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The sea glittered in the sunshine as light winds stirred the yachts at their winter moorings. Julia leaned against the doorframe of her harbour shop and nursed a steaming mug of coffee.

It was a relief to be outside in the crisp, frosty air. The little shop and workroom were always stuffy with the heater on. Her morning had been slow, with just a few early customers so far.

Julia took a deep breath and smiled. She would never tire of this view. You could see right out to the snowy peaks on the mainland today.

Childhood holidays had first brought Julia to the islands off the west coast. She and Martin had continued the tradition when their own boys were young. Freedom to roam was something they had all come to value when they escaped the busy suburbs where they lived.

Jack, her eldest, had moved to Australia now and her younger son, James, was busy globe-trotting in a bid to find himself. After her divorce, there had been little left to tie Julia to their old home in the capital.

Her eye had been caught by an online article on following your dreams as an antidote to stress. It was never too late to change direction, the writer claimed. That thought inspired Julia to move her small soap business out here to the island.

In spite of the risks, it had been a success. Julia had refreshed her packaging and marketed the soap with local ingredients, like heather and oatmeal. Visitors enjoyed watching her at work and there had been a steady stream of tourists keen to take home presents that were made on the island itself. Julia had been rushed off her feet all summer and Christmas had brought a fresh flurry of business. Things had only recently begun to calm down.

Julia put her coffee mug down on the doorstep and flipped the sign to Closed. This was definitely a good moment to pop next door to the grocery store for an emergency chocolate bar. She was bound to make it back before the next customer arrived.

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