‘Marjorie and I have decided to buy a bungalow together,’ she said.

‘Oh, that’s wonderful!’ I said, meaning it. ‘What a great idea.’

They made a great team, they clearly adored each other; together they’d be happy and safe and really that’s what we all longed for in our old age, wasn’t it? Health, happiness and a good laugh every day.

‘It’s a new development for the over fifty-fives,’ said Marjorie. ‘All mod cons and a live-in warden, so if Betsy overdoes the sherry, help will be at hand.’

‘It wasn’t me who shot herself in the eye with a cork last night.’

I jumped in quickly to ask for more details before they began quibbling in earnest and found out that the cul-de-sac of twenty properties was still a building site but the first ones should be habitable by January. And the beauty of it was that it was only a couple of miles away from the vineyard. It sounded perfect and I was thrilled for them.

‘See, I knew she’d be happy for us,’ said Marjorie.

‘She’s just being kind, Mar, that’s all.’

I didn’t pick up on the inference straight away, not thinking through what this would mean for me.

‘You’ll finally get that new kitchen you’ve always wanted,’ I said, remembering the conversation we’d had on the day I’d moved in, just before Jensen had arrived and spun her around in the air. He’d put me in a spin that day, too; in fact, I was still spinning. I glanced at my watch again. Surely he’d be out of his meeting soon?

‘So in answer to your question, Lottie, I’m sorry, but unless Jensen should have a change of heart and decide to move back to Fernfield and take over, the vineyard will go up for sale after this year’s harvest.’

I nodded, letting the news sink in. It was the right thing to do, the only logical thing to do for Betsy. She deserved to enjoy the rest of her life without having the demands of Butterworth Wines hanging around her neck. As her sight failed, she’d need life to become as straight forward as possible. I understood that. And as for Jensen having a change of heart; I’d seen the way his face came alive when he talked about his work. He wasn’t ready to settle for the good life in the country yet.

From the depths of my disappointment I managed to smile as I spoke. ‘I’m very happy for you both and I’ll support you whatever you decide to do.’

My phone beeped suddenly and Jensen’s name flashed across the screen. I said goodbye to the ladies and opened his message:

Meet me outside Leicester Square tube station in fifteen minutes. J xx

With a nervous flutter in my stomach, I gathered my things and left the café. Had he been offered the job? And where would that leave Butterworth Wines, and me? And what about him and me? The quicker I found out the better …