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A few minutes later, some headlights approached, and she recognized the car that had died on Kirsty’s street a few weeks ago.

Standing and realizing that her bottom had gone numb, she waddled painfully over to open the passenger door.

She leaned down and popped her head in. “I almost didn’t recognize this car with the engine running.”

He smiled, and she felt as if the sight of that might heal all her ills. Nearly.

“Get in,” he said.

“It’s fine,” Maya replied, staying put. “I overreacted. I’m just going to head home.”

Sam raised his eyebrows. “Get in the car. I’m taking you somewhere.”

She sighed. “Okay, okay. But I really am fine.” Climbing inside, she removed her hat and gloves.

He eyed her as she buckled in, then set out toward the crossroads. Maya stayed quiet, unable to trust her voice not to break and give way to tears.

Sam took them through town and up the hill road, the Tavern looming into view with its big sparkly tree.

“The pub?” Maya asked, raising her eyebrows. “I suppose I could do with a drink.”

Sam parked. “We’re not going inside.”

He climbed out of the car and she followed suit, frowning as he lifted something from the boot.

“What’s that?”

“A waterproof sheet.”

“What for?”

“Sitting on.” He gave her a smile and held out his hand.

She studied him curiously for a second, then took it. Despite both their hands being gloved, it still sent tingles up her arm. Sam led her toward the fairy-light-adorned tree line, and onto the little path that led through the woods, turning on the torch on his keys.

“Hey,” she said, raising her eyebrows. “I hope you’re not leading me into the nook to have your wicked way with me.”

Sam laughed. “That’s not where we’re going.”

Course not. There’s no way you want to be there with me. She shoved the memory of him and Cat on the path together from her mind.

As they made their way along, the familiar cluster of foliage that was the nook came into view. Maya smiled as she remembered being in there with a guy when she was younger. Not one as attractive as Sam, but it had been exciting at the time.

Back then, the area had been tamed into the shape of a den in which amorous teens had found private shelter. But now years of disuse had caused it to grow out of its previous shape, and it resembled an overgrown bush. Feels a bit like me. Overgrown and messy.

Sam glanced over as they passed it by, continuing along the path through the woods. “Okay?”

“Yeah,” Maya said, picking her way along next to him. “I just wish I knew where we were going.”

“You’ll see.”

Eventually they emerged from the trees onto a snowy field, and Maya was struck by how clear the sky was. Every star could be picked out precisely.

“Oh my goodness.” She stopped for a second to study the heavens, holding her breath in awe.

“Right?” Sam said, smiling. He squeezed her hand. “Come on. We’re nearly there.”

Crunching through the snow over the field, Maya could see that it led to the downward slope of the hill, which overlooked a little valley in the mountains.