‘I’ll need a recipe for crumble, your cheese scones, soup – all the lovely comforting things that you make.’

‘Those are the things that I don’t really have recipes for, but I’ll do my best. I’ve never seen you like this, Helly.’

‘I know. I’ve never been like this before. Being in love is just so blissful, isn’t it?’

Gilly sighed. ‘Yes, it is. The trouble is, you can’t just decide to feel like that. Some people seem able to fall in love all the time. I’m not like that.’ She realised she had never loved Leo, she had just been flattered by his attention and had enjoyed all her friends envying her.

‘I don’t think I am either,’ said Helena, ‘or it would have happened before now.’

Gilly nodded.

‘And are you in love now, Mum?’ asked Helena.

Gilly nodded again. ‘Yes, I think I am.’

Helena came round the table and hugged her mother. ‘Long may it last,’ she said.

‘Indeed!’ said Gilly, wondering if she would ever stop worrying about her children. She couldn’t bear to see Helena’s heart broken now.

‘Thank goodness you’re back!’ said Helena when Jago came into the house later that evening, ridiculously pleased to see him again.

‘Why? What’s wrong?’ He looked worried.

She laughed. ‘Nothing really. Supper’s ready when you are.’

She had come home from her mother’s laden with supplies including a stew from Gilly’s freezer (currently bubbling away), a box of broken shortbread, some frozen rhubarb (not turned into a crumble), recipes and a big bundle of herbs from the garden.

When she’d done most of her paperwork required to follow up after World of Wool, emailed several people about workshops, tidied the house and put some tools in a more sensible place, she set about finding somewhere nice for the ‘double date’ that was in prospect.

She had found a lovely wine bar, not too far away, with good reviews and parking, then ran it past Amy. This instigated a phone call that went on for some time but at least they had agreed a couple of possible dates and when they finally disconnected Helena felt she could text James with the dates and venue details. And all the time she worked she thought about Jago.

Now, he kissed her fondly and lingeringly. ‘I’ll just grab a quick shower first, then I’ll be down.’

The following Sunday evening they were in Helena’s car. Jago was driving. They’d tossed for it.

‘I’m quite nervous!’ said Helena as she fiddled with Google Maps on her phone although they knew the way.

Jago glanced at her. ‘Why?’

‘Because James may not like me!’

‘I like you. Isn’t that enough?’