‘Glensheil, right by Heartcross. Such a beautiful part of the world.’
‘It is,’ agreed Libby.
‘The snow has fallen quite heavily in those parts and the buses and taxis aren’t running from the station. Do you have transportation arranged?’
‘I do, thanks.’ Libby smiled. ‘My brother is sending someone for me.’
The inspector nodded and continued down the carriage. Numerous doors slammed a few moments later and then the whistle blew followed by a shout. As the train set off again, Libby watched the snow-covered trees and houses whizz past the window. Feeling tired she rested her head against her scarf on the window pane and closed her eyes.
The next thing she knew the ticket inspector was lightly shaking her.
‘Excuse me, ma’am, we are in Glensheil. You’ve nearly missed your stop.’
Startled, Libby looked out of the window and immediately recognised the station. She couldn’t believe she’d been asleep all this time. ‘Oh my, thank you so much for waking me,’ she said, jumping up, collecting her suitcase and making sure she had all her belongings. As she made her way to the door, she saw the carriage was nearly empty and she was the only one to disembark from the train at Glensheil. She stepped on to the platform. There wasn’t a soul in sight.
Knowing she was lucky to have arrived as planned despite the worsening weather, Libby pulled her suitcase across the gritted platform and headed towards the exit, hoping someone was waiting for her. The view, as ever, was stunning, with Heartcross Mountain in the distance, the peak covered in snow. It was breathtakingly picture-perfect, looking like a painting she’d once seen in an art gallery.
Reaching the station exit she saw that the snow was untouched and there wasn’t a vehicle anywhere. Libby knew it was going to be impossible for a car to travel in these conditions and she reached into her bag to ring Flynn, but she had no mobile signal.
Debating whether to abandon her case and start walking, Libby heard the drone of an engine and the beep of a horn. She looked up to find Drew was waving madly at her through the window of his tractor. He pulled up just in front of her and left the engine running.
‘Lib! It’s great to see you,’ he said, jumping down from the cab. ‘I see you’ve brought the good weather with you.’
Libby smiled. ‘Look at this place. I’m surprisedyougot here, never mind me.’
Drew opened the passenger door. ‘I know. There are transport cancellations everywhere today. Flynn sent me as there’s no other vehicle getting through here at the minute. The snow ploughs are out in force so hopefully things will be better within the next few hours.’ Drew was his normal happy self, his tight blond corkscrew curls springing from underneath his woolly hat. As usual he was wearing his khaki farm overalls. ‘You climb in, I’ll get your suitcase.’ The snow crunched under Drew’s boots as he quickly retrieved the case and threw it into the back of the tractor before jumping back behind the wheel. ‘It may be a little bumpy when we reach the track.’
‘Don’t worry about that, I’m just glad I’m not stranded at the station.’
The tractor began to move through the snow with ease and Libby held on to her seat as they bounced along.
‘So you’re here for Christmas?’
‘Yes, and I can’t wait to spend some time with the family.’
‘And I believe after Christmas you’re off to the Big Apple?’
‘I am.’
‘Flynn has been telling us all about it and that you’re now dressing and designing clothes for celebrities. I know Isla can’t wait to catch up with you and hear your news.’
‘I can’t wait to catch up with everyone.’ Since her brother opened up Starcross Manor, Libby had spent lots of time in the village of Heartcross. She’d attended the annual boat race and summer fair alongside Flynn and Julia, and established good friends during her visits, in particular Isla, with whom she’d become close friends. They often chatted on Facetime and interacted with each other’s social media.
Isla’s best friends were Felicity, who part-owned Bonnie’s Teashop, and Allie, whose parents owned The Grouse and Haggis. They were a close-knit group but had always welcomed her every time she returned.
‘I’m looking forward to the new job. It’s an amazing opportunity, but I have my work cut out for the next month.’
‘I believe so. You’ve recued Flynn from staff shortages, I hear. A wedding on Christmas Eve, though … you have the perfect backdrop for it.’
‘I know, this is an amazing part of the world.’
‘I know Flynn would love to have you on the team full-time. Every opportunity, he’s singing your praises.’
‘Mmm, that might change in the next few weeks as the only thing I’ve ever organised is a fashion show. I’m hoping the bride and groom are very easy-going. I get to meet them at the end of the week. Let’s hope I can pull off the wedding of the century.’
The track leading to Love Heart Lane was covered in a thick blanket of snow that was already inches deep.
Thankfully, Heartcross was used to this kind of weather, though it did mean that the route into the village would be restricted and depending on the amount of snowfall some vehicles would find it difficult to climb the half-mile track between the town of Glensheil and Heartcross. Libby looked out of the window, there wasn’t another vehicle in sight.
