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“Fantastic. We’ll need to go to the supermarket to pick up some sprinkles to go on top. I’m all out downstairs.”

“We can do that when we go for a walk,” Dylan said.

“Fine,” Lucy grumbled. “We’d better go after breakfast though. It’s supposed to pour down later.”

“OK, and I want to try mulled wine. We can get an alcohol free one.”

“Excellent. Something tells me today is going to be a lot of fun and rather educational.”

* * *

“It’s not that cold!” Dylan laughed as Lucy came out into the hallway ready to go. “You look like an Inuit!”

“It’s December!”

“You’ve got two scarves on! And how many layers are you wearing? You’ll overheat, if anything.”

“I’ll be fine. You’re the one who’s going to be begging me for my extra scarf.”

“Where exactly do you think we’re going? Antarctica?”

“We won’t be going anywhere if we don’t stop bickering,” Lucy pointed out.

“True,” agreed Dylan. “You do appreciate that that coat will do nothing to keep the rain out if it does pour down, don’t you?”

“It’s not going to rain, and I’m not going to be able to fit into it soon. I paid £220 for it, so I’m going to wear it while I still can.”

“Fair enough. And it does look nice on you.”

“Thank you. Come on. Let’s get going. I’ll never live it down if it does start raining while we’re out.”

They walked down to the beach and wandered down to the edge of the water before following it along, laughing at a seagull who appeared to be attempting to teach itself how to surf. They then made their way back up the beach and walked to the town’s park and to the castle that sat atop the hill there, before walking down the other side of the hill and round the path that curved around the perimeter of the park.

“Don’t you find it a bit boring walking this when you’d usually run it?” Lucy asked.

“No,” said Dylan. “I like your company.”

“You do?”

Dylan opened his mouth as if to say something, but closed it again. He gave a little shake of his head. “Yep. I wouldn’t be coming with you if I didn’t. I’d just send you out by yourself,” he said with a wink, making Lucy laugh.

They came out of the park and marched up to the town’s supermarket.

“You’re looking a little warm there,” Dylan commented. “Wearing too many clothes, are you?”

“I’m perfectly comfortable, thank you,” Lucy replied. The truth was that their energetic walk had warmed her up, and she would be happier without quite so many layers. But there was no way she was going to admit to that.

They went inside the supermarket, and Dylan picked up a basket. “Right,” he said. “What do we need?”

“Sprinkles for the cookies and you wanted mulled wine?”

“Yes, I’m sure they do a non-alcoholic version. Oh, do you fancy a curry for dinner tonight? I’ll keep it mild,” Dylan suggested.

“Yes, definitely,” said Lucy. “Let’s get poppadoms. I’ve got chutney in the fridge.”

They wandered around the supermarket companionably, picking up the bits for their dinner. At the end of an aisle, there was a pile of gingerbread house kits. “We’ve GOT to get one of these!” said Dylan, excitedly picking one up.

“It’ll taste rubbish,” warned Lucy.