Page 86

‘Oh, Horse,’ I say, and I could just kiss him. I don’t. But I really want to. ‘They are like angels on motorbikes!’

Monday morning finds us walking through the forest, looking at the many trees that now have ornaments on them, waiting to be taken home for the holidays. Lots have been collected already, but even more were added during our busy weekend.

‘Still plenty to be picked up before Christmas,’ I say. ‘If the farm wasn’t going to be sold and the trees uprooted anyway, there would have to be a lot of replanting for the next couple of years.’

‘I saw the bloke from Christmas Tree World up here yesterday, looking around, clearly wondering what his competition was up to!’ says Luke. ‘I told him we’d sold more than we could ever have imagined and thanked him for sending customers our way.’

Horse gives a throaty chuckle.

‘Just one more weekend and a few last-minute buyers, and that’ll be it,’ I say. ‘Christmas at Christmas Tree Farm will be over.’ I clutch my mug of tea. ‘And I couldn’t have loved it more.’

‘Nor me,’ says Horse, looking down at me. ‘I can see why Paddy loved it so much.’

‘He did. Like you do. You get it. The trees, this place.’

We both slow down, lingering as Luke and Will walk on ahead through the mist of the early December morning. It’s so beautiful, and I am so glad they’re all here. I wish we could stay like this forever.

‘Do you think he would have minded me being here?’

I look up at Horse, pulling my shawl around my shoulders. I shake my head.

‘I think he would love that you love it here. And that I’m happy with you being here. I wish it didn’t have to end,’ I say.

‘Me neither,’ he says, and leans towards me, my back against the branches of a Nordmann fir. I look at his lips, wanting more than anything for him to kiss me. He leans in further, and I tilt my head.

‘Wait,’ I say. ‘What about Nadiya?’

He looks surprised, and then laughs softly.

‘Nadiya has become a friend. She’s good company. And an excellent curry teacher. But she has a family of her own.’

‘Really?’ I say.

He nods.

‘I’ve been helping her with a business she’s planning. She’s going to start making curry spice blends in tins, sell them at farmers’ markets. Just like the one she used to make for us, just like the ones she sent us recipes for. Her and her husband. I’ve been over a few times as a guinea pig, to see if the curries were to my liking . . . as a curry fan myself. They’re going to start out at the local farmers’ market in the new year.’

‘That’s brilliant!’ I say, feeling completely overjoyed. ‘In that case, now I know you’re not dating her . . .’

He smiles. ‘I’m definitely not dating Nadiya.’

‘I’d like it if you kissed me, please.’

I take hold of the edges of his leather jacket, smelling the woodsmoke, leather and pine that is Horse. He leans down to me and laughs gently, a laugh I have come to love. And as the branches of the Christmas trees embrace us, he kisses me, softly and warmly, and it’s a place I want to stay for a very long time: surrounded by the smell of pine trees and woodsmoke, against the soft branches of a Nordmann fir, with this man’s strong arms around me. And just beyond, the chubby robin, chirping merrily.

‘It’s Lara,’ I hear Will shouting, breaking into our moment of peace together. ‘Gwen, Lara’s here!’

Horse and I draw apart, smiling, looking into each other’s eyes.

‘I thought Lara was having the day off,’ I say.

‘She’s working hard, what with her own job and being here,’ he says, as he steps back and I move out of the branches of the tree.

‘She needs to rest. I’ll have to encourage her to head home and relax,’ I say; but I have a suspicion she’s not really here today because of the Christmas tree farm, nor even to help Will with his reading.

We walk towards the yard. Lara is getting out of her little car, holding a file in her arms. I see Luke’s face light up as he comes out of the barn, carrying one of the puppies.

‘Hi,’ she says, as Will runs over and hugs her.