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‘If you could quickly ring round the local suppliers, make sure they’ve managed to source everything, that would help me out immensely.’

‘Oh dear, I was coming to ask if anyone has time for a film, but it sounds like you’re all rather busy,’ said Elizabeth. ‘I thought something Christmassy in the cinema room would get us all in the festive mood.’

‘I don’t have any plans,’ Fliss said quickly. ‘I need to go into the village at some point to do some last-minute shopping, but I’d love to come and watch a film with you.’

‘Then that’s settled,’ Elizabeth beamed, tucking her arm through Fliss’s and steering her out of the room. ‘Let’s go down and see Mrs Matthews, see if she can rustle up some nibbles.’

A short time later, Fliss and Lady Oliver were sitting in the dark cinema room, a bowl of freshly buttered popcorn between them and a warming mug of hot chocolate each, all provided by Mrs Matthews.

Fliss had always loved the cinema room at Clarendon Hall – Lord Oliver had been persuaded, when the children were young, to have it installed in one of the grand drawing rooms at the back of the house that was rarely used. It was furnished with mismatched armchairs and sofas that had been rescued from other parts of the grand house, but to Fliss, it felt so wonderfully cosy and nostalgic.

Fliss had looked through the extensive film collection, contemplating something funny like Home Alone or a romcom like The Holiday, but in the end she had opted for one of her favourites, a tried and tested classic: It’s a Wonderful Life.

‘Great choice, Fliss,’ Elizabeth said approvingly, as they sat in the dark on one of the oversized sofas, cosy beneath a woollen tartan blanket.

Fliss sipped at her hot chocolate as she snuggled down, watching James Stewart in black-and-white as he contemplated ending his life on Christmas Eve, only to be shown how much good he had done, and what an impact he had had on other people. With its bittersweet edge it wasn’t an obvious, feel-good movie, but Fliss adored it, finding it thought-provoking and emotional amidst so much seasonal schmaltz.

Right now, it hit a little too close to home, and Fliss found herself thinking about her own achievements, personally and professionally, wondering if she had positively affected the lives of those around her. Unlike the main character in the movie, she had followed her dreams, but had it made her any happier? If she had stayed in London – and stayed with Kit – things could have turned out very differently, she reflected.

‘It’s so lovely to be doing nothing for a change, don’t you think? Though I’ve eaten rather too much of this,’ Elizabeth said, moving the bowl of popcorn to one side, as Fliss smiled.

‘I wonder you’re not the size of a house with Mrs Matthews in the kitchen. Everything she makes is delicious.’

‘Did I tell you she’s not working Christmas Day anymore?’

‘No!’ Fliss looked shocked.

‘Well, I decided some years ago that as the Matthews do so much for us the rest of the year, it wasn’t fair to ask them to work on Christmas Day too, though I had to twist her arm to agree to it. So we’ll all have to muck in. How are your roast potatoes?’

‘I haven’t made them for years but I used to be a dab hand. I got pretty good at Thanksgiving dinners, so I can whip up a pumpkin pie if you need one!’

Elizabeth laughed. ‘It really is so good to have you here, Fliss. Neville and I both appreciate it. He’s getting more nostalgic in his old age, looking back to the past. I know he cares about you, and thinks of you as part of the family – even if you and Tara aren’t as close as you once were.’

Fliss was touched by Elizabeth’s words, and it was lovely to hear how highly thought of she was by Lord and Lady Oliver. She wondered how much they knew about everything that had happened with Kit all those years ago; presumably they had heard Tara’s version of events, and it was natural that they would side with her.

‘I guess it’s harder to stay in touch as you get older,’ Fliss said carefully. ‘Everyone’s busy with their own lives, prioritising their families and careers, as they should. It didn’t help that I’ve been on the other side of the Atlantic for years. No matter how good the technology gets, it’s not the same as catching up face to face. But I’ve never forgotten the way Tara took me under her wing and introduced me to a whole new world.’

‘Yes, we didn’t expect that,’ Elizabeth reflected quietly, ‘but children have their own lives and we must allow them to get on with things their way.’ Fliss thought it was an odd thing to say, wondering what she meant.

‘I know things were never the same between you and Tara once she married Kit. But perhaps that was for the best.’ Elizabeth patted Fliss’s hand, and their eyes were drawn back to the screen for a moment.

‘Neville and I wanted to check that that everything’s all right with you,’ Elizabeth said gently. ‘Sally didn’t tell us much about why she had invited you – just that you were taking a break from work for a while and needed to get away. Of course, we are delighted to have you and didn’t question it. But then there was an article about you in The Times and … I don’t like to pry, but I’m here to talk if you need to.’

A crimson flush spread across Fliss’s cheeks, and she was glad that Lady Oliver couldn’t see her properly in the dark. She knew that Elizabeth only had her best interests at heart, and she didn’t like lying to her. For a moment, Fliss thought about telling her the truth – confessing all about the photos and the potential scandal that threatened to overwhelm her if the story made it into the media. But instead, all Fliss said was, ‘Thank you. Clarendon Hall feels like a safe haven. It’s so nice to be back here amongst friends. I’ve had a difficult time recently … I’ve been working very hard for so long – and when you’re at the top people want to tear you down … So now was the right time to step away, to reevaluate, I guess …’

‘I’m very proud of you, you know,’ Elizabeth said, reaching across and holding her hand affectionately. ‘You always have been such a hard worker, and you’ve done so well. You absolutely deserve all the success you’ve achieved. Even as a child you were always very mature and sensible, not like Tara at all. You’ll make the right decision.’

‘I hope so,’ Fliss said as she finished her hot chocolate, watching the screen but not taking in the action. She had come here to escape, but it turned out she couldn’t run away completely. It seemed that everyone had seen the articles about her online – how long would it be until the whole truth came out?

Perhaps she should confide in Elizabeth, Fliss mused. After all, she had been planning to talk to Neville about her situation, but hadn’t yet had the chance. Perhaps Lord and Lady Oliver, with their years of experience and unparalleled knowledge of the entertainment industry, could help, spot a solution or a clue that Fliss hadn’t. ‘Actually,’ she began. ‘There is something I wanted to—’

‘So this is where all the best people are hiding!’

Fliss looked round, though she recognised the voice immediately. It took her eyes a moment to adjust from the brightness of the screen as she looked into the darkness and saw Kit walking towards her. Fliss’s cheeks grew hot, and she was glad he couldn’t see her. Christ, she turned into a schoolgirl with a crush when she was around him, she realised, desperately trying to suppress her feelings. It wasn’t fair, and it certainly wasn’t appropriate when she was a guest at his in-laws’ house for Christmas.

‘Let me guess,’ Kit began, as he glanced up at the screen. ‘Fliss’s choice?’

‘Got it in one,’ Elizabeth laughed.