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‘Arlo and Greg are a bit antsy about going home, I think. Arlo wants to try and fix the issue with the launch before it’s dark and Greg needs to go back to the farm.’

‘Of course he does. He has more important things to worry about than my dramas.’

Katie smiled sympathetically. ‘Have you seen Jess by any chance?’

‘No, sorry.’ Athene pointed ahead. ‘But she’s back at the Moot Hall now, chatting to Wanda. Greg and Arlo are there too.’

Katie heaved a sigh of relief. ‘Thank goodness. That’s everyone rounded up. Now let’s go before any other sheep go missing.’

With her friend now back in Typical Athene mode, they headed over to the others at the Moot Hall. Arlo smiled and Greg waved but before they reached them, there was a kerfuffle. Squeals of delight came from a gaggle of young women gathered by the second-hand book stall.

Wanda waved frantically and hurried to meet them. ‘You’re not going to believe this.’

Katie braced herself. ‘Try me.’

Wanda practically dragged Katie over to the stall where Katie could see a dark and tousled head surrounded by young women, most of whom were wild with excitement.

‘Oh my God, I knew it was you. I said to my friend – it’s him! It’s Ned Zanetti!’

‘I only popped into town for some supplies,’ Ned said with a sheepish grin after he’d posed for selfies and his fans had reluctantly left. ‘I’m amazed they recognised me after so many years, but The Last Vampire is on a streaming service and there’s a bit of a TikTok cult emerging. I had no idea. You know I hate having to be on social media but my agent insists.’

Athene sighed. ‘How tiresome for you.’

Jess giggled. ‘I think it’s hilarious. You’ve made their day.’

‘Fancy being mobbed in the street!’ Wanda cooed. ‘Do you mind?’

Ned winked. ‘Occupational hazard.’

From nearby but out of earshot, Katie noticed Greg looking on with amusement and Arlo beside him with a scowl in place.

‘I’m sorry if it seems like I crashed your shopping trip with the boys,’ Ned said, pointing his thumb at Arlo and Greg.

‘They gave us a lift. They haven’t been shopping with us. And you’ve every right to come into Keswick whenever you like,’ Katie said, feeling slightly guilty and at the same time annoyed with herself for feeling guilty.

‘Well, you’re obviously all shopped out and ready to go,’ Ned said, ‘and I still have a few things to get. Judging by what happened, I might be a while.’

‘We do have to go. Greg’s been waiting long enough already. Enjoy the rest of your day. Um, I expect we’ll see you later.’

‘Hopefully.’ Ned held up crossed fingers.

God, this is awkward, thought Katie while they all said their goodbyes and then finally joined Arlo and Greg.

‘Ready?’ Greg asked cheerfully.

Katie nodded. ‘Absolutely. Apologies for all the messing around.’

At least everyone was gathered in one place, but with Athene having been in uncharacteristic tears, Jess not quite herself, Arlo clamming up after their moment and Ned expecting … something she wasn’t sure of, Katie felt her relaxing Christmas break slipping yet further through her fingers.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Ned decided to stay in Keswick while Greg had dropped the rest of them at the Island House. Katie had overheard Greg invite Arlo and Pongo to dinner at Fellfoot Farm and, presumably, Arlo had walked the mile home to the Lodge.

‘Do you think it was a coincidence that Ned was in town at the same time as us?’ Katie asked Jess when they reached the Island House and were on their own.

Ned had let slip that he’d been in town a little while and Katie had wondered if he’d seen her and Arlo having a close encounter by the Moot Hall. Nothing had happened in public, of course, although she had wanted it to very badly – and it shouldn’t be Ned’s business anyway. Unlike Greg, Katie was sure Ned would not have been oblivious to how close she and Arlo were standing – if he’d seen them.

Jess shrugged. ‘He was probably Christmas shopping like us.’ She slipped her arm through Katie’s and murmured, ‘Have you decided what to do about him yet?’