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Hannah let the food bring some much-needed strength to her, both mentally and physically.

“Buck’s fizz?” Anya was hovering above her table with a tray full of glasses.

“Yes, please,” said Hannah. “This is personalised service.”

“An old castle tradition,” said Anya, placing a glass before Hannah. “The chef always serves buck’s fizz on Christmas Day here. Merry Christmas to you.”

“And to you,” said Hannah. “And may I say, this breakfast is delicious.”

“You certainly may,” said Anya with a twinkle in her eye. “And I see I have you booked down for Christmas lunch here later on?” There was a question about more than just lunch in Anya’s eyes, and Hannah chose not to overthink it.

“Yes, that’s right. The menu looks impressive,” said Hannah.

“Well, I hope you enjoy it,” said Anya, moving on to the next table.

Hannah took a sip of the buck’s fizz, remembering the envelope under her door. It could well be the only Christmas card she got today, so she knew she ought to open it.

She tore open the envelope and a familiar scrap piece of paper fell out. Her heart quickened. It floated onto the table and Hannah saw the familiar words in front of her. She didn’t understand. Why would Lottie – assuming it was Lottie – send this to her? Lottie was many things, but Hannah didn’t think she was cruel. She fingered the edges of the paper and turned it over, keen to remove the words from her sight.

But there, on the other side, were more words. They were in the same neat handwriting as before. And they were also in a list.

Reasons why I want to spend more time with Hannah:

She is beautiful and brave.

She kisses better than anyone I have ever kissed.

She is independent in a way that I really admire.

She wears a suit so well it makes my knees weak.

I don’t care how far away she lives.

I am falling for her.

Underneath the list was a sentence and an invitation:

I’m so sorry you found this list. Please let me explain over Christmas lunch – 1.30pm at my cottage.

Happy Christmas.

Lottie xxx

Hannah ran her fingers along the words. Words that she had never expected to read, and definitely not from Lottie.

Should she go and have Christmas dinner at Lottie’s cottage? The new list didn’t take away the pain of the old one. But it did knock off its harsher corners.

She knew that going to the cottage was a risk. A big one. It meant having that conversation about what might happen next. She wasn’t used to opening up like this, and she’d never expected to do it with Lottie.

Hannah knew that she could just ignore the invitation, leave on Boxing Day, and never look back. She had lived perfectly happily without Lottie before. She could do that again. Her work kept her busy enough, and it didn’t come with the risk of a broken heart.

She returned to her room.

Recipe: McLennon Castle Porridge Brûlée

Make your porridge as usual – two parts water to one part oats. Heat until it is the right consistency, making sure to add a pinch of salt.

Add a swirl of double cream, complete with a dab of whisky and mix in, serving in a bowl.