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‘He did some dancing at drama school,’ Katie said, hearing whoops and cheers ring out above the frantic fiddle-playing and shouts of the caller.

Arlo emptied his glass and rose to his feet. ‘I think I’ll get another drink in.’

‘Aren’t you going to join in the dancing?’ Jess asked him.

He flashed a smile. ‘Maybe later.’

It was the interval before Katie could speak to Ned since passing him during a dance down the length of the barn hardly counted. She’d managed to recover herself enough to join in four of the dances and Arlo had joined in two but all she could think of was that Ned had dominated the evening yet again. She ought to be glad he wasn’t stuck at the Bothy working and yet she wasn’t.

He met her on the way to the bar with a pint in his hand and a disarming grin. ‘Local brew. Sneck Lifter. Sounds disgusting but actually not bad.’

‘I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself,’ Katie said, feeling awkward about not inviting him even though she needn’t. ‘Wanda’s told me that she might have had a hand in your invitation.’

‘Yes. Poor Wanda. I didn’t want to get her into trouble by mentioning it but she is so proud of her niece – and the ex.’

Katie winced. ‘Just because we’re not together doesn’t mean that you won’t always be special to Wanda or to us all.’

‘That’s a scant consolation, if I’m honest,’ he said. ‘But let’s not do this now. I’m sure we all want it to be a relaxing evening without any drama.’

‘It’s – it’s OK, and I, um, would have mentioned the dance myself but it was Greg who invited Athene and Wanda is friendly with Erin. Jess and I are here by default really.’ Katie was floundering and feeling like the villain of the evening although she wasn’t sure why.

‘Oh, I wouldn’t have dreamed of inviting myself,’ he said. ‘I was expecting to be stuck at home writing all evening but I had this knock on my door in the afternoon from two ladies with an offer I could hardly refuse. They were so sweet and wondered if I’d do the raffle and then they mentioned you’d donated some books so I thought I’d better contribute too. They’ve even chauffeured me here!’

‘I only donated a book and you can’t compare that with an all-expenses-paid trip to the West End. I didn’t mean that to sound snarky,’ she added hastily. ‘It was very generous of you.’

‘You know I’ll wangle free tickets and I could hardly ask people to pay for their own transport and accommodation,’ he said and shrugged in an ‘it was nothing’ way before turning his dark gaze on her – the one that used to leave her in a puddle. ‘You look amazing, if I’m allowed to say so. I probably shouldn’t but I’m loving that whole boho cowgirl vibe. Especially the boots.’ He waggled his eyebrows and Katie had to admit that in his black shirt and jeans, he looked about as handsome as he ever could. No wonder he’d caused a stir.

‘Thanks,’ she murmured.

‘I didn’t have time for a costume,’ he said.

‘I don’t think anyone minds,’ she muttered.

‘So, will you dance with me later?’

‘It’s not that kind of dance. I mean, I don’t think there are any couple’s dances.’

‘There’s one at the end where you can take to the floor with a partner. Erin tipped me off and so,’ he said, bowing like a Regency gentleman, ‘I’d like to secure your hand for the final dance, Miss Quillam.’

There were a dozen reasons why Katie should have said no, but she couldn’t think of them fast enough; and hearing such poignant hope in his voice, she couldn’t bring herself to reject him.

‘I can tell you want to refuse,’ Ned said, ‘and I don’t blame you, but this might be the last time we ever dance together, so …’

The lump in her throat grew bigger. ‘OK,’ she said.

He laughed. ‘“OK”? I suppose that’s better than “I am in no mood for dancing, Mr Zanetti.”’

‘I promise I’ll dance with you,’ she said, almost but not quite laughing while her stomach was churning. How could she deny him one dance – one final dance.

Yes, deep in her heart, she knew it had to be if she was ever to finally close the book on her old life and start to write a new one. She had been living in limbo.

‘Folks. It’s time for the second half of the dancing and we’re going to Christmas things up big time. Please take to the floor for our unique version of “Rocking Around the Christmas Tree”.’

The noise, the volume, the laughter and the general rowdiness filled the barn to its ancient rafters. The bar queue became a scrum and there were more collisions on the dance floor, all accompanied by general hilarity. The caller was starting to sound hoarse. Athene was flying around the room and Katie knew that she’d dance with Greg at the end. He’d trample anyone who tried to get in his way and Athene wouldn’t object.

Jess had been swept up in a group of people who Athene told her were from the local Young Farmers’ group and Wanda was tripping along with her swimming friends.

Now Jess was holding hands with Ned, making an arch, while the rest of the dancers threaded their way through. The floor almost quivered with the thump from the scores of feet. Whoops and yells rang out. People were very merry indeed, yet Katie was suddenly drained of energy.