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“Yep. Your guess is as good as mine, Lotts.” Zack grinned. “But it does sound like this cooking thing is what she really wants to do.”

“It does, doesn’t it?” Lottie was so pleased Freya had found a path for herself.

“And what about you and Hannah?” asked Zack in a low voice. “Have you considered what happens next? What happens when she goes back to London?”

“Oh, I don’t know. It’s not important,” said Lottie. Two lies in the last few minutes. She needed to sort herself out.

At that moment, Lottie turned her head towards Hannah, who had been collared by Anne-Marie in the great hall where the post-dinner mince pies were being handed out. Their eyes locked and Lottie felt a sharp pull to be with Hannah.

“Have you talked to her about it?” asked Tom in a quiet voice.

At that moment, Hannah’s face changed. She took her phone from her pocket and frowned, putting the phone to her ear. Without thinking, Lottie made her way towards Hannah. A guest jostled Hannah as she listened intently to the person on the other end of the phone. Lottie took Hannah’s arm and steered her quickly to her office. This did not look like a conversation to have in a noisy room full of people.

Hannah gave Lottie a grateful smile as she closed the door and left her in privacy to deal with whatever the news was.

Lottie knew she shouldn’t hover outside the door, however tempting it was to do so. She walked back to the hall to be greeted by Anne-Marie.

“How are you, Lottie?” she asked. “I hope you’re enjoying a few days off after today.”

“Yes, thanks, Anne-Marie. But please do let me know if you need anything tomorrow or Boxing Day. I’ll only be at the cottage.” Lottie didn’t want to feel like she was leaving Anne-Marie to face everything alone.

“You’ll be in the cottage with your family. I have no intention of getting in the way of that,” said Anne-Marie. She put a hand on Lottie’s arm. “I was wondering whether you might invite Hannah to join you all?”

Lottie knew she wouldn’t be able to manage this lie as well, so she decided not to pretend anything other than the truth. “Yes, I was thinking about inviting her.” She chewed her lip. “But I don’t want to rush in and overwhelm her.”

“It’s just one day, Lottie, not a proposal,” said Anne-Marie, a twinkle in her eye.

Lottie sighed. “Yeah, you’re right. Perhaps I’m overthinking things.” She and Anne-Marie picked their way through the hall, nodding and smiling at guests. “Actually, I did want to talk to you about the future, which is something I’ve also been thinking about.”

“Oh yes,” said Anne-Marie, gathering glasses as she walked.

“Well, I was thinking about what lies next for me. I mean, not that I don’t love it here, I do, but it’s been twenty years. Maybe it’s time for a change?” Lottie watched Anne-Marie’s face closely for signs of disapproval or disappointment.

“Well, I did wonder when this conversation might happen. I assumed it would be when Freya left school.” Anne-Marie’s face didn’t give anything away.

“Really?” Lottie would never have thought about it three years ago.

“Yes. And honestly, you have so much to offer. I sometimes feel bad, like I’ve held you back all these years.” Anne-Marie put down the glasses on a table at the end of the room where the waiting staff would collect them. She fiddled with her wedding ring, her eyes suddenly filling with tears.

“Held me back?” Lottie was incredulous. “You gave me a chance, a life, when I had nothing in place. I was a twenty-two-year-old grieving for my sister and the life I’d thought I was going to have. I suddenly had two small children. You gave me everything.”

Anne-Marie gave a tight smile. “Well, perhaps it was a good thing back then. But now, I think it’s time you put yourself first.” She put her head to one side and looked at Lottie for a moment. “In lots of ways.”

“I don’t think I want to leave Fort William, or even the cottage, really. I just need a new challenge.” Lottie patted Anne-Marie’s arm. “But I doubt anything is going to just magically materialise overnight.”

“Maybe not, but it is probably worth having a look around at what’s on offer here in the Highlands. Your knowledge of the tourist industry and this area is second to none. I have no doubt there will be an opportunity somewhere for you.” Anne-Marie had clearly been thinking about this for a while.

“Perhaps,” said Lottie. “I don’t ever want you to think I don’t appreciate everything you’ve done for me, though.”

Anne-Marie shook her head and waved Lottie away. “Nonsense.”

Lottie turned as one of the guests approached. “Hi, Satnam, how are you? I saw you out enjoying the snow yesterday.”

“Oh yes, thank you,” he said. “My son absolutely loved it. It’s the first time we’ve had snow and he’s been old enough to enjoy it. He slept a full twelve hours last night – he had totally worn himself out.”

“That’s the way it should be,” said Lottie with an easy smile. “How has your stay been apart from that?”

“Oh, it’s been lovely,” said Satnam. His son’s eyes were glazed, his fingers playing idly with his father’s shirt sleeve. “I’ve been so impressed with how you all dealt with the power cut and the weather. I’ve stayed in other places where this kind of thing would ruin a stay.”