‘I’m very sorry to hear it. I can’t imagine – I daren’t imagine – what it would be like to lose complete touch with Connor, or be stopped from seeing him. Do you think there’s any chance Hannah might come to your birthday? After all, it is a special occasion.’ He smiled. ‘It’ll be my turn soon enough and I reckon you’re only forty once so enjoy it.’

‘I doubt it,’ Chloe muttered and knocked back the rest of her whisky. It burned her throat and she coughed.

‘You never know. It might be just the excuse she needs to get in touch.’ Drew held up the bottle. ‘Top-up?’

‘I didn’t realise I’d drunk the last glass so fast.’

‘Nor me.’

The empty glass in her hand surprised her. Maybe a drink in the pub and a whisky weren’t the best ways of rehydrating after a Zumba class. She’d had no dinner either. If she stayed for another, she might end up answering more awkward questions. Drew must already be wondering that she was a very young granny, but be too polite to say so.

‘I should be going.’ She stood up and felt decidedly wobbly. It really was time to go. ‘Thanks for listening.’

Drew got to his feet. ‘You too. I don’t often talk about Connor. Or my love life.’

He hadn’t really talked about his love life at all. Neither of them had. They’d talked about relationships and family but not love in the romantic sense. Which was both a relief and a shame, because even though she’d been scarred by her experience with Fraser, it hadn’t totally put her off men. Gabe was gorgeous but out of bounds. Drew had a girlfriend and an ex-wife. If she’d moved here for a simple life, she would be disappointed. Porthmellow was just as complicated as Surrey, only with big waves.

‘You can talk to me about this – or anything – any time. Just call me Uncle Drew, the agony uncle.’

‘You don’t really want to hear all my woes.’

‘I hear everyone’s woes on the Marisco. When these city types are hauled out of their cocooned worlds, and suddenly all their tech and strategies aren’t worth a flying fart, excuse me. It’s them and the elements and you see them in the raw. It makes my day.’

‘I bet.’ Chloe laughed. How had she known Drew for the best part of nine months and not seen what a great guy he was? A little rough around the edges, but that was part of the attraction.

Drew softened his tone. ‘Most of them have far less to worry about than you do. Pick up the phone or call round whenever you want.’

‘Thanks. Bye.’