The Mills & Boon Sparkling Christmas Collection. Kate Hardy

I do laundry, clean, maybe help guests plan their day.’

      ‘Sounds busy.’

      She nodded in agreement. ‘In fact, I recently calculated this summer I made breakfast for 420 guests, cleaned 219 bathrooms, and did 370 laundry loads.’

      He laughed. ‘Really? That’s impressive. You do all that by yourself?’

      ‘The MacKenzies’ granddaughter used to help me out. She often stayed with them during summer and was happy to earn some pocket money.’

      ‘And the guests – what are they like?’

      ‘Usually great. About seventy per cent is repeat business. Golfers and holidaymakers mostly and of course graduation time is busy. There’s the occasional difficult customer but mostly I enjoy it, and it means I can be here for Jamie.’

      Ben could see her face soften when she mentioned her son, her devotion to him obvious. He admired her for the way she just seemed to get on with it. Running a business on her own couldn’t be easy. As they headed towards the grassy dunes Ben could see the Royal and Ancient Golf Club, a grand-looking building overlooking the first tee of the famous golf course.

      They fell into step behind Hamish who was forging ahead, straining on the lead despite Eva’s attempts to bring him to heel beside her. They were now on the main street, which Ben noted had a pleasing absence of big-name high street shops. Instead there was an eclectic mix of gift shops, galleries, and food sellers, their windows displaying ceramics, antiques, and hand-made chocolate.

      ‘I can see why so many people come to St Andrews; it certainly seems to have plenty to offer.’

      Eva seemed pleased that he liked it, her smile widening.

      ‘And there’s so much more to it. The aquarium is nearby and there’s the castle, the cathedral, and the botanic gardens are really lovely …’ Her voice trailed off. ‘Sorry, I’ve just realized I’m giving you my tourist spiel – force of habit.’

      ‘Not at all. Once I’m settled, I hope to have time to visit all those places,’ Ben replied. ‘I assume it’s much busier in summer though?’

      Eva nodded in agreement. ‘It can get really busy especially when the golf is on.’

      A cool breeze had picked up and the sky had turned grey, holding the threat of rain. They walked on in silence for a few moments, each with their own thoughts until Eva spoke.

      ‘Now the best part of my morning walk.’ She pointed to a pretty coffee shop with a striped blue and white awning hanging over the window and a sign above the door bearing the name The Coffee Hut.

      ‘The coffee’s pretty good if you’d like to join me.’ She looked at him, her voice tentative.

      ‘I think I could manage a coffee.’ Ben smiled.

      Warmth, chatter, and the scent of fresh coffee surrounded them as they entered the shop. Large squashy sofas and low wooden tables created a relaxed feel to the place. While the back wall consisted of exposed brickwork, the other walls were each painted a different colour and held various pieces of artwork. Tempting cakes and pastries were displayed on the counter and the coffee machine hissed and steamed comfortingly in the background. Small lamps and vases of flowers were dotted about and Ben immediately understood why Eva would like coming here after her walk.

      A few people were hunched over their laptops and a couple of mothers with toddlers sat chatting, while a group of students gathered round a table talked animatedly. Ben joined Hamish who seemed to know the routine and had settled under a table while Eva went to organize the coffee. Ben sat back taking in his surroundings but his eyes kept skipping over to Eva where she stood at the counter talking and laughing with the woman making the coffees.

      ‘Looks like a nice place,’ he commented as she returned with a tray to their table.

      ‘The owners – Jack and Freya – started their business around the same time as me. I suppose we’ve helped and encouraged each other along the way.’ Eva placed mugs of hot frothy coffee on their table along with a delicious-looking pastry.

      ‘That was Freya I was talking to although it’s usually Jack you’ll see running this place. Freya is an artist – these are all her paintings on the walls.’

      Ben turned his head to regard the paintings. His knowledge of art was non-existent but it was easy to see the appeal of the vibrant, colourful seascapes.

      ‘I display a few of Freya’s paintings in my rooms and likewise Freya and Jack are happy to recommend my guest house,’ Eva explained biting into her pastry with obvious relish. ‘Sorry, I haven’t eaten breakfast this morning.’

      Ben looked away, the sight of her wiping crumbs from her mouth stirring something deep within him.

      ‘So no more leaks I hope?’ she asked brightly.

      Ben lifted his cup and leaned back in his seat, attempting to get a grip of himself.

      ‘Not that I can see – it all seems to be okay now. Thanks again for helping me with that.’

      ‘It’s no problem but you really should have someone take a look at the whole system.’ Ben knew she was right of course: a house that size would need constant maintenance. He just hadn’t made up his mind if he would be the one to do it. Was there any point in staying there now?

      ‘Have you thought any more about decorating the room – how you’d like to do it? Or maybe you’re going to start with another room first?’

      ‘Er not really, no.’

      ‘I suppose it’s a bit daunting, knowing where to start. Especially when you have to make all the decisions by yourself –’ She stopped, her face flushing a little as she continued. ‘Sorry I wasn’t implying anything. I just mean I know what it’s like – having to do everything by yourself. I look back now and think I must have been mad taking it all on by myself.’

      ‘Or brave?’

      She tilted her head to the side, thinking. ‘I hadn’t thought of it like that really. Maybe a bit brave – but mostly mad I think. At first I kept thinking I needed a second opinion for everything but then I got used to it and began to trust my own judgement.’

      Despite himself, Ben was intrigued and wanted to know more. ‘You said you moved here with Jamie – do you have other family?’

      ‘My mum and sister both still live in Edinburgh, which is where I grew up. My dad died soon after I left school … That wasn’t an easy time.’

      ‘You were close to him?’

      She answered with a sad smile. ‘Shortly after that, I went to France where Paul was working – he was a ski instructor I’d met the year before on holiday. Becoming pregnant – well, it wasn’t exactly planned. We returned to Edinburgh and married and after Jamie was born we lived in the highlands.’ She paused, a shadow crossing her face. ‘One day Paul had an accident off-piste and was killed. That was when I moved here with Jamie – just the two of us.’

      ‘I can only imagine how difficult that must have been for you,’ Ben said, under no illusions that Eva Harris hadn’t had her share of dark days. He watched as she seemed to compose herself with a little shake before lifting her cup and regarding him with a curious look.

      ‘And you – do you have family in London?’ Ben was aware how friendly Eva had been towards him. If he was honest, he had felt wrong-footed by her openness at first, unsure how to handle it. But very quickly he found himself becoming comfortable with it, feeling at ease in her company. He didn’t exactly want to give his life story but thought the least he should do was be more upfront with her.

      ‘No immediate family now. I lost my father too, when I was ten. I was an only child so after that it was just my mother and me. She … she died six months ago.’

      ‘Oh, I’m so sorry.’

      Ben felt grief