The moon cast a spotlight over the grand manor house. Crunching gazed up at the place she had once called home as memories snowballed towards her.
Lights twinkled in the windows, berries and leaves rambled around a set of tall oak doors, and a narrow stream glistened down towards the adjoining wood.
"Hey, no trespassing!"
Donna's head spun towards the thicket of sugar sprinkled pines and firs. Pacing towards her, with his trademark lumber jacket, was old school friend, Jack.
A silky black and white collie dog circled his ankles before bounding towards Donna.
"Jack?" Donna ran towards him, arms outstretched, her boots sinking deeper into snow. It must be nearly fifteen years since they'd last seen each other.
Jack wrapped Donna in a bear hug, his familiar scent as comforting as marshmallows toasting over a camp fire.
As they split apart, Donna realised it was the first time they'd ever embraced.
Donna's cheeks spotted pink as her gaze took in his larger frame, the stubble on his firmer jawline, the smiling splinters of facial lines giving away a lifetime spent outdoors.
Jack was a man now. Not the gangly teenager with whom she had spent her youth in these woods; climbing trees, learning forest crafts, drinking tea brewed over a tiny campfire beneath the stars.
"Lady Frances wasn't sure you'd make it back for the Winter Ball." Jack's gaze rested on Donna's and she recognised the twinkle in his eyes. Despite the past, he was glad she was here.
Donna smiled.
"You'll be attending too, I hope?"
"Do they let the likes of me in?"
Jack had grown up in a small cottage on the other side of the woods; his parents had looked after the land. and smallholding for Donna's family for decades.
After his parents retired it seemed a natural move for Jack to take over the reins as estate manager looking after the grand manor house grounds.
Denne historien er fra January 31, 2023-utgaven av My Weekly.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra January 31, 2023-utgaven av My Weekly.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
I Can't Wait To Play The Queen Mum
Gracing screens, treading boards, royal roles much-loved actress Dame Penelope Wilton has done it all!
TAKING CANCER TO THE CATWALK X
Teacher Mary Jones reflects on the extraordinary way her breast cancer diagnosis challenged her view on womanhood and ultimately led her to a London catwalk
Fighting For All Women
Diagnosed with breast cancer aged 36, Jessica Parsons is raising awareness of the disease in younger women
The Fall Guy
Surely Caitlin’s boyfriend had nothing to do with all the drama going on at the jeweller’s...
The Widow At Number Ten
There were many secrets to unpack in this old house
Old Habits Die Hard
Even for our lively suburb, gunshots were pretty unusual and was curious to find out what was going on
A Wedding To Remember
Surely nothing would spoil this special day.
Distinctly Feline Flavour
Desperation forces Chris to add something unusual to his cup of tea!
The Old Burgundy Book
Within its ageing pages Rosie found a story of fading romance and a fresh chance for love to bloom...
The Haunted Ballroom
Mysteries swirled around this magical place...