“Don’t worry about that,” said Annie. “You go with Maeve and get those babies tucked up in their beds.”

“Hey! I’m no baby,” protested Lennox.

Annie bent down and helped him with the zip on his coat. “You are big and tall, Lennox, but you will always be your mummy’s baby.”

He seemed satisfied at this. “My mum calls my dad a big mummy’s boy,” he agreed.

“Well, there you are, then.” Annie laughed as Gemma grimaced.

Pam gave Annie a kiss on both cheeks and Annie thought she saw tears in her eyes.

“That was marvelous, Annie. Just marvelous!”

Emily was stood beside her mum.

“I’m glad you came,” Annie said to Emily. “It was nice to see you minus your placard.”

“Halloween is an important tradition in Willow Bay. You gave it the respect it’s due, and I can support that,” Emily said. “We’re not out to claim Saltwater Nook for the sake of having it. We just want it to be in safe hands, protected.” And then very loudly in John’s direction she added, “It’s good to know that some people respect the history of this village!”

Out of the corner of her eye, Annie saw John wince, but he said nothing.

The last people left, and Annie heaved a satisfied sigh.

“And then there were two,” said John.

Annie had that strange feeling again. The one where she was excited and uncomfortable and yet somehow at ease being alone with him; invariably he would annoy or surprise her within the next five minutes, possibly both.

“I guess I’d better get this lot cleared up and ready for the morning,” she said.

“I’ll help.”

“Thank you. You don’t have to, but thank you. You can eat leftover cold spuds and cake as payment.”

“How could any man refuse?”

They set about sweeping and cleaning down and moving the tables and chairs back to where they ought to be, chatting as they worked. Annie made them a hot chocolate each before turning off the coffee machine and cleaning it down.

“I see you’ve met Alfred.”

Annie’s guard was suddenly up.

“Yes,” she said. “He’s a good man.”

“He used to sleep in the café when the weather was bad. Mari thought I didn’t know.”

“He still does,” said Annie.

“And you don’t mind?”

“No, why should I? He’s no trouble. Scared the shit out of me when I first found him down here, but now I rather like having him here.”

“He’s too old to live the way he does. He should be living comfortably somewhere in his old age, not kipping on cold floors and in caves.”

“He’s not that old,” said Annie. “What is he? Late fifties? Early sixties?”

“Too old to be sleeping on the streets.”