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‘It’ll be lovely,’ Wanda said and Katie felt a lump in her throat: her aunt was trying so hard to apologise. She was so desperate for a reconciliation that Katie hadn’t the heart to make any more fuss about Ned being invited, even if it had made things very complicated.

Athene sighed. ‘My dad was in the Navy when he was younger, which is why Mum packed me and my three sisters off to boarding school. I was terribly homesick until I got older and then I delighted in being one of the naughtiest girls in the school …’

Everyone smiled or laughed, including Wanda.

‘Well, I want another look at that view in case it vanishes behind clouds for the next two weeks,’ Athene said.

They took their drinks over to the windows. Through the French doors and tall sash windows, the lawn and stone steps led the eye to a perfectly framed vista over the lake. The water glimmered while the snowy fells were slowly turning gold in the declining sun.

Athene’s eyes widened. ‘Now that is impressive.’

‘It’s like a fairytale,’ Wanda said breathily.

Coffee in hand, Athene came away from the window and noticed the pile of gifts in foiled wrap, tied with ribbons and bows, placed under the tree.

‘Are those from you, Auntie?’ Katie asked as Jess took a mince pie from the tin.

‘Yes. Arlo brought them in. I don’t know who arranged them.’

‘I did earlier,’ Jess said with a smile. ‘It’s not as if we’re going to have burglars here, is it?’

‘Not unless they can swim well,’ Athene said.

‘Or row?’ Jess said with an amused glance at Katie.

‘Row?’ Wanda exclaimed. ‘You don’t think anyone would row over here?’

‘I think there might be a problem with tourists trying to picnic in the summer,’ Jess said. ‘I saw a news article when I was googling the place.’

Katie swooped in to stem any worries. ‘No one in their right mind would row over here in the middle of winter,’ she said. ‘And the presents look fantastic under the tree. Very Christmassy.’

Athene joined in. ‘You three are so well organised. All those gifts are wrapped so beautifully. Wanda’s were all arranged in individual gift bags when I picked her up. I’m surprised we could fit our luggage and ourselves.’

Wanda beamed. ‘I like to do my shopping well in advance. I don’t care what time of year it is, if I see the right present, I pounce. Better than leaving it all to a rush and getting any old rubbish. Not that you’d do that, Athene – or Jess – or anyone.’

Grinning, Jess mimed shovel actions and exchanged a glance with Katie who smiled back behind her tea.

Athene laughed. ‘Stop digging, Wanda. We know what you meant. And it’s true I haven’t even started my Christmas shopping. I am looking forward to buying my gifts up here now I have time. I’m sure there’ll be some lovely things in the Keswick Christmas market. Failing that, I can buy you all hiking boots and fleeces.’

Katie laughed at Athene. ‘You wouldn’t know a fleece if it ran after you down the street, saying, “I’m a fleece! I’ve come to get you!”’

Athene bit back a snigger.

‘I rather like a fleece,’ said Wanda. ‘They’re cosy. Your uncle and I had matching ones in bottle green.’

Although she was pleased that the old banter was back, Katie felt a bit guilty for teasing. ‘Arlo was wearing a lovely fleece this morning when he was chopping firewood. They’re exactly what you need for being out and about up here.’

She almost added that Ned wouldn’t be seen dead in such an item of clothing. Worried that mentioning Arlo and/or Ned wasn’t the greatest idea, she changed topic. ‘Talking of being outdoors, does anyone fancy a walk around the island with hot choc and Christmas cake? I can show you the boathouse and folly.’

Jess smiled. ‘If there’s rum in the hot chocolate, then yes.’

‘I’m with Jess,’ Athene said and then frowned. ‘Sorry, I’ve been waiting for this call. Promise I’ll be done as soon as you’re ready to go out.’

Leaving her mug, she wandered out of the room and her voice faded.

Wanda shook her head. ‘We definitely need to go outside, especially Athene.’ Her eyes lingered on the snowy fells again. ‘And you know what, I think I might treat myself to some fleecy-lined trousers in Keswick. I’m not sure I’ve brought enough layers.’

Admiring gasps rang out as Katie led her guests through the grounds and along the circular path that wound around the island. Normally, she’d estimate that ten minutes would be sufficient to see every inch, but with so many stops to linger over views and even the tiniest feature, they’d been out half an hour before they reached the boathouse. In the shadier places, the sun hadn’t thawed the ground and the leaves crunched under their boots.