Page 56

‘That place out on the main road?’ Horse frowns. ‘With the techno music and neon lights?’

I nod.

‘I’m sure most people will just go there rather than here, unless I can find a way to entice them up the hill. I’m just not sure I can do that.’ I look back at the trees. ‘But I’ve promised Will, and I really could do with the money.’

Horse looks around.

‘Seems like you’ve got everything you need here. Christmas trees, on a farm. And a view like that. I know where I’d rather be.’

‘You’d think, wouldn’t you? Paddy and I planted these trees ourselves. They’re all going to be cut down when Scarlett and Luke take over the place, so we might as well sell as many as we can. I just need to get it . . .’

‘Spruced up,’ he says with a smile.

‘Yes! In the festive spirit.’

Will has emerged from the kitchen to chivvy us along, and he smiles up at Horse.

‘You could come and work on the farm with us, Horse,’ he says. ‘And there’s the cottage you could stay in. Near where you and Gwen found me when I was hiding and didn’t want to be found. That’s right, isn’t it, Gwen?’ He turns to me.

‘Whoa, now.’ Horse throws his head back and laughs.

I can’t help but smile. ‘Will, I’m sure Horse has places he needs to be rather than helping me out.’

Horse is still chuckling. ‘No – if it’s what Will wants, then I’m happy to help,’ he says.

I look at him, thinking. I can’t deny that it’s what I want, too, despite everything.

‘I could really do with the help. And a new saw blade,’ I add, looking at the saw in my hand.

He nods. ‘I’d be happy to help out with the trees. Clear the pathways, maybe. Just tell me what you need doing? I’m good at taking orders and making things happen.’

‘That is exactly what we need.’ I smile.

‘Well, I’d enjoy it. The job I was just on is finished anyway. I can ask around, see if there’s somewhere I can stay locally.’

‘You wouldn’t necessarily have to,’ I say. ‘As Will says, there’s the woodsman’s cottage – Ty Coed. It hasn’t been used for ages. We were going to rent it out to holidaymakers wanting a quiet country Christmas, but I haven’t done any of that since Paddy has been gone.’

Horse follows my gaze in the direction of the little cottage in the middle of the forest.

‘I mean, if you don’t have any other work on, and you’re looking for somewhere to stay . . . It could work out very well,’ I add, really hoping he’ll say yes.

He frowns.

‘I don’t want you to feel pushed into letting me stay in the cottage. I can always find somewhere to stay. I have friends, or there’s Airbnb.’

‘Ty Coed is empty. And it’s very cosy,’ I say.

‘Well then, that sounds perfect,’ he says. And of course, I think to myself, him staying around here also means he’ll be able to see more of Nadiya.

‘Lara! Horse is coming to live on the farm!’ shouts Will across the yard to Lara. She is coming out of the barn with Luke. Suddenly the farm and farmhouse are busy and full of life, and I couldn’t be happier about it.

‘What’s this?’ asks Lara, walking towards us, side by side with Luke. Their faces are glowing; they are clearly both besotted with the puppies.

Horse laughs, a big, deep, rich laugh, and turns to her.

‘Looks like I’m going to be staying around for a bit and helping out here on the farm.’

‘Oh,’ I say, a thought occurring to me. ‘You know I can’t afford to . . .’