Twinkling lights appeared in the basin of a distant valley. Bright and welcoming, they promised comfort and warmth. Still some distance away, the house appeared and disappeared as the truck picked its way around the mountain. On the final approach, they passed through magnificent wrought iron gates. Gravel scrunched beneath the truck tyres as the enormous floodlit house swung into view. Logan swept the truck around a circular driveway and slewed to a halt in front of sweeping steps crowned by carved, wooden doors.
“Breathe, Hana, breathe,” she implored herself as Logan slammed the driver’s door. “You can do this, you’re not too old for him, you’re not.” She squeezed a finger and thumb either side of the bridge of her nose. “You are, you are.”
Hana scrabbled at the internal handle as Loga
