Mabel stretched out her arm and snuggled Roz into the eiderdown with her. ‘Maybe they’ve stopped the trains due to the snow,’ she suggested. ‘It can get really bad here in the mountains.’

‘Either way, he’s not here,’ said Roz. ‘I don’t wish to be a wet blanket, but I’d rather get on with the chores – it’s better than dwelling on the ifs and maybes.’

Nodding, Mabel made her way back over to her bed, put her slippers on, and swapped her eiderdown for her dressing gown. ‘I’ll go and fetch some hot water, so we can have a wash.’

Roz nodded, but continued to look out of the window. ‘Where are you, Felix Ackerman?’ she said quietly. ‘I need you.’

It was much later that morning by the time Roz, Mabel and Gethin had finished seeing to the animals.

‘I think my toes have turned to ice,’ said Mabel as she removed her wellies and headed for the fire. ‘I’m going to have chilblains on chilblains at this rate.’

‘It wouldn’t have been so bad had you not jumped into that drift,’ said Roz, wagging a reproving finger, although she was smiling as she did so. ‘How old are you?’

Mabel grinned. ‘Young enough to have a bit of fun, but too old to get this cold!’ She glanced at Gethin who had come into the kitchen, stamping his feet to get rid of the snow, something which Heulwyn strongly objected to.

‘Do that outside the house, not in!’ she exclaimed. She was carrying a tray containing three mugs of cocoa.

Roz grinned as she saw Mabel hastily stowing her wellingtons out of sight.

Heulwyn placed the tray on the table and instructed them to help themselves to a mug. ‘The chicken’ll be another half-hour yet, so you’ve time for a wash and change before I serve up.’

‘Cocoa first, though,’ said Mabel. Taking a long sip, she smacked her lips with satisfaction. ‘Ooh, that hits the spot.’

‘Best cocoa in Wales,’ agreed Gethin. Sitting down on one of the chairs which flanked the fireplace, he gestured for Mabel to sit on his knee.

Taking the seat opposite, Roz held her triple-socked toes up to the fire. ‘I wonder what Felix is doing right now.’