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Lottie wondered what Hannah needed distracting from. Inevitably, the death threat, but perhaps last night as well? She wasn’t shallow enough to try to bring the subject back to their kiss, but she couldn’t help but obsess over it. She hoped Hannah didn’t regret it. Lottie felt like Hannah might. There were hundreds of reasons why it was a bad idea for Lottie, but her gut – and other parts of her – told a different story.

“There’s something to be said for distraction,” said Lottie. “What’s the deal?” She took a sip of tea. “Obviously, you don’t have to tell me.”

“Who else would I tell?” Hannah turned her palms upward. “So, there has been a letter sent to my office, with the threats. But,” she took a deep breath, “there’s one at my flat in London as well.”

“Oh God, no. So they know where you live.” Lottie’s stomach flip-flopped. She couldn’t imagine her home being somewhere to be afraid of.

“They do. Mark has a spare key to my place, which is lucky, so he checked it out last night. He’s given it all straight to the police.” Hannah rubbed the tops of her arms, as though warming herself.

“Do they know you’re here?” Lottie frowned.

“I doubt it,” said Hannah. “Well, I sincerely hope not.” She sighed. “They’d have a job getting up here, to be fair.” She nodded in the direction of the window.

“Terrible weather has its advantages,” said Lottie grimly. “Well, I can help in terms of the local police. As fate would have it, our local bobby is Anya’s wife, Sunitra.”

“Really?” Hannah’s eyes were wide.

“The joys of living in a small community,” said Lottie with a grin. “I’ll grab the number from Anya in a bit and we can give her a call, assuming they have a landline.” She finished her macaroon and thought about Hannah’s supposed impending departure tomorrow – Christmas Eve. “You’ll not be going home tomorrow, though.”

Hannah shook her head. “No. The police have advised me to stay put for now. For Christmas, even. I’m not sure I’d have got home anyway with this snow, but given the advice, I think you’re stuck with me for a bit.”

When Hannah looked up, Lottie was sure her cheeks had gone slightly red.

Recipe: Anya’s Scottish Macaroon

This is not a macaron. We are not in France!

Line a baking tray with greaseproof paper.

Toast 70g of desiccated coconut for about 5 minutes and mix into a bowl with 70g of untoasted desiccated coconut. Set this bowl aside.

Add 120g of cooled mash potato (just potato, nothing else) into a large mixing bowl.

Gradually mix in 450g of icing sugar with the potato. The mixture will start by getting runny but then slowly thicken. Keep going until the mixture is thick and holds its shape.

Take a handful of the mixture and roll it into a ball with your hands.

Place it on the baking tray and squash it down into a flattened circle.

Do this for all the mixture and then place the tray in the freezer for 45 minutes.

Melt 300g of dark chocolate.

Dip each chilled potato circle into the melted chocolate and into the desiccated coconut, then replace on the baking tray.

Place the tray back into the freezer for 10 minutes so the chocolate completely sets.

Enjoy – but don’t blame me if your teeth fall out!

Chapter Twenty-Seven

HANNAH

“Well I’m sorry you’re missing Christmas with your loved ones in London,” said Lottie, her hands clasped around her nearly empty mug.

“Oh, no, that wasn’t really the plan,” said Hannah. “I was going to meet Mark for a swift drink in the morning, but aside from that, it was just going to be another day.” Hannah felt embarrassed by the admission.

Lottie looked confused. She drained her mug. “Really?”