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He smiled.

‘At least come inside. Hide away in your flat if you want to. Eat the turkey and drink the wine but retreat any time you like if the going gets tough. We won’t mind. Just don’t let me think of you rowing off in the dark or mouldering away on your own with only Pongo for company. Besides, everyone knows I’ve come down here to find out what’s going on so if they find out the launch is out of action and you decided to row home in the dark rather than endure our company, how will that make you look?’ She smiled triumphantly.

‘We’, she kept saying, referring to everyone, but Arlo could only think of Ned. The others would likely put up with him but he didn’t want Katie to think Ned’s presence had kept him away. It was a toss-up between being on his own and being with Ned.

If Ned hadn’t been there, he’d have jumped at the chance. So why should he let the guy stop him? It would be rude and churlish to row home just because Ned was there and if Ned expected him to leave, Arlo felt inclined to do the opposite.

While he was rationalising, Katie’s cheeks were flushed with hope.

She touched his arm. ‘Stay. It’ll be much more fun if you do – and you might even enjoy it.’

He nodded. ‘OK, then. If you’re sure.’

‘Hurrah!’ she said and clapped her hands together.

Pongo woofed in approval. Too late to change his mind now.

Arlo retrieved his jacket, closed the engine hatch and switched off the cabin lights. Across the water, he could hear the faint peal of bells ringing.

He followed Katie off the boat, knowing if he turned the ignition, the engine would almost certainly start and he’d be back to spending Christmas on his own.

CHAPTER TWENTY

‘Hello, everyone. Guess what? We have an extra guest for Christmas,’ Katie announced, walking into the sitting room. ‘Well, two, actually,’ she added as Pongo darted into the room.

Athene was curled up in a chair with a book, a glass of fizz in hand that she put down to stroke Pongo’s ears. ‘Hello.’

Wanda rested her iPad on to the sofa cushion. ‘Oh, how exciting!’

‘Well, I suppose technically we’re the guests and Arlo’s the host,’ Athene said before breaking into a smile. ‘But I’m very glad you decided to join us in your own house,’ she said warmly.

Arlo smiled too. ‘I hope you don’t mind.’

‘Of course we don’t mind. It’s your house.’ Wanda stroked Pongo. ‘Come and sit here. Do you want a Bailey’s?’ she asked, raising her own glass.

‘Or fizz?’ Athene asked. ‘Or a beer?’

‘A beer would be good,’ Arlo said warmly. Katie knew he must be nervous but he was back in full polite-host mode. He must be realising that he was now stuck with them all and she wondered if he’d ever feel able to relax.

Pongo settled in front of the fire.

‘But I need to go up to the staff flat and get changed first,’ he said, holding up his grimy hands. ‘I’ve had a bit of trouble with the launch engine, which is why I’m here now.’

‘I couldn’t leave Arlo and Pongo to row home so I suggested he stay the night and spend Christmas Day with us.’

‘You were going to row home?’ Wanda exclaimed.

‘In the dark and snow?’ Athene added.

‘I did think about it – I didn’t want to intrude – but Katie persuaded me it wasn’t a good idea.’

‘Pongo wouldn’t have been impressed,’ Katie said, relieved that Wanda and Athene were on board with the idea of an extra guest.

While she’d asked the others’ approval for Ned to stay, Katie realised she’d had no such qualms about inviting Arlo. Then again, it was an emergency in Arlo’s case. The warm glow that had come from knowing he’d be sharing their Christmas had cooled slightly on the walk to the house because she was a little unsure of everyone’s reactions but half the battle was won.

The easy half, she thought.

‘Where are Jess and Ned?’ she asked.