Jo smiled, remembering. It had been quite the fashion then to spend a few weeks earning a little money, getting free board and as much wine as you could drink, as well as meeting other young people from different nationalities. She could still recall the sunburn and horrible bites from the vine bugs, which brought pale English skin out in welts and put the kybosh on any thoughts of sneaking into anyone else’s sleeping bag – something that had happened quite a lot in those happily promiscuous days, after the pill and before Aids. Not that she’d ever confess it to her daughter. It had all been great fun and would have seriously shocked Sophie!

‘I had a fabulous time. Apart from those horrible biting bugs.’

‘Aouta. They’re vile little beasts, aren’t they? You should put green tea on them. Works like magic.’

‘I’ll bear it mind. But I think my grape-picking days are over.’

‘Not if you’re still here, they aren’t. Everyone gets involved. You should come and have a look round, especially if your friend is hoping to buying the château.’ He obviously had no idea that she might be a partner.

‘Would the duchess be all right with that?’

‘Oh, they take no interest in the wines. Why not next week?’ His smile was open and friendly. ‘My house is on the property.’ He grinned. ‘Nothing like the château, just a small cottage. I’d be delighted to show you the vines. I might even cook you dinner.’

‘Perfect.’

To Jo’s relief, he didn’t try to conceal his pleasure at her acceptance. If she was going to have dinner with a man, she didn’t want one who played games.

As they turned back towards the house she suddenly laughed.

Liam looked at her, eyebrows raised, wondering what the joke was. ‘It’s just life.’ Jo shook her head and grinned. ‘It’s so full of the unexpected.’

They walked back slowly, neither of them eager for the moment to end. ‘Come in and say hello,’ she insisted when they reached the back door.

Steph, David and Meredith were gathered round the big kitchen table, sharing a coffee. Steph and Meredith both looked delighted, but David’s smile seemed to Jo to have a curiously forced quality. Did he disapprove of her getting to know Liam?

‘Meredith’s hired Jean-Christophe to come and cook here three times a week!’ Steph told her excitedly. ‘So David and I can finally have a date night! Can’t we, David?’ she asked her husband.

David nodded, still looking strained.

Jo was just wondering what to say when the LeBruns’ boisterous red setter bounded into the room. She expected Steph to erupt in fury, but Steph was in such a good mood that she just shrugged.

Meredith stared at it hard. ‘What’s that it’s got in its mouth? Not one of my Louboutin shoes, I hope?’