‘Oh, I know it’s not like I’m running the country or anything,’ Holly replied, a twinkle in her eye. ‘But believe it or not, being a small business owner comes with its own stresses. Not that you’d know anything about that, of course, in your Westminster bubble for most of the week.’

‘On the contrary,’ Charlie said, taking a sip of his wine. ‘I’ve spent most of this week reading emails from business owners in Willowbury bemoaning the lack of progress on the new motorway junction.’ He smiled ruefully. ‘Your local baker, Miles Fairbrother, has a thing or two to say about the delays, as I’ve been finding out.’

‘I wouldn’t worry about him,’ Holly snorted. ‘He’s taken so many backhanders about that bloody junction over the years, he can afford to wait a bit longer. They can’t do anything while the site’s being investigated, anyway, and that’s even before the local wildlife trust have fully examined the area. There’s still the toads and bats to consider.’

‘You seem remarkably knowledgeable about it all,’ Charlie said. He glanced at the cosy sofa that was covered with a patchwork rug. ‘May I?’

‘Wait a second,’ Holly said. She had her own reasons for keeping him standing at the moment. She felt a flutter in her stomach, a prickle of indecision about what she was going to do. What if, after all, Charlie just looked blankly at her, denied ever having met her and the whole thing was just a massive embarrassment? Perhaps she should just sit down with him and forget it.

But still, this was the reason she’d been holding back from him. He’d landed on top of her in her own living room, for goodness’ sake! And the way his eyes were widening in the (admittedly dim) light had to be a sign. That walk in her parents’ garden, underneath the apple trees, where they’d come so close to a kiss, had to mean something. And the fact he’d come virtually straight from the train to her home. She needed to get over this hurdle, get over her own hang-ups about that night in London fifteen years ago and move forward. But, first of all, she had to know if he really had forgotten all about her.

‘What is it?’ Charlie said, his voice betraying a little concern. ‘Is everything OK?’

Holly smiled again, as much to reassure herself as him. ‘It’s fine, honestly. But will you trust me for a moment?’

Charlie raised an eyebrow. ‘Of course. But you’re not going to make me do any twilight rebirthing or transcendental meditation? I’ve had quite a long week!’

‘No meditation, I promise.’ Taking a deep breath, Holly prepared to level with him. She took the wine glass out of his hand. ‘Give me a minute, OK?’

‘Sure,’ Charlie said.