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‘I don’t like to intrude on a family occasion …’ Arlo said as politely as he could. He pushed the throttle up beyond the lake’s 5 mph speed limit, eager to be rid of Ned and his leading questions as soon as possible.

There was a pause; then Ned sighed. ‘To be honest, I feel the same.’

‘I’m sure you’re most welcome or you wouldn’t have been invited,’ Arlo replied through gritted teeth. It was easier to say what Ned wanted him to say.

Ned gave a ‘hmm’ in response and was silent from then until the launch arrived at the Island House jetty. It was a moment of self-doubt that made Arlo think he was probably being unfair to Ned, who’d been put in a difficult position by Wanda’s invitation.

What’s more, Katie’s tribulations were none of his business, and the temptation to make them his business only reinforced his determination to keep out of the whole affair.

As for spending Christmas Day on his own, well, he’d spent many an unconventional festive season with his comrades and most of those had been far more enjoyable than the ones he’d spent at his family home.

After tying up at the jetty, he watched Ned climb off safely and prepared to go home before dusk fell. Pongo, however, had other ideas. He leapt off the boat before Arlo could stop him and hared past Ned through the copse.

‘Pongo!’ Arlo shouted. ‘Come back here!’

He uttered a curse of frustration. It was useless. Having been kept indoors for most of the day, Pongo was determined to cut loose and now he was back in one of his favourite places, he was going to be difficult to round up.

Arlo jogged up the path and soon caught up with Ned, who was smirking.

‘He went that-a-way!’ Ned said in a faux-cowboy accent, an attempt at humour which irritated Arlo further and made him angry with himself for feeling jealous.

‘He’s been in all morning. I suppose I can’t blame him for cutting loose,’ he said and tried his most commanding tone. ‘Pongo, come here!’

‘I don’t think he wants to be found,’ Ned said with a laugh.

Arlo didn’t want to start haring after Pongo like the bloke whose Labrador had chased a herd of deer and ended up going viral.

‘He’s probably gone into the gardens after a squirrel,’ Arlo said as they emerged from the trees and into the gardens.

From somewhere ahead, he heard excited barking. It was the kind of joyful sound that Pongo made when he greeted someone he liked. Traitor, thought Arlo.

‘He’s with Katie,’ Ned said and waved.

His spirits nosedived. Katie. The one person that Arlo hadn’t wanted to see at this particular moment. He’d wanted to deliver Ned and scarper, but there was no chance of that now.

Katie was fussing over Pongo, who was beside himself with delight, and Arlo didn’t blame him. Once again, he’d have loved to be a Labrador.

Ned quickened his stride and Arlo sped up too, eager to retrieve Pongo and leave.

‘Hello,’ Katie said, encompassing both Arlo and Ned with her greeting.

Ned beamed. Would he hug her? Kiss her?

Instead he held up the gifts and said, ‘I made it.’

‘Oh. Lovely. I didn’t expect presents.’

‘Well, I couldn’t turn up empty-handed when you’ve invited me. Bit of a rush job round the town earlier so don’t get too excited.’

Pongo still danced around their feet.

‘It’s nice of you to think of us,’ Katie said. ‘Why don’t you go inside? I’ll be there in a minute. The others are waiting. Wanda has her “extra special” Christmas Eve mulled wine on the stove.’

‘That sounds potent. Can’t wait.’ He tossed a smile at Arlo. ‘Thanks for the lift, mate. It’s really good of you. I hope you have a relaxing day, whatever you do.’

‘Happy Christmas,’ said Arlo, wishing he could simply hare off like Pongo had done. ‘Come on, Pongo. Time to go.’

Birds cawed in the trees: the prelude to them roosting.