Bryony’s colour deepened. ‘I’ve told you. I hate the crowds and the music and the way it turns our lives upside down for months, but don’t try to pin that mess on me,’ she said, nodding at the van, ‘because I had nothing to do with that. Call me petty if you want but I’m not a lawbreaker.’ She turned her attention on Gabe: ‘And you should never have come back here, either, swanning into the village acting like its saviour.’

Astonished at the outburst, Sam managed to slot in a word. ‘Have you been posting comments on the festival Facebook page?’

‘Facebook? I’m not even on it. I’ve better things to do. Come on, Sacha.’ And with that, she stomped off, jerking Sacha’s lead sharply so he had to trot behind her to catch her up.

Too amazed to speak for a few seconds, Sam flopped down on the step of the van. ‘Oh God. That woman makes me want to do something I’d get arrested for. What is wrong with her?’ And why was she so angry with Gabe, Sam wondered.

Gabe crouched next to her. ‘I don’t know. Do you believe her about not trashing the van? And what’s this about online messages?’

‘Oh, we get those every so often. Messages on the Facebook page and Twitter feed … I must admit the van isn’t Bryony’s style.’

Gabe allowed himself a smile but his eyes were full of concern. ‘Even so, being trolled is no fun.’

‘Least of my worries. I don’t think Bryony posted them or damaged the van. She seemed proud enough to admit to ripping down the posters so maybe she’d have told us if she’d done the other stuff.’

‘Or perhaps she was terrified of getting into trouble with the police?’ Gabe said. ‘The posters are hardly crime of the century, even if it was a spiteful thing to do, but criminal damage is something else’.

Sam glanced up. ‘I don’t know. People do strange things when they’re desperate. I’m sorry you’ve been dragged into it. I don’t know why she had a go at you just now.’

Gabe shrugged. ‘People have a go at me all the time, and being in the public eye, let’s be honest, I ask for it, but you don’t, Sam.’

He held her eye and she shivered. She thought for a second he was going to reach for her. If he did, she might not push him away. To be held by him, even for comfort, for a moment or two, would be so tempting. His arms around her, the warmth of his skin against hers …

‘Hey, look, the tow truck’s here,’ he said. ‘Let’s get the van sorted and try and forget Bryony. She’s always angry with someone or something, even back in the day.’