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“Wow, thank you,” said Lottie. She felt pride in the work she and her colleagues had done. “Even with the power cut?”

“Especially with the power cut,” he continued. “You all ensured we had all we needed, you were friendly and welcoming, and I cannot recall my son and I having a better Christmas. Complete with snow, no less.”

“We can’t take credit for that,” laughed Anne-Marie.

“Perhaps not,” agreed Satnam. “But while Anne-Marie and I were talking, she mentioned you were looking at the next step on your career ladder.” Satnam’s eyes sparkled as he looked at Lottie. “I’m looking for a new manager to oversee a whole host of our operations, and I think you might fit the bill.”

“Me?” Lottie placed her hands on her chest.

“Yes. You’re clearly one of the driving forces in making this place what it is,” said Satnam.

“She is,” echoed Anne-Marie.

“You don’t need to answer now. I have to give you the details and the pay and that kind of thing,” said Satnam.

“Would I need to move?” Lottie asked, looking first at Satnam and then Anne-Marie.

“I don’t see why,” said Satnam. “You could do much of the work remotely, and for the rest you’d need to travel around venues across the country. You could do that from here.”

“But the cottage kind of goes with the job,” Lottie pointed out, looking at Anne-Marie.

“It’s your cottage now,” said Anne-Marie. “It has been for a long time. You can have it for as long as you want it.”

“I’ll pay more rent,” Lottie insisted.

“We’ll see,” said Anne-Marie, a maternal smile on her face.

The unexpected conversation didn’t take long, and once Satnam had taken Lottie’s contact details, he seemed keen that she continue to enjoy her Boxing Day.

Lottie headed back to the cottage feeling a sense of excitement and promise. She couldn’t wait to speak to Hannah and let her know her news. She might even get to spend time in London now and then, which could be a great way to see Hannah.

But this wasn’t just about Hannah. This was about her, and she loved the idea of using all the knowledge she had gained in the last two decades to help other people succeed.

By the time she got back to the cottage Zack was laying the kitchen table with all the leftovers from their Christmas meal. “I think leftovers are my favourite part of Christmas,” said Lottie as she pulled her scarf off, grateful that someone had thought to light the open fire in the grate.

“Me, too,” said Hannah, walking in with a glass of Shiraz in her hand. “Everything OK at the castle?”

“How did you know that was where I was?” asked Lottie, hanging up her coat.

“Where else would you be,” said Hannah, taking Lottie in her arms and kissing her. “I have news.”

“So do I,” said Lottie.

Chapter Forty-Eight

HANNAH

It had become clear to Hannah over the last few days that in recent months, her job had asked too much of her. She was exhausted and stressed, and it was only through leaving London and coming up to Scotland that she had started to feel herself unwind.

Burnout. Mark had mentioned it. She’d googled the symptoms, and couldn’t believe how accurately they described the way she’d been feeling. She knew she couldn’t go back to working in the studio straight away. The idea filled her with a kind of dread she’d never felt about work. It was a profession she loved.

She’d called Mark to talk it through with him, and quite quickly a plan had formed.

“So, you first,” said Hannah, seeing that Lottie was brimming with excitement from the way she was bouncing on the balls of her feet. Zack had disappeared back into the living room.

Lottie proceeded to explain about the job offer she’d just received. It sounded perfect for her. “And you can still live here?” Hannah asked.

“Yes,” beamed Lottie. “But I’ll be able to see you in London when I’m working there, and maybe we can visit some of the hotels and resorts together.”