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And then she caught a glimpse of something in the man’s eyes, an emotion she recognised, and she realised in that moment that all he really wanted was company. The reason he didn’t want her to leave wasn’t because he had nefarious intentions, but because he didn’t want to be alone. All that money and a big, empty house. But loneliness, she knew, burrowed inside you and chilled you from the inside out. It had nothing to do with where you were living.

She thought about the day she’d experienced the true meaning of loneliness. Her mother had died, and her life had changed shape. She’d had a complicated relationship with her father, and with her mother gone Izzy had found herself pushed out of a space where she’d once belonged. It was only after she’d lost her mother that she’d understood how much her mother had insulated Izzy from her father. Losing that buffer had a profound effect. She no longer felt like part of a family.

Thinking back, she realised that in all the many visits she’d made to this client, the place had either been empty, or he’d been alone. Normally, when she staged a house she had to remove myriad personal items. In this house there had been very few personal items. No photographs, no memorabilia, nothing to suggest this man had a life outside his work. Instead of decluttering, her role had been to inject warmth into a living space that was startlingly sterile.

Maybe that was the reason he now liked the place. She’d turned his huge, silent mausoleum of a house into an inviting home. There were even photographs, chosen by her. Prospective buyers would look at those photographs and picture themselves raising a family here, celebrating with friends and enjoying all the outdoors had to offer.

He’d accepted those additions as a necessary part of the process, but when she’d offered to add Christmas decorations he’d refused.

She felt a stab of sympathy, thinking of him alone here. When they walked out and closed that enormous front door behind them, what would he do? Would he spend the holidays sitting in an echoey silence? Drink champagne by himself? Maybe she should tell him that being alone was fine. Better than fine. It could be fun. And, best of all, it was safe. When you were alone, you were the one in control. No one could make you feel bad about yourself. No one could hurt you.

She wanted to say something comforting, but what could she say? She knew nothing about his personal circumstances other than the fact he was wealthy. She’d read something about an acrimonious divorce, but she knew better than to trust what she read online.

She could feel her phone buzzing in the pocket of her jacket. She ignored it. It would be her boss, asking her how it was going for the millionth time. It would have gone faster if she hadn’t kept having to stop and answer his calls.

“You’ve turned the place into a home.” The client took a slow look round his newly staged living room. “I was planning to spend Christmas at my lodge in Aspen, but now I’m wondering if I might just stay here.”

Aspen? How was he planning to get to Aspen? The snow was piling up and at this rate, they wouldn’t make it to the end of his driveway.

Unless they started their journey in the next few minutes, they’d all be spending Christmas here. And although she sympathised with the man, her sympathy didn’t extend to spending the holidays trapped with him. She’d kill him, and presumably a dead body wasn’t what Santa wanted to find waiting for him when he squeezed himself down the chimney.

Her phone buzzed again. She kept her focus on the client. “I’m happy you’re happy. And hopefully now the buyer will be better able to picture themselves living here.”

“It’s going to make all the difference. Maybe we should even be raising the asking price.” He turned to Jason. “Did you get good shots?”

Izzy winced. It wasn’t the question to ask Jason, who was considered one of the best photographers in the business.

Still, she took advantage of the brief interlude to finally check her phone.

She had fourteen messages.

One was from Chloe.

You’ve seen the severe weather warning? I hope you’ve already left, but if you haven’t get on the road right now or you’ll be spending Christmas with that creep.

And also from her boss, Howard.

Is our client happy? I’d like an update before I leave the office. I’m counting on you to bring this home.

She managed not to roll her eyes. Good to know her boss was concerned for her welfare. Not.

There was a message on the whole-company messaging loop.

Christmas drinks cancelled because of the weather. We’ll do something in January.

That was one piece of good news, Izzy thought. The last thing she needed was to stand around making stilted conversation over cheap fizz or disgusting eggnog with Howard and the rest of the senior leadership team.

She messaged Howard first.

Just finishing up here. Will call from the car. All good!

Then she replied to the work loop.

Such a shame! Happy holidays to all.

She grinned as she sent it, well able to imagine Chloe’s expression as she read it.

Chloe messaged her back immediately.