‘Fingers crossed it stays that way,’ Rachel replied. ‘But stop changing the subject. Are you going to lie down or what?’

Holly shook her head, then wished she hadn’t as it gave a resounding thump. ‘I’m fine.’

‘You’re stubborn,’ Rachel chided but fell silent as the shop door opened with a tinkle of the bell.

Holly, who had her eyes on her coffee mug, caught a familiar scent in the air that made her senses tingle and, stomach fluttering not just from the hangover, she slowly raised her eyes and cursed inwardly. There, in the doorway, looking as delicious as he had last night, even dressed down in jeans and a casual shirt and, because he’d been driving, not hungover in the slightest, was Charlie.

‘Hello, you!’ Rachel said brightly. ‘What can we do for you on this fine day?’

‘Hi,’ Charlie smiled. ‘I was just wondering if you had anything I could burn to relax me? I had a bit of a night of it last night.’ He glanced at Holly, who was busying herself with removing the coffee cups.

‘So I hear,’ Rachel said wryly. She turned to Holly. ‘Why don’t you and Charlie escape into the sunshine for a bit? I’ll keep an eye on things here.’

Holly grimaced; sunlight would do nothing for her headache, but she realised she wasn’t going to get out of this one. ‘OK,’ she said ungraciously. ‘Let me just grab my sunglasses from upstairs.’

‘Here, have mine,’ Rachel rummaged in her handbag. ‘Wouldn’t want you making a break for it out of your own back door,’ she muttered.

‘Thanks, sis,’ Holly said dryly. Taking a sip of the glass of water she’d also brought down to the shop counter, she stepped out from behind it and looked up at Charlie. ‘Shall we go then?’

As she turned towards the door, she was sure she saw Rachel and Charlie exchanging a significant look, which did precisely nothing for her already embattled mood.

‘I’m surprised to see you,’ she said as they headed up the High Street and away from ComIncense. She was glad of Rachel’s oversized shades, as the sun was warm on her face and she could feel herself breaking out into a not entirely sunshine-induced sweat.

‘Well, I thought I’d better come over and clear the air, as we didn’t part on the best of terms last night.’