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It was on the tip of Katie’s tongue to invite Arlo to Christmas lunch too. Her heart urged her to ask, but her head told her that Arlo wouldn’t want to intrude and probably had plans. Then again, he’d claimed that he didn’t do Christmas so maybe he’d stay at home in the Lodge. It might be his idea of a perfect Christmas. So why did that seem so bleak to Katie?

She couldn’t manage everyone. She’d probably already done too much by bringing them all up here – it wasn’t going like the dream she’d imagined anyway, so she should stop trying to make it perfect. That ship had long since sailed.

Loud barking interrupted them. It came from outside the French windows.

‘I need to go out and see what havoc Pongo is creating,’ Arlo said, seeming relieved to have an excuse to leave. ‘I’ll pick you all up at the jetty in an hour?’

Katie nodded. ‘OK, it’s a deal. I’ll whip the others into shape.’

With a twitch of a smile, he left the room and Katie took the logs to the dining room, wondering if she’d made a tiny bit of progress with Arlo or if they’d gone backwards.

There was definitely a new coolness about him, as if he’d backed off from her, but that was hardly surprising given the circumstances.

Katie peered out of the dining room, but couldn’t see Arlo or Pongo. However, the clouds had lifted, revealing all but the tops of the fells. Maybe they would get one aspect of the perfect Christmas Eve she’d hoped for after all.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

When Katie walked into the kitchen, Athene was collecting an espresso from the coffee machine and Wanda’s mince pies were cooling on a rack. Athene told Katie that Wanda and Jess had gone back upstairs to get ready for their Christmas Eve trip to the Firholme estate.

Katie heard excited voices from upstairs: Jess and Wanda singing Christmas songs. ‘They’re like kids,’ she said, laughing. ‘I arranged with Arlo to leave at half past ten so I need to hurry them along.’

‘They’ll be down soon enough.’ Athene smiled, and then said in a low voice, ‘I know this isn’t the ideal time when we’re all meant to be getting ready to go out for a lovely day, but I don’t know when I’ll have another chance to talk to you.’

Sensing the seriousness in her tone, Katie leaned against the worktop. ‘I’m here for you, whatever it is. You know that. I like to think we’re friends now. Close friends.’

‘I wouldn’t be here if we weren’t. I can’t tell you what an honour it was to be invited into this exclusive circle.’ Athene smiled again, putting on a brave face although Katie sensed that she was on the edge of bursting into tears.

Athene put her cup down and took a few moments before continuing. ‘I don’t think you’ll be surprised to find out – or maybe you will be surprised – that I’ve managed to go and get my heart broken.’

Even though Katie had been anticipating something like this, she still let out a little sigh of sympathy. ‘Oh, Athene. I am sorry.’

Athene lifted her chin and sighed. ‘It’s my own fault. He’s already taken.’

‘Ah.’ Katie resisted the urge to gasp. Getting involved with someone in a relationship wasn’t what she’d expected from the cautious, savvy Athene but Katie wasn’t going to judge. Her own love life was messy too, to say the least.

Athene traced a circle on the table. ‘There’s an added complication. He works in publishing …’

‘Oh, no. Oh, Athene.’ Katie’s heart went out to her, whatever the circumstances.

Athene glanced up, her eyes bright with tears. ‘And actually you do know him, or of him. It’s Guy Macallan.’

‘No!’ Katie couldn’t help herself but then lowered her voice. ‘Gorgeous Guy?’

The head of Macallan Publishing was one of the most successful figures in the literary world. He was a silver fox who, Katie had to acknowledge from her brief contact with him at publishing events, was undeniably handsome and very charismatic.

‘You’re shocked, aren’t you?’ Athene said. ‘Shit. I knew you would be. How could this happen to me? I’m streetwise, shrewd Athene; someone who’d never let anyone get one over on her, who’d never let pleasure get in the way of business …’ She closed her eyes briefly. ‘My reputation would be toast if anyone in the business got to hear that I’ve been wasting my Dior mascara over a man – especially Guy Macallan. They’d either wet themselves laughing or order a bottle of champagne.’

‘No, they wouldn’t!’ Katie burst out and had to lower her voice again. ‘You’re liked and respected and admired by so many people.’

‘Liked, respected and admired.’ Athene scoffed. ‘That’s very kind of you, but I – oh, foolish woman – rather fancied being something more.’

‘Loved too. Loved by me.’ Katie moved to hug her but Athene batted her away.

‘No, no physical contact, please, or I’ll ugly cry and scare the birds.’

Katie kept her distance, although her heart was breaking for her friend. She must be feeling so raw. ‘Can I ask you something?’

Athene gave a bitter little laugh. ‘Feel free.’