‘Your boyfriend was a bit of a rotter, as I recall.’ Betsy grasped my hand between hers. ‘Well, listen, whatever you decide to do, whatever you need, we’ll be here for you. Won’t we, Mar?’

Marjorie confirmed it and even offered to run me to appointments if I needed her to. Their kindness melted my heart and I leaned my head against Betsy’s shoulder. ‘Thank you both.’

‘So now we’ll need to have a rethink.’ Jensen ran a hand through his hair. ‘The vineyard, the very manual job Lottie does … She can’t continue as she is. No offence.’

Nothing is guaranteed to offend me more than adding that particular phrase to an unsolicited opinion. I sat up straight and gave him my sternest stare. ‘Despite you announcing that you were a second doctor in that cubicle today, you don’t know what you’re talking about.’

He blinked at me, startled. ‘Excuse me?’

‘Providing Betsy is happy for me to carry on working here, that’s what I intend to do.’

‘Course she is,’ Marjorie answered for her.

‘But what if you had another accident?’ Jensen frowned. ‘I’d never forgive myself.’

‘But I’m not your responsibility, so no forgiveness needed. I’m young, fit and strong,’ I replied, laying a hand on my stomach, ‘and quite capable of delegating when necessary. Besides, Betsy offered me this job for only six months, so I’ll be out of your hair by the time the baby arrives.’

Jensen gritted his teeth. ‘You’re twisting my words.’

‘Are you suggesting Lottie leaves us, dear boy?’ Betsy looked appalled.

He knocked his brandy back. ‘Gran, we agreed that you’d stay here for the time being on the basis that Lottie would keep an eye on you and help you out. Not only in the vineyard, but in the house as well. Lottie, you might not be my responsibility, but Gran is.’

‘Good grief, boy.’ She stared down her nose at him. ‘She’s only having a baby. If Emmeline Pankhurst could give birth to five children while leading the fight for the emancipation of women, I’m sure Lottie can look after a few grapes and one old lady.’

Marjorie sniggered and topped up her and Betsy’s glasses. ‘To women’s rights!’ She raised her glass. ‘Cheers!’

Jensen groaned and dropped his head into his hands. ‘I’ll go and make that tea.’

I watched him stride away into the kitchen. Oh dear, I had a feeling that offer to take me to dinner had been well and truly rescinded.

Chapter 18

‘Experiment, taste, make plenty of notes and then taste again,’ said Sidney, burying his nose deep into a glass and inhaling. ‘That’s the way to make the best blend.’