‘I’m afraid I can’t discuss my time with them,’ said Inge, ‘you know what they say …’

She stopped speaking as Felix entered the room. ‘Can I have a word?’ he said, looking directly at Roz.

‘Of course!’ Roz followed him out of the kitchen through to the parlour. ‘Where are we going?’ she said, as Felix handed her her coat.

‘For a walk,’ he said, pulling on a pair of Gethin’s old wellingtons.

Roz looked round at Gethin and Howell, both of whom seemed to be avoiding her gaze.

Once outside she pulled her hat firmly onto her head and lifted the collar of her navy blue coat. ‘Do we have to go for a walk? It’s freezing out here!’

Felix placed his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. ‘I wanted to ask you something.’

‘Couldn’t you have asked me inside?’ said Roz, adding, ‘Where it’s warm.’

‘It’s warm in Zeus’s stable,’ reasoned Felix, opening the door.

She entered the stable and patted Zeus’s neck, giggling as he snuffled at her for treats, something which Roz always had in her pockets.

Felix was eyeing her with great affection. ‘Do you remember what I said to you when we were at the top of Lincoln Castle?’

Roz cast her mind back and nodded slowly. ‘You said lots of things, but the one I remember the most is when we were talking about the future, about how we’d live on a farm and have our own animals.’ She smiled dreamily. ‘You made it sound so wonderful.’

Coming forward, he placed his arms around her waist. ‘Do you remember me saying how I’d not ask you to marry me until I’d had your father’s permission?’

She nodded slowly. ‘Only my father’s not here.’

‘Granted, and whilst I may not have your father’s consent, your mother was thrilled to bits when I said I was eager to meet him so that I could get his approval. So much so, she has given permission in his place. She said he’d be over the moon to know his daughter had a man like me looking after her.’

Tears shining in her eyes, Roz managed a small nod. ‘He would.’

Without hesitation Felix sank to one knee. ‘So how about it, Rozalin Sachs? Will you agree to be my wife?’

Roz gave a small squeal of delight. ‘Yes, of course I will!’

He stood up and his eyes twinkled as they gazed into hers. ‘I’m so glad I missed the train, because it gave me the chance to do something.’ Pushing his hand into his pocket, he pulled out a small box and opened it for her to see.

Roz looked down at the small circle of silver. ‘It’s beautiful,’ she breathed, as Felix pushed the ring onto her finger.

‘Just like the woman who’s wearing it.’

She placed her arms around his waist and smiled dreamily up into his face. ‘All we need now is my father and your mother, and this will be the best Christmas ever …’ She hesitated, for Felix was shaking his head sadly.