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‘What’s so funny?’ Athene asked with a slight edge that only someone like Katie, who knew her really well, might have detected.

Greg tried to stem his laughter but Arlo cut in. ‘I think Greg’s laughing at the idea of me being Mr Darcy. Pongo was Pongo when I got him. He was a rescue dog from a family who’d just had twins and couldn’t give him all the attention and walks he needed. He was two and already called Pongo …’

‘Well, that’s literary too,’ Katie said, feeling a bit sorry for Arlo. ‘Pongo’s the main character in 101 Dalmatians.’

‘Unfortunately, that doesn’t help me when I’m calling him to come back and I’m surrounded by local farmers and locals. I’ve a sneaking suspicion they already view me as a posh twat who owns the Island House, even though our family has been around for centuries.’

‘I don’t think you’re posh,’ Greg said, deadpan.

Arlo rolled his eyes. ‘Thanks. I did notice you left the “twat” part out.’

Katie stifled laughter and even Athene was suppressing her mirth.

‘Well, I think Pongo suits him, as long as he doesn’t live up to the name when he’s visiting the house,’ Athene said.

Arlo laughed. ‘I hope not too.’

The dogs chased around and Jess and Wanda went hunting for sticks so they could play fetch with them in the shallow water at the edge of the lake.

Arlo happened to catch Katie’s eye and she smiled briefly but looked away.

‘So, Greg,’ Athene said, ‘if you have a sheepdog, does that mean you’re a shepherd?’

He laughed. ‘Gin may be a Border collie but yes, I am a sheep farmer, though I wear a few other hats. Like Arlo, I’m in the holiday-let business and I do have a shepherd’s hut on the bottom field if that counts.’

Athene gasped. ‘You have an actual shepherd’s hut? They always look idyllic with the tiny kitchen and rustic vibe.’ Athene sighed. ‘“And every shepherd tells his tale …”’ she quoted dreamily.

‘“Under the hawthorn in the dale …”’

Arlo and Katie stared at Greg.

Athene’s jaw dropped momentarily before she mimed applause. ‘Well done. I didn’t know you knew Milton.’

Greg frowned. ‘Who’s he? Sorry, I only know that one line. Can’t remember from where. School probably, but it’s stuck like glue.’

‘Who’s the posho now?’ Arlo said wryly.

Greg laughed. ‘Posh? With this accent?’

‘I rather like your accent. It’s rugged, like all the locals,’ Athene added hastily before hugging herself. ‘You know, I think it’s getting very chilly. I might go back to the house to warm up.’

‘I must be getting back too,’ Greg said. ‘I’ve to meet the vet in the yard about one of my ewes.’

Calling the dogs to them, Arlo and Greg walked back to the house with Katie, Wanda, Athene and Jess. Katie’s guests were chatting about the evening’s Christmas movie night and deciding which film to watch.

‘I don’t mind as long as it’s anything but The bloody Holiday,’ Athene declared.

Wanda groaned in horror. ‘Oh no, I love that one!’

‘Why do you hate it?’ Jess asked.

‘Kate Winslet’s character is such a wuss,’ Athene said. ‘I reject any romance novel unread if someone compares it to The Holiday.’

Katie sniggered. ‘You must reject a lot of books.’

‘I like a feisty heroine who can stand up for herself and not waste her whole life mooning after some bloke who’s a total sh—’ Glancing behind at the guys, she lowered her voice. ‘A lost cause.’

‘What about Love Actually?’ Jess said. ‘There’s the guy who’s hopelessly in love with his best friend’s wife in that.’