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convinced you otherwise yet?’
    ‘Nope. And as for wine - only a bit, now and then. But if I have any alcohol tonight I’ll be asleep in seconds. That fire’s going to hypnotise me as it is.’
    She watched her father pour himself a generous drink, and a glass of water for her, feeling somehow reassured by the sight of him, yet experiencing a tug of sadness that she only had him here with her for a couple more days. Not that she begrudged him his trip of a lifetime. She’d been instrumental in making it possible. But she realised now, when faced with the realness of him, that she was going to miss her dad over the next few months. Somehow more than she’d missed him when she’d been living down south.
    This entire house was filled with objects that would remind her of him constantly; and his absence would be felt in the village, too, with people inevitably stopping her to ask if she’d heard from him, and if he was enjoying his extended holiday.
    John Mason, hailing from nearby Chester, had been a fixture in Harreloe since he’d been a young man. Just a newly qualified vet back then, joining a small practice, marrying a local girl, and gently insinuating himself into every aspect of village life until he was possibly the most respected member of the community.
    Tall, broad-shouldered, virtually Scandinavian with his blaze of fair hair and mesmerising blue eyes. He was still well-toned to this day, having aged with a flair other men could only dream of. White-gold hair only made him more distinguished. Lines on his face lent him a wise, rugged look. Nell still looked up to him as an Arthurian type king.
    The stuff of Legend.
    And yet also - just Dad.
    ‘I’m really happy for you and Yvette.’ Nell’s sincere pleasure for them brimmed over into her voice, making her sound emotional. ‘You both deserve this trip. Especially Yvette, after that cancer scare last year.’
    ‘I know. I want to make this special for her.’ Her father stared down into his whisky. ‘Actually, there’s something I need to tell you, Ellena . . .’
    Nell realised that she already knew what he was about to say. ‘You’re going to ask her to marry you - aren’t you?’
    Her dad looked up with a jolt, almost spilling his drink. ‘How . . . ? I haven’t even told your sister . . . I’ve never mentioned marriage with regards to Yvette before . . .’
    ‘You’ve been “dating” for years now, so it’s hardly a shock. Did you think Emma and I wouldn’t approve?’
    ‘I don’t know. Perhaps . . .’
    ‘It was weird when you first started seeing her, I’ll admit. You hadn’t been out with anyone since Mum . . . But Yvette’s such a genuine person, and she’s made you happy again. We were all upset last yea r when she was ill, waiting for the test results to come back. She feels like part of the family. And it’s so rare to get a second chance like this, Dad.’
    ‘Marriage, though - it’s a big leap. It’s not as if Yvette and I have even lived together . . .’
    ‘Well, Nana Gwen would never sanction that, would she?’ smirked Nell. ‘But this trip - spending every day together for four months - you and Yvette will be sick of the sight of each other by the time you get back. The perfect start to a happy marriage.’
    ‘I wish to God you didn’t sound so cynical.’ Her father took a gulp of whisky. ‘Not you.’
    ‘If not me, than who? Who would you wish my life on - the part of my life where my husband walked out on me and our kids?’
    Her dad remained silent.
    ‘I’m sorry.’ Nell wriggled in the armchair. ‘It’ll be different for you and Yvette. It was different for you and Mum. I know there are good marriages out there, but at the back of my mind, I think I always knew mine wasn’t one of them. I thought we were happy, but it was all one-sided. You were right to disapprove and say he was a bit too old for me. Too sophisticated. I was too immature to get married, and I’ll never know why someone like him