‘I knew she was talking rubbish,’ Helena went on before Gilly had worked out what to say. ‘She’s more worried about you and Leo.’ Helena took a breath. ‘She’s worried that because I don’t like him you feel you can’t go out with him. She says he’s your last chance of happiness and I mustn’t blight the relationship.’

‘Cressida is talking out of the back of her neck,’ said Gilly firmly. ‘She’s convinced there’s something going on between me and Leo, but there isn’t.’

‘Oh. Well, that’s a relief! I would have done my absolute best to live with it if you and he really were in love, but I’m very glad I don’t have to.’

‘You don’t have to,’ said Gilly firmly.

‘But Cressida says Leo might be your last chance of happiness.’

Helena obviously needed more convincing. ‘Darling, if I feel lonely, I’ll just go on Kinder and find a new man. Or is Kinder what I read books on?’ Gilly was slightly worried that she may have overdone the dotty-old-lady act.

But as this sent Helena into further fits of giggles she knew it was all right. ‘Don’t worry, Mum, I’d never let you go on Tinder, you’d never know if you had to swipe left or right.’

But after Helena had gone Gilly found herself wondering how she’d feel if Helena didn’t like William. Would it be as easy for her to think she’d have to give him up because of her daughter? No, she decided, it wouldn’t be easy at all. And she might not even try.

Chapter Twenty-two

Gilly had been making beds, baking shortbread, picking posies and organising laundry for what seemed like every hour of every day since Helena’s show. And while she liked to be busy she was tired. Also, although she was physically occupied from dawn to well past dusk her brain was free to worry about William.

When she’d first met Leo she’d been a bit swept off her feet. He was so stylish and charming, had treated her like a queen, and taken her to lovely places. But when she started to get to know William better she’d realised how much nicer, kinder and, now she came to think about it, more attractive than Leo he was. William was the quiet horse that came up on the outside without being noticed until he was at the finish line. But was he still interested in winning this particular race? How would she ever find out?