‘Alice!’ Clancy breathed. ‘That’s blackmail.’ And who would have thought blackmail could leave one feeling so relieved?

The fine eyebrows that were so much like Clancy’s own shot up into Alice’s hair. ‘I prefer to use the word “negotiation”.’ Then she grinned and took one of Clancy’s hands tentatively. ‘Have I done enough for you to forgive me a bit? I do also have good news. At least, I think you’ll think it’s good news. Let me tell you and then you can decide.’

Clancy didn’t really hesitate. Although Alice had let her down, she was still her favourite cousin, and she had got rid of Hugo, ruthlessly, but efficiently. ‘Go on then. Tell me.’

When she’d listened to what Alice had to offer, Clancy thought it was fantastic news. At least for her. She wasn’t so convinced how it was going to turn out for Alice.

‘You’re absolutely sure?’ she kept asking. ‘Because it’s a big step.’

Alice’s eyes filled with tears then. ‘I’m sure,’ she said. ‘I need to leave the village again and it’s absolutely the best way to pay you back for being the best cousin in the world.’

Then Clancy’s eyes filled with tears too.

Alice left soon after that. She carted the remainder of Possession Mountain into the motorhome, though Clancy couldn’t help her because she still had two more cottages to service. Alice said she didn’t want Clancy to wave her off anyway, because it would be too sad. From the front bedroom window of number six, Clancy watched sadly as the big vehicle’s roof passed above the hedges and turned the elbow bend before sinking steadily out of sight on the steepness of Long Climb.

Wiping her eyes, she tossed the final armload of used bedding over the bannisters – just too late to warn Aaron, who was coming up.

He swore and tripped as the fabric billowed over him, banging his elbow on the handrail as he fought his way out.

Clancy tried not to laugh. ‘Oops, sorry!’ she called, as he craned around to look at her. ‘I’ve been trying to phone you but a lot’s happened this morning and I’m running miles behind.’

‘Was that Alice in the motorhome?’ he demanded, taking the remainder of the steps two at a time.

‘It was.’ Clancy met him on the landing, her heart picking up pace. She regarded him uncertainly.

But not for long. He pulled her into his arms, his lips descending firmly on hers in a kiss that both set her senses ablaze and settled her nerves as it went on and on. ‘Can we go somewhere to talk?’ he said eventually, when they came up for air.

Her heart gave a little anticipatory hop, because she was desperate to share the good news Alice had given her, but she glanced at her watch. ‘There’s still the rest of this and number five to clean and change—’

‘Sod them!’ Aaron planted his hands on his hips.

She wound her arms around his neck and kissed him again. ‘So you’re going to stay here and tell three families they have dirty sheets and their holiday homes aren’t ready?’