‘Steady on, love, it’s early days …’ Larry popped his head round the door. ‘You and our Ruth will have them married off within the week at this rate.’ And he winked at Grace, making her blush. ‘It’s not like it was back in our day, dear … let them settle into each other first.’

‘Oh, I know you are right,’ Betty rubbed her husband’s arm before giving him a kiss on the cheek. ‘But it is very exciting. I said to Ruth on the phone that Italy was just the thing for the youngsters to have a nice time togeth—’

‘Come on, now, anyone would think you and Ruth had planned the whole thing … you’re like a pair of silly old romantics,’ Larry laughed before going off to greet someone who had arrived in the reception area. Grace, on spotting a coy smile on Betty’s face as she bustled off into the little kitchenette area, was very happy if she had indeed ‘planned the whole thing’.

‘Less of the old, thank you!’ Betty called out over her shoulder, pretending to chastise Larry, and Grace grinned; she wished she was still in Italy with Ellis, but being here at work wasn’t so bad … Larry and Betty were kind and loving and it made Grace feel content and at home.

‘Let’s get those gorgeous flowers in some water,’ Betty said, opening a cupboard presumably to look for a vase. Grace went to help Betty as she was groaning now as she tried to bend into the cupboard under the sink to reach the vase.

‘Someone here to see you, Grace.’ Larry reappeared, gesturing to the customer waiting area. ‘I’ve asked him to take a seat.’

‘Him?’ Grace said, handing the vase to Betty and wondering who it could be. Jamie was at work – she knew that for sure as she had spoken to him earlier. Not Phil, surely? Although she wouldn’t put it past him to turn up here expecting another hand-out for the spa trip that never was.

‘Yes, an older gentleman,’ Larry said, discreetly lowering his voice, as Grace walked past him. ‘Very dapper, too. Want me to come with you and see what he wants?’ And without waiting for an answer, Larry followed her out to see who it was.

‘Mr Conway!’ Grace stepped forward to shake his hand. ‘What are you doing here?’ she added, surprised to see him. ‘How are you?’ Then, remembering her manners, Grace introduced him to Larry. ‘This is the gentleman who now lives in Connie’s flat in Blackheath.’