Evie grinned. ‘Lottie Allbright, Fernfield’s resident grape expert: who’d have thought it?’

‘I thought you were listening to my complicated story?’

‘Sorry. Go on.’

And while she nibbled on her superfood, I told her about Betsy’s dilemma: her worsening macular problem and reliance on others to see and read her post for her, as well as to drive her around.

‘There are so many things she struggles with now,’ I said. ‘Eventually she won’t be able to cope with simple things like the central-heating controller or the display on the washing machine.’

‘Poor thing.’ Evie frowned. ‘And managing this place on top of losing her husband.’

‘She promised to see the next harvest through, but after that I think she’ll be ready to move on.’

‘You can’t blame her. She shouldn’t be running a business at her age if she doesn’t want to.’

I puffed out my cheeks. ‘I wish there was a way I could afford to buy the vineyard, but I don’t think I’d even get a mortgage on a house, let alone a business.’

Evie bit her lip. ‘I could lend you some money, but I imagine it would be a drop in the ocean; the property must be worth a bomb, and then the vineyard on top.’

‘Aw, that is so sweet of you,’ I said, pressing a hand to my chest. ‘But I couldn’t accept your money. Betsy was hoping that Jensen would take an interest in the wine business. If he moved back here, she could hand over the reins and stay in her own home. That would be the perfect solution.’

She cocked an eyebrow. ‘For Betsy or you?’

‘I can’t lie,’ I said, feeling a flash of heat rise to my face. ‘I really like him.’

She folded her banana skin up and laid it tidily on the coffee table. ‘And what are you going to do about it?’

‘Me?’ I blinked at her. ‘I wasn’t planning on doing anything.’

‘I see.’ Evie stretched her legs out and put her feet up on my lap. ‘Waiting for him to take the lead and decide where, when or even if you see him?’

She looked at me pointedly. This was where I’d gone wrong with Harvey, I realized: following blithely, going along with his plans in lieu of making my own.

‘You’re right,’ I said firmly. ‘I need to be more proactive. Not just for myself; I’ve got the baby to think of now too.’

Evie’s mouth twisted into a grin. ‘Now you’re talking. So, I repeat, what are you going to do about it?’