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The swimmers waved at them. ‘Woo-hoo!’

Wanda smiled politely and lifted her hand.

‘Oh, look, Erin’s coming ashore.’

The other swimmers stayed in the shallows but Erin waded towards them.

‘Hi there!’ Katie called as Erin reached them, her wetsuit dripping water.

Her cheeks were pink and her smile bright. ‘Happy Christmas! Hope you had a lovely day.’

‘We did, thank you,’ Wanda said politely. ‘That water looks cold.’

‘It’s not too bad in a wetsuit. Really blows the Christmas cobwebs away and combats a tiny bit of the festive excesses.’

‘I’m sure it does,’ Wanda said tightly.

‘Did you have Christmas Day off?’ Katie asked.

‘Yes, though none of us could wait to get out of the house this morning. We’re swimming again tomorrow from the shore by the Borrowdale Hotel. Why don’t you come out with us? Forecast looks good.’

‘Oh, I couldn’t.’ Wanda slid an anguished glance at the swimmers – or was it a look of longing and envy?

‘Go on, Auntie. You’d love it, I’m sure.’

She shook her head vehemently. ‘No, I look awful in a swimsuit. Too wrinkly.’

Erin roared. ‘The last thing any of us worry about is wrinkles. Too busy staying afloat and keeping warm! You’re welcome too, Katie, or any of your guests.’

Katie laughed. ‘Thanks, Erin.’ She had a thought. ‘Does Arlo ever come wild swimming?’

Erin smirked. ‘We have tried but he’s not interested. Says he’d rather stay on the water than in it.’

Katie smiled.

‘I don’t blame him,’ Wanda murmured.

‘The offer’s always open. Now, I’m off. The sooner we can swim back, the sooner we can be in the pub for a Boxing Day coffee and mince pie. Arlo has my number if any of you change your minds.’

As they splashed away, Katie linked arms with Wanda. ‘I’ll do it with you if you don’t want to be on your own,’ she offered, although she was cringing at the prospect.

‘You?’ Wanda gasped. ‘You hate cold water. Always have since you were a toddler. Your mum and dad couldn’t get you in the sea unless it was abroad.’

‘I’m not keen on cold water, but I’d do it for you.’

‘No. There’s no need.’ She looked out over the lake. ‘It is such a beautiful spot, though. So tranquil and what a backdrop. It’s far better than an indoor pool. I was only saying how beautiful it was to Tyrone yesterday. I wish he could be here. He told me to get out more. He says I should make the most of my time.’ Her eyes were bright with tears.

‘You’re bound to miss him, Auntie. And Uncle Ian. I’m sure he’d want you to enjoy yourself,’ Katie said, her heart going out to her aunt but unsure what comfort she could offer.

‘Tyrone would. I don’t know about Ian, but he’s not here, is he?’ she said with unusual ferocity. ‘He’s not here to give his opinion and – oh, things weren’t always hearts and flowers between us but I did love him and I know he loved me, in his own way.’

Katie felt her chest tighten with sympathy for her aunt. ‘It must be so hard for you after so long together.’

‘You have no idea, Katie. It was so bad after I lost him. I know you all think I’m from a bygone era and your uncle and I were dinosaurs and our marriage wasn’t perfect. Whose is? But we were happy. I let him take the lead … or at least think he was taking the lead.’ She smiled. ‘And that’s how we rubbed along in our old-fashioned way.’

‘No one should judge your choices,’ Katie said, feeling bad for having done exactly that.

‘Of course I regret not doing more for myself now: like driving more and taking charge of our financial affairs, DIY, even taking out the bloody bins. Because all that stuff I had to take on and learn to do again. As for joining in groups and making a life for myself, let me tell you that grief is exhausting. It was all I could do to fall out of bed and get dressed most days. Yes, it’s a bloody miracle I even put a fleece on!’