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Katie tried to stifle her giggles. ‘He looks very proud of himself and it’s a shame to keep him locked away.’

‘No, it really isn’t.’ Ned threw the dog a menacing glare.

‘Perhaps for a couple of hours?’ Athene suggested.

‘I’ll take him out for a run,’ Arlo said, hunched in embarrassment.

‘You could always try starting the launch again then Pongo could recuperate at home,’ Ned suggested, wafting his hand in front of his scrunched-up nose.

‘No way!’ Wanda cried.

‘There’s no need for anyone to leave,’ Katie said firmly. ‘Pongo is welcome here and I’m sure he’ll feel better when he’s back on his usual diet.’

‘Maybe he’ll have to miss out on the turkey though,’ Arlo said. ‘Come on, you rogue.’

As soon as they were out of the room, Ned let out a sigh. ‘Has anyone got a can of air freshener or shall we ask for a discount off the rental fee?’

‘You’re forgetting something,’ Athene said tartly. ‘You didn’t pay for the rental.’

‘Shall we close the doors?’ Katie said loudly. ‘I think we’ve let in enough fresh air for now.’

When Arlo returned, still apologising, Wanda presented him with a gift bag of her mince pies in a ribbon-wrapped tin she’d found in the kitchen.

‘I’m – That’s very kind of you, Wanda,’ he said, giving her a peck on the cheek that had Wanda blushing to the roots of her hair. ‘I’ll have to go on a diet after all this great food.’

‘Oh, you can stand it,’ Wanda said. ‘You’re always on the go, chopping wood and carrying stuff about.’

‘Very impressive,’ Ned muttered.

Sensing the tension rising, Katie dived in. ‘Ned. These truffles look delicious.’

‘And your notebook is perfect. You know me so well.’ Katie had been in a dilemma about getting Ned anything at all but the notebook made by a local artist at Firholme felt small but personal – but not too personal.

‘I know you’ve got loads of notebooks but it might be useful.’

‘I’ll be using it for my Millican Dalton notes. It’ll remind me of the location when I’m back in my garret in London.’

‘Lovely,’ said Katie. ‘How about we all go for a walk?’

‘I want to prepare the veg. It’s time to get stuck in,’ Wanda said. ‘Arlo?’

‘Coming, Chef.’

Katie had to hand it to Arlo. He was doing his best to join in with the festivities and was making their aunt’s day. Even Pongo’s predicament had been entertaining to everyone except Ned.

‘Coming for a walk?’ she asked him.

Ned patted his stomach. ‘Why not? I need the exercise after all that sourdough, and frankly, I can’t get enough fresh air. I have a very sensitive nose.’

‘If you don’t mind, I think I’ll have a soak in the tub with these new lotions and potions you gave me. I never have time normally,’ said Athene, ‘and it might help dispel the eau de Pongo.’

Katie had presented her with a mini-hamper of bath goodies and an envelope containing an idea for her next book.

‘Sounds like a good idea,’ she said, guessing Athene wanted a little time to herself.

Katie was relieved that Arlo seemed more than happy to be in the kitchen with Wanda and was optimistic that the day could pass off in relative peace despite the undercurrent of tension between the boys. She was also conscious that she needed to find a moment to speak with Arlo alone. She had a Christmas gift for him that would have to be handed over in private.

Jess was keen so the three of them wrapped up and set off, not that they could go far on the island. The winter light bathed everything in a soft glow that Katie found a bit melancholy. In contrast, Jess was in raptures, taking a ton of photos for her Instagram and raving that the colours and textures had inspired her to create her own fabric range for her shop.