Page 83 of Atticus Arnott's Great Adventure

‘I can hardly believe what you’ve done for me,’ she said. ‘Your kindness means everything, and now I truly feel safe.’ They watched Ruby circling the area with Ness, whose nose was glued to the grass, intent on every new smell. ‘I still don’t think that the cottage should be in my name,’ Britta said.

‘It makes the paperwork easier,’ Atticus explained. ‘And I want you to feel secure and not worry about ever losing your home.’

‘But what about your children? What will they think?’

‘Leave that to me.’

‘I wish I could meet them. If they knew me, we might get to like each other, especially the grandchildren.’

‘One day, my love, you will.’

‘Please,’ Britta tried again. ‘Put the cottage in your name?’

But Atticus was firm. ‘We’ve discussed this, and you know my reasons.’ He reached out to embrace her. ‘We haven’t known each other for long, but at my age, I have to make the most of every day, and you make me so happy.’

‘Then move into the cottage with me?’

‘Would you like me to?’

‘Of course!’ Britta was emphatic. ‘Why would you think otherwise?’

‘Because I respect your freedom, your need to paint, and the fact that you may want time alone.’

‘Have I not told you that I love you? How often do you need to hear it?’

‘As often as you want to tell me.’ He kissed her upturned face. ‘And I love you too, my darling Britta,’ he added. ‘But I may have to return to Cumbria at certain times unless the EU regulations change.’

‘Is there anything to stop me coming with you?’

‘That’s what I hoped you would say, and nothing would make me happier than to show you my Cumbrian home and for you to meet my family.’

‘Then that’s settled,’ Britta beamed. ‘We have much to look forward to.’ She wrapped her arms around Atticus, and they kissed again.

‘Oi! You two!’ a voice called out. ‘Get a room!’

Cheryl strolled towards them with takeaway bags of food, her smile wide. ‘You’re like love’s young dream, the pair of you,’ she said, shaking her head. ‘Now, where’s my Ruby and that daft dog of yours? I’ve got both of their favourite treats to see us through the rest of the journey.’

Atticus stared at the mountain of food Cheryl was loading into Winnie. ‘We’ll be there in an hour or so,’ he said. ‘You’ve enough to keep us going for days.’

They all looked up as Ruby and Ness came racing around a corner.

‘Are we off?’ Ruby asked and climbed into Winnie.

‘Waggons roll!’ Cheryl said and settled her bulk beside them. ‘Next stop, the high-rise haven of the Costas!’

‘Granny’s party paradise!’ Ruby joined in.

Atticus helped Britta to her seat then checked to make sure his friends were comfortable. ‘What have you let me in for?’ he asked as he secured Winnie’s sliding door.

Cheryl and Ruby glanced ateach other.

‘What happens in Benidorm, stays in Benidorm!’ Ruby called out.

Cheryl turned to Atticus, with a hint of mischief. ‘Unless you post it on Instagram…’

Jake and Arthur stood in the shed at Shirlarth Cottage and studied multiple strings of fairy lights heaped in a tangle on the bench before them. The festive gnome display that adorned the driveway had suffered a blackout the night before when Arthur, having enjoyed too many pints at the pub, stumbled and became entangled in the wires on his way home.

‘You could have been killed,’ Jake frowned as he observed the blackened bulbs.