‘Oh, love, you have been in the wars.’ Clare flapped at the two men to let go of me and wrapped me up in her arms. I felt myself relax against her. Jensen had looked after me well, but I was missing my mum and my sister so much and Clare’s warm embrace was the next best thing.

‘I feel like I’ve done five rounds with Muhammad Ali. This bit in particular stings like a bee,’ I said, prodding my forehead.

‘Matt had to go to work but he sends his love,’ said Pippa, rubbing my arm. Her freckles had come out in force today and her nose looked a bit pink too. She looked fresh and young and carefree, in stark contrast to how I felt right now.

‘I’m sorry to ruin the end of a good party and I’m sorry I wasn’t here to clear up.’ I managed a smile and looked around me. The visitors were long gone, the yard was empty except for our own cars, everywhere had been tidied up and only the bunting, flapping in the strong evening breeze, gave any indication that there had been a major event here today. Heavy clouds were beginning to gather and the temperature seemed to have dropped too.

‘Don’t be daft,’ Clare said gently.

‘You’re all so kind.’ I swallowed the lump in my throat. I was exhausted, mentally and physically; one sign of kindness and I was in danger of dissolving like a sugar lump.

‘Let’s get you sitting down,’ said Jensen, touching my shoulder. ‘Would you mind coming over to the house? I’m sure Gran and Marjorie would like to know you’re all right.’

My stomach flipped; what would Betsy say when she found out I was pregnant? The phrase ‘you’re fired’ sprang to mind. Who wants a pregnant woman in charge of a vineyard? I released Clare reluctantly and fell into step with Jensen as he walked across the yard.

Betsy and Marjorie were sitting on a bench on the terrace looking out across the vines and didn’t see us approach. Starsky spotted us; he didn’t move, but his tail thumped happily on the flagstones. The sky was more dramatic from here without any buildings blocking the view and far away in the distance I caught a flash of lightning.

‘Did you see that?’ I pointed it out to Jensen. ‘I hope the grapes will be okay if the storm reaches us.’

‘Godfrey checked the weather earlier; we’re in for some rain, but the hail and worst of the storm is expected further south so it should miss us.’

‘Let’s hope so.’ I wasn’t convinced; the sky looked full of mischief to me.