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He yawns widely.

‘Yes, I think she is. She’s been a good friend to Dinky today. She’s like a special auntie. Like you, Gwen,’ he says, and leans into me. I put my arm around him, my eyes filling again, and I sniff.

‘Come on, Tegan. There’s lots to do tomorrow. We’re going to open the Christmas tree farm,’ he says. He lightly hugs Lara, Horse and Luke in turn, then me, and takes himself off to bed.

Chapter 21

The next morning, Will is the first down, waking me in excitement.

‘Can we go and see them? Can we?!’

The wind has dropped, but so has the temperature. It’s cold and the yard is glistening with icy patterns. But in the barn, it’s surprisingly toasty.

Horse and Luke are asleep in amongst the straw, but Lara is up and making sure all the puppies are feeding. She beams as Will and I tiptoe over to say good morning to Dinky and her family.

‘All okay?’ I whisper.

‘All good,’ she says, standing and stretching her back.

‘I’ll put the kettle on,’ I say. ‘You look like you could do with a cuppa.’

‘Good morning!’ says Horse, opening an eye and slowly sitting up from under the covers. His hair is on end, with straw in it. Luke sits up too, his cap over his eyes, rubbing his head.

‘That was a late night,’ Luke laughs, looking at the bottle of whisky. ‘Wouldn’t have been allowed if Mogs was around.’

‘I hope Scarlett wasn’t worried about you!’ I say. ‘I’m about to make tea and bacon sandwiches in the kitchen.’

‘I texted her, let her know the pups were here. I think she’s happy to have missed the messy bit! I’ve sent pictures for her socials. Mogs’ll put them into a reel.’

I organize towels for Horse and Luke to shower, and I put a wash on.

‘I’m not sure I should be moving her quite yet,’ says Luke once we’re settled at the kitchen table. He’s no longer wearing his cap, and his new jumper is looking a lot more lived in. He looks softer all round.

‘Don’t rush. There’s no rush at all,’ I say. ‘It’s lovely having her here.’

‘If you’re sure. The vet is coming over, if that’s okay. Scarlett organized it. Sorry, should have asked first. But Scarlett had rung them already.’

‘Of course. And Scarlett’s welcome to come and see them for herself. She’ll be delighted they’re all safe and sound. Dinky was so clever to do it all by herself.’

‘She was.’ He smiles gratefully. ‘Oh, that looks like the vet now,’ he says as a 4×4 comes up the drive into the yard, headlights on. Luke finishes his tea and bacon sandwich quickly, grabs his phone and heads out into the crisp morning, pulling his cap down further against the cold.

‘Tell Scarlett to come over, and make yourselves at home,’ I call after him, waving a hand at the kitchen. And then I realize with a bump that that is exactly what it will be in the new year – their home, not mine any more.

‘Hey, Will,’ says Horse, coming into the kitchen freshly showered. His hair is wet and combed back off his face, his eyes shining. ‘I have something for you,’ he says, sitting at the table. ‘Bring me your tin.’

Will drops his head. ‘It’s empty. And we don’t know what spices to replace it with.’

‘Just get me the tin,’ Horse chivvies him.

Will looks at him, suddenly uneasy. ‘You’re not going to throw it away like Gareth wanted me to, are you?’

‘Throw it away?’ Horse says. He looks at Will, then up at me. ‘No, mate, we’re definitely not going to throw it away.’ He smiles and pulls a paper bag from his worn holdall. ‘We’re going to fill it up!’

A smile spreads across Will’s face as Horse empties the bag out. Lots of little bags of brightly coloured spices tumble across the table.

‘Whooooa!’ says Will, his eyes sparkling as if Horse has thrown open a sack of priceless jewels. ‘Where did you get them from?’

‘How did you know what to buy?’ I ask, feeling my heart warm a little at this thoughtfulness. ‘I didn’t know which spices were in the tin originally, so Will wouldn’t let me buy new ones. He wanted them to be exactly the same as before. The same ones Ayesha had given to him. Her special blend as it were.’