What next? The Parish Meeting this evening, of course, and tomorrow racing around the three holiday homes to change the beds and clean before the new guests arrived after 3 p.m., then she might take Dilys and Ernie to the supermarket, as it seemed to have become part of their weekend routine. On Sunday she could take a walk along the cliffs or call in at the B&B for lunch.

But her mind kept flying back to Aaron’s kisses amongst the soft pastel colours of the knot garden he’d created. Her heart flipped at the overheated memory of shivering with desire. But her brain glared at her heart. ‘Seriously? Only months ago it was all cancelled wedding plans and pity party yet now you’re feeling like this? And you have no idea how he’s feeling, what he thinks, what he wants. You’re reading waaaaaay too much into a kiss or two. He’s just out of a relationship himself and probably enjoying being free to kiss whoever he wants.’

One last bend, then they were on the approach to the Roundhouse. Clancy slowed the car and pulled up outside the garden gate. Then she caught sight of a tall man with dark tousled hair sitting on the step, his back against the front door, and her heart took zero notice of her brain and leapt so hard into her throat that it almost stopped her breathing.

Switching off the ignition, she took a steadying breath. Harry cried, ‘There’s Aaron. C’mon Rory.’ By the time Clancy had opened her door and hopped out onto the dusty lane, Harry was already talking earnestly to Aaron, Rory’s gaze on Harry’s face, both boys sporting their backpacks on one shoulder.

‘Maybe it would be good if you’d come with me after all,’ Harry was saying as Clancy hovered. ‘Dad thinks I’m eight, not eighteen and will start spouting all his usual bollocks. Let’s go and get it over with.’ He turned to Clancy. ‘Thanks loads, Clancy. You’ve been amazing.’ He gave her a big hug.

The warmth behind the gesture easily compensated for the aroma of hungover teenager. Gladly, she hugged him back. ‘I hope everything works out for you.’ As they disengaged she glanced at Aaron. His gaze was on her. It seemed to ask a question but she couldn’t read what it was.

Then Rory gave her a hug too, quicker and more diffident than Harry’s, obliging Clancy to look away. When she looked back, Aaron’s attention was on Harry again.

Before he went off with Harry and Rory, though, he gave Clancy one last quick smile. ‘So I’ll see you at the Parish Meeting tonight?’

‘I’ll be there,’ she agreed. She watched the three stride towards Droody Road, Harry jabbering away to Aaron, Rory watching and listening, as usual. Just before the curve in the lane took them out of sight, Aaron glanced over his shoulder. He was too far away for her to read his expression but she flushed to have been caught watching him.