Lee’s voice emerged from the dusk. ‘Anyone for another beer?’

Clancy jumped. She’d considered him lost in his own thoughts. ‘I haven’t drunk this one yet,’ she said, surprised Lee had apparently drunk two beers in the short time she and Aaron had been internet browsing. Although she’d never got to know him very well, he’d never struck her as someone who drank much. But then, she’d never considered the easy-going, slightly reserved man she’d known when he was Alice’s partner likely to be beset with depression, either.

Aaron gave her thigh a parting squeeze before he moved his hand and turned his attention to his brother. ‘Maybe we should make some pasta or something to soak it up. We’ve all got to be up for work tomorrow and you’ll need to be up to get Daisy’s breakfast.’

‘All right.’ With a shrug, Lee let himself be shepherded into the kitchen and together the three of them made pasta with a jar of sauce and whatever vegetables they found in Aaron’s fridge.

When they sat down to eat, Lee took yet another beer – the fifth Clancy had seen him with, let alone whatever he’d drunk before her arrival. Aaron didn’t say anything, but Clancy noted his quick frown.

Lee ate morosely, gazing at a spot in the middle of the kitchen table as if it held the secrets of the universe. Aaron and Clancy talked over what the evening’s research had shown them, trying and failing to draw Lee into the conversation. He’d shrug or give yes/no answers but then return to staring at the table top.

When he took a loo break, Aaron put down his fork in favour of lifting Clancy’s hand from the table and kissing it. ‘I’m going to see if I can get him to go home before he drinks any more, which I think will mean me walking along with him. Do you mind?’

‘Of course not,’ she replied, though conscious of the sinking knowledge that she did mind a bit. ‘I gate-crashed your evening.’

He carried on as if she still needed to be persuaded. ‘I think Alice being in the village has knocked him for six.’

She sighed unhappily. ‘Much as I love her, her appearance has definitely caused issues.’

When Lee returned, Clancy was already on her feet. ‘Got to go,’ she announced. ‘Loads to do.’

Lee managed a smile as he wished her goodnight. He remained in the kitchen as Aaron saw Clancy out, Nelson padding at their heels as if checking they weren’t going anywhere good without him.

Once they were out in the darkness of the patio, Aaron drew her into his arms. ‘Thanks for understanding. It’s just that he’s so …’

‘Sad,’ she finished for him.

He stroked her hair and caressed the back of her neck. ‘I was going to say as down as when Alice first left, but, yes, sad.’ Then he lowered his head to trail kisses along the side of her neck and she closed her eyes to enjoy it.