David had tried so hard not to look at the past since he’d left Steph, but this appeal had unlocked the floodgates of memory, and now all the happy and poignant moments he’d suppressed were streaming out and threatening to pull him under. He tried to get up and find some distraction, but it was as if he’d been glued to the spot.

Without warning, he felt Suzi’s arms snaking round his neck. He jumped as if he’d been stung.

She let go abruptly. ‘What the hell’s the matter with you?’

‘I was just reading something private, that’s all.’

‘What kind of thing?’

‘An invitation to my niece’s wedding at the château.’

‘Which you will decline, naturally, because I can’t go with you for obvious reasons.’

‘Which I will accept, because my niece means a lot to me.’

‘I see.’

‘Yes.’ There was a long silence, which neither dared to interrupt. Finally it was David who spoke. ‘You’re a lovely woman, Suzi . . .’

‘So lovely you’re about to dump me,’ she stated brutally.

‘The thing is, we’re entirely different people who like different things. The bag is a metaphor, maybe . . .’

‘You’re not leaving me over a bloody Birkin bag! I won’t buy the sodding thing. Metaphor! Yes, that’s where we’re different, maybe. I believe in real things, not airy-fairy concepts like metaphors. Food. Pleasure. Indulging yourself a bit. You’re a dreamer, David. That’s probably why the B&B got into trouble.’

Her words cut into him like a surgeon’s knife. Maybe she was right.

‘I’m moving into the hotel for a while.’

‘Make your bloody mind up!’ she shouted. ‘Are you leaving or not?’

‘Yes, I’m leaving. Sorry.’

‘Well, good riddance! I’m going out. I don’t know where. I assume you’ll be gone when I get back.’

She stormed out and off down the street, almost tripping over one of Janine’s pack of dogs, which were coming down the pavement from the opposite direction.

‘Hi, Suze, everything all right? I mean, you look kind of upset.’

Suzi longed to tell someone her problems, but certainly not a member of the Ladies’ Luncheon Club.

‘Fine, thanks. Just a few tech issues.’

‘Oh, I do sympathize,’ Janine nodded. ‘There’s nothing like tech problems to really screw up your day. My server went down on Tuesday and . . .’ But Suzi was already disappearing in the opposite direction.

I wonder, thought Janine, if something’s really up. She tied the dogs to some convenient railings, went into the cafe opposite Suzi’s house and ordered a large café crème. Before she’d finished drinking it, David emerged carrying a suitcase.