Clancy could only agree. They collapsed onto his big sofa – Clancy accepted a glass of wine this time, feeling she needed its bolstering qualities – while she stroked Nelson’s head and recounted the recent arrival at the Roundhouse, describing the motorhome in the lane outside and Alice’s extreme change of image. ‘Though she’s exactly the same insouciant Alice underneath,’ she concluded drily. Then she found herself hesitating. When Alice had asked about Lee and complained about Hugo, she wouldn’t have expected Clancy to race off and pass it all on to Aaron. Yet Clancy had just taken umbrage that Aaron might think she wouldn’t share with him what she knew … The spectre of torn loyalties loomed with all the appeal of a rainy Monday.

‘I’m beginning to wish Lee had stayed in Northamptonshire. They’re bound to meet up, otherwise,’ Aaron sighed. ‘I’d better talk to Lee. And the rest of the family. For fuck’s sake!’ he exploded, slapping his hand to his forehead. ‘Why did she need to show up now?’

Clancy prickled to hear the exasperation in his voice. ‘Because she’s half-owner of the house and has every right to?’ she suggested.

He tilted her chin up to brush a kiss on her lips. ‘I shouldn’t have said that. She’s your cousin and you were probably glad to see her.’

‘I was,’ she conceded. Then she was compelled by honesty to add, ‘Though we’ve both changed so much … But don’t think this only affects your family. I didn’t warm to her husband much and now I’m sharing a house with him.’

‘Yeah,’ he said absently, resting his cheek on her hair. ‘Awkward.’

They sat in silence for several minutes.

Then Aaron put his wine glass down on the coffee table. ‘I’m going to have to tell Lee and my mum and dad.’

Clancy nodded glumly. ‘Suppose.’ Warn them, she knew he meant.

‘That’s if Dilys hasn’t seen Alice and her motorhome and already been on the phone to Aunt Norma,’ he added with a sigh.

She was able to fill in that blank. ‘Dilys and Ernie were invited to a Golden Wedding do in someone’s house along Marshview Road this evening.’

‘Well that’s something at least.’ He sighed again. ‘I told my family we’re seeing each other, by the way. I hope that was OK? I didn’t want them to think I was sneaking around.’

She turned to look at him, trying to read the steady dark gaze. ‘I suppose … well, yes, I guess they had to know.’ His words gave her an uncomfortable feeling, as if seeing her was something he’d had to confess to, but she could see that he was in a situation. One that he’d have to manage. Just because she wasn’t rich with rellies herself didn’t mean his large family shouldn’t be considered. ‘How did that go?’

‘As well as it could,’ he returned enigmatically. ‘But I think I’d better talk to them about Alice on my own.’

She needed no persuading on that score. His family would be forgiven for taking sides and assuming Clancy would be on Alice’s. Which she was, of course. The whole scenario was uncomfortable.