Page 36 of The Secret Holiday Kiss

‘No, not really. Sorry, Lucy. I don’t think you get oysters on Norfolk beaches. It’s pretty magical, though.’

‘Look at all these,’ Dexter said. ‘I haven’t seen anything like it. Look, Luce, there’s a crab. Come see.’

Lucy raced over, her wellies splashing in the water, and crouched down with Dexter and Imogen, overexcited at seeing a live crab hanging out in the clear water.

‘Just make sure you’re aware of the tides when you come here,’ Daisy told them. ‘The tunnel is a pretty safe way of getting back, but if for some reason it isn’t passable, and you’ve come in along the sea’s edge, then you could get stuck.’

Dexter looked up, his expression warm. ‘We’ll be careful. Thank you for bringing us here. This place is incredible.’

‘I’m so glad.’ Daisy looked away, her cheeks burning. She kept an eye on the animals, calling Felix back when he strayed too far, although he was clearly capable of staying out of trouble when he chose to, and making sure the dogs didn’t leave her sight. Artichoke and Clifton hung out together, the small pooches befriending each other, and Daisy felt like a proud aunt.

She could hear the clink as shells were added to Lucy’s bag, Dexter’s murmured suggestions so they only picked up the ones on the edges of the pools that no longer housed any creatures. But the rock pools held so much live interest, and she could see that, when Imogen finally declared that they had had enough and it was time for home, Lucy was almost vibrating with all her new discoveries.

‘Are you settling here OK?’ Imogen asked, once they had retraced their steps through the rock pools and the tunnel and were heading towards the village.

‘Better than I expected,’ Daisy said. ‘I’ve got some work to do, and now a ball to plan, unfortunately.’ She smiled to show them she was joking. ‘Avery said you were on both teams?’

‘Teams?’ Dexter asked, as he clicked his fingers and Artichoke padded across the sand to him. ‘Do you mean for the treasure hunt?’

Imogen laughed. ‘I told you about this. The village is being split in two. Everyone who supports Daisy’s grand Christmas ball, and everyone who prefers the treasure hunt idea. It’s like two different tribes.’

‘We can go to both though, right?’ Lucy said, a line appearing between her eyebrows.

‘We can, and we will.’ Imogen ran a hand over Lucy’s hair, which had become tangled in the wind. ‘I think this is Frank and Valerie’s doing.’

‘Honestly, those two,’ Dexter grumbled. ‘They cause mayhem wherever they go. They’ve set you up against each other?’

Daisy’s stomach tightened as she thought of Avery, sitting on the sofa in the manor living room, his grey eyes fixed on hers. ‘A little competition never hurt anyone,’ she said. ‘And if it means we get teams of helpers then I’m all for it. I used to host Christmas dinner parties, but a ball is a whole other level. I have no idea why I thought I could do it.’

‘Of course you can do it.’ Imogen squeezed her arm. ‘We’ll be on your team of helpers. Right, Lucy?’

‘Do you like making paper chains?’ Daisy asked, because she was planning a lot of upmarket glam at her ball, but she couldn’t leave out the decorations that were the most fun to make.

‘Yes! But they have to be sparkly,’ Lucy said seriously.

‘Of course. That’s non-negotiable. And I’m thinking of having a glitter ball. A seriously festive playlist. Some swooping classical music in between festive hits. What else do they have at balls?’

‘Announcements,’ Lucy said. ‘Everyone gets announced into the room. And you could have a bubble machine. And a snowflake machine because it’s Christmas.’

‘Bubbles and snowflakes?’ Daisy wondered if it would be possible to get a bubble machine and a snowflake machine, and whether it was too risky to have soapy bubbles drifting over plates of festive food. ‘Let’s talk to the team about it. I will convene a committee meeting at the manor. You’re all invited. Dexter, fancy helping with some luxury finger food?’

‘Of course. Mini pizzas and sausage rolls? Sliders? That sort of thing?’

‘My mouth is watering. Right.’ Daisy stopped and took out her phone, typing a note so she didn’t forget anything. She felt better, with other people chipping in and agreeing to help. It wouldn’t just be her, Sophie and Harry. Even if they assisted Avery too, she would have their support.

‘Daisy!’ Dexter shouted her name. She looked up from her phone and immediately dropped it. Racing across the sand towards her was a huge black dog, tongue out, strides eating up the distance. The book the book the book, her brain screamed, and she turned away, shielding her face with her hands as if that would save her. She might have squealed. She squeezed her eyes shut and waited for the impact, waited and waited and then … nothing.

‘OK, Daisy?’ Dexter sounded amused.

She opened her eyes. He was holding Darkness by the collar, the good-natured dog looking up at her expectantly.

‘He was going to jump up,’ Dexter said. ‘I didn’t think you’d want damp, sandy paws all over you.’

‘No. Right. Thank you.’ Lucy was staring at her wide eyed, and Imogen was biting her lip as if she was trying not to laugh. ‘God.’ Daisy let out her own shaky laugh. ‘I didn’t …’

‘I shouldn’t have startled you,’ Dexter said kindly, as Daisy dug in her pocket for her remaining dog treats.

‘No, it’s OK. It’s just … someone gave me this book. I don’t know who, or why. The Secret Bookshop or something. I started reading it – I already knew some of the plot, but I’d never actually read it before – and it’s about a hell hound. It’s a detective story, a Sherlock Holmes mystery, but it’s so unnerving.’ Dexter and Imogen exchanged a look. ‘What is it? There aren’t hell hounds in Mistingham, are there?’ It was a joke, obviously. Mostly.