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‘It’ll be much more fun if we’re all together,’ she said a little too haughtily for her liking.

‘And it’s the lesser of two evils if I come over?’ he asked. ‘Better to have me on site as a thorn in everyone’s side than have everyone feeling guilty that I’m here by my lonesome with a turkey ready meal for one?’

‘You’re not a thorn and you can second guess my motives any way you like,’ Katie said, growing annoyed with him for winding her up and for being far too perceptive for her comfort. ‘But I’d like you to come and everyone agrees, so it’s up to you.’

‘Katie, thank you for inviting me. It’s so like you – thinking of others. I must admit I wasn’t relishing the prospect of spending Christmas Day on my own in the Bothy although it would give me a taste of how Millican Dalton must have felt.’

‘I thought he went back down south to a nice hut during the winters,’ Katie muttered.

Even though she’d asked Ned, Katie didn’t feel any more relieved that he was going to be part of her Christmas again. The immediate pressure was off but she was aware she was only kicking the bigger decision down the line.

‘True.’ Ned’s eyes glinted and Katie guessed he’d had an idea that she wasn’t sure she’d entirely like. ‘And I’d love to come over. There’s just one teeny problem.’

Just one? Katie thought, thinking of a dozen consequences of Ned spending the day with them. ‘What’s that?’

‘How am I going to make it to the Island House on Christmas morning? I presume Arlo won’t mind bringing me over in the launch? Otherwise I’ll be rowing over in that deathtrap dinghy he keeps tied up at the jetty.’

Katie groaned inwardly. ‘I hadn’t thought of that. I don’t think rowing is a good idea. I’ll speak to Arlo.’

For a man seemingly worried about inconveniencing Arlo, Ned’s eyes gleamed with excitement. ‘It’s hardly fair to make him turn out on Christmas morning when he’s probably going to a friend’s or that sheep farmer guy’s place. So, I wondered if it might be better if he gave me a lift over later on Christmas Eve? Of course, it would mean me staying over but it seems like the best solution. And of course, there’s no way he can come back and get me on Christmas night when he’ll probably be pissed so I may as well kip on the island until Boxing Day too.’

A litany of expletives ran through Katie’s mind. The last thing she wanted was for Arlo to act as chauffeur to Ned but it was too late to back out now.

‘And Ned,’ she said, ‘I think we need to have a proper talk – in person, not … like this. We need to go somewhere quiet.’

Instead of looking triumphant, Ned hesitated before answering. ‘I think that’s a good idea – and in fact I know just the place. I’ve been planning to go up to Dalton’s cave. Don’t worry, Arlo assures me it’s perfectly safe and easy to get to. The weather looks good and we could both have some fresh air and privacy.’

Plus, it was the perfect opportunity for Ned to do some research, Katie thought, but didn’t say so. Did she mind that he was using the opportunity for research too? Probably not, because at least he wouldn’t be totally focusing on their relationship.

She nodded. ‘OK. You seem to have it all worked out. I’ll check the arrangements with Arlo. I’ll see you tomorrow and, er, I’ll let you go and put some clothes on before you get cold.’

Why was her special Christmas with friends unravelling? Why was everything horribly complicated?

Katie lay back on the pillows, staring up at the ornate cornices and ceiling rose, all intertwining vines and scrolls that didn’t seem to end anywhere but came back on themselves.

She had a feeling Arlo wasn’t going to be delighted by having to ferry Ned around when he hadn’t even been on her guest list. Worse, having Ned in close proximity at such a significant time would force her to reopen wounds she’d long thought were healed.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

#ChristmasEveEve was trending the next morning when Katie woke up and checked her socials.

Plans were in full swing to make the most of it although Katie was feeling far from festive. With the launch fixed, Jess and Wanda decided to go to a ‘carols on the lake’ morning in Keswick. Athene wanted to stay on the island, assuring Katie that she’d be fine and would enjoy some time to herself to catch up with some reading.

Arlo collected them and dropped them at the jetty and went back to the Lodge, having let slip he was off to a Christmas coffee event for local traders. He hadn’t asked their plans, although Wanda had mentioned the carols to him and Katie was happy to let him assume she was accompanying Jess and Wanda.

‘Oh look. It’s those mad swimmers again,’ Wanda said, pointing to a van surrounded by Erin and her friends. They waved and beckoned Wanda over.

‘Oh dear. I ought to go and say hello, hadn’t I, or it will seem like I’m avoiding them. I won’t be a mo.’

Wanda hurried to the van and Katie took her chance to speak to Jess. ‘Look, I didn’t want to say this earlier but I’m going for a walk with Ned. We need some time and space to have a proper … catch-up.’

Jess’s face fell even though she’d been the one to urge Katie to have such a talk. ‘You are?’

‘Yes. We either leave things hanging or get them out in the open.’

‘Maybe he won’t want to stay after you’ve had this talk,’ Jess said.

‘I doubt he’ll go home now but that’s up to him.’