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‘Not at all. I’m Arlo Crabtree, by the way. I’m the owner of the Island House.’

‘And the manager and housekeeper,’ Katie added without looking at Arlo.

‘Oh?’ Wanda’s brow creased. ‘I thought you’d have a team of people to take care of a huge place like that. It looks very grand on the website.’

‘I do normally, but they are unavailable at the moment,’ Arlo said in cheerful-host mode. ‘Shall I take the rucksack to the boat?’

‘Yes, please.’ Wanda heaved a sigh of relief when Arlo took her bags down to the jetty.

‘Where’s Athene?’ Katie asked.

‘Probably still in the car park by the road trying to track down a signal on her mobile. She told me to go ahead.’

Katie rolled her eyes. ‘I’d tell her not to bother with the signal. She needs to chill out!’

‘That’s what I keep telling her but she’s been making calls while we drove up here. She’s on hands-free but all that chatter makes me so nervous. And that Apple watch she wears keeps pinging with messages. I hate the way it distracts her.’

Katie had also been unnerved by Athene’s ability to negotiate a deal, check her watch for updates and navigate Central London traffic all at the same time. ‘Well, that’s precisely why I wanted her to join us here,’ she said soothingly. ‘Hopefully, she’ll have to disconnect and relax for a bit.’

‘Good! Now, come here so I can give you a proper hug.’

The scent of Estée Lauder Youth Dew clung to her aunt’s woolly scarf. Katie had given her a large bottle for her birthday and the idea that Wanda had even worn it with her outdoor gear gave Katie a warm glow. ‘I’m so pleased you’re here …’ she said, her throat a little scratchy.

‘Me too,’ Wanda said, holding Katie tighter before finally releasing her.

‘How was your journey?’ Katie asked after the bear hug.

‘Oh – so much traffic. So many huge lorries. The toilets at the services were a health hazard and I was worried it might snow.’ Wanda flashed a nervous grin.

‘It probably will snow. Look, the tops are covered.’ Katie pointed to Skiddaw.

‘Oh – I see. Well, the snow looks very pretty and festive up there, I’ll admit, as long as it stays on the hills. I want to get out and about and do some Christmas shopping. I don’t want to be trapped or run out of food. Oh, I am going on, aren’t I? I just want everything to be perfect.’

Katie thought Wanda did seem especially twitchy and anxious but wanted to soothe her as much as possible.

‘There’s no chance of us running out of food,’ she said with a smile. ‘Athene and Jess will drive us around and Arlo said he’ll make sure we have everything we want.’ Katie caught sight of him shuffling their luggage so he could fit everyone’s on board. He looked busy and capable, and she hoped that Jess, Athene and Wanda wouldn’t instantly be struck by his good looks the way she had – or worse, instantly realise that she had been struck. It was best if she asked him to help as little as possible, though that would be difficult when he would be their only means of transport to and from the island.

‘I was worried about you spending your first night alone, but of course, you had the housekeeper with you—’ Wanda suddenly frowned. ‘Did I hear Mr Crabtree say that they couldn’t come? Did that mean you were on your own in that great big house out there in the middle of nowhere?’ Wanda’s eyes fixed on the island rising out of the lake with a look of horror.

‘It’s not Alcatraz,’ Katie said with a smile. ‘I was fine.’ Apart from the nightmare, she thought. ‘Oh, there’s Athene!’

Phone clamped to her ear, dragging her case, Athene picked her way over the roots in patent knee-high boots.

‘Max! At last! Eu-bloody-reka! I have been trying to get you for hours. Now, I wanted to make sure you submitted that manuscript to – Max? Max! Argh!’

Athene stumbled and righted herself, cursing softly. ‘The call dropped out! Just when I’d finally got my assistant. Has anyone got a signal?’

She was dressed for an episode of Emily in Paris in a black-wool peacoat and with her auburn hair topped by a red beret.

Katie moved forward. ‘No. There is no signal here and your call can wait, surely.’

‘Be careful you don’t trip!’ Wanda warned. ‘These roots are lethal.’

Stifling a laugh, Katie felt a rush of love towards both her guests. She loved them despite and because of their quirks.

‘Oh, aren’t you lovely? What’s your name?’

Pongo had bounded up to Wanda, licking her hand. Her aunt, who loved dogs, immediately forgot about the hazards of the terrain and started fussing him.