I plucked a red grape off the nearest vine, popped it into my mouth and chewed thoughtfully. The taste was sharp but definitely sweeter than it had been only a week ago. ‘Okay, I’ll go and look at the long-range weather forecast and if it looks dry enough, how about we plan to start picking from next Monday at noon?’

‘The first of October,’ Godfrey nodded. ‘Sounds like the perfect day to me.’

My heart sank. It was the day of my scan, which was okay because the appointment was early morning, I could be there and back before harvest got underway. But it was also the day Jensen was due to start his new job. For all I knew, he might have already arrived in Cape Town to sort out accommodation and get organized for his new life. Which was what I’d wanted him to do, but I’d thought then that we’d have a chance at a long-distance relationship. Now all I had from him was distance.

Was it really only a week since we’d had such fun over lunch together, him slipping a ring on to my finger and the other diners smiling and wishing us well? And then later on, that perfect night spent in his arms …

Pippa clapped her hands, bringing me crashing back to earth. ‘How exciting! I can’t wait! Harvest time is better than sex. Actually, no it’s not. Oh, that reminds me—’ She stopped mid-sentence and blushed. We all waited.

‘Reminds you what?’ said Roger bluntly.

She shook her head timidly. ‘Nothing.’

‘I’m excited too, Pippa,’ said Godfrey fondly.

‘Moving on …’ Roger tutted impatiently and then rubbed his hands together. ‘Reinforcements. That’s the key to smooth operations. We’ll need to rally the troops asap.’

‘Righto.’ Godfrey slurped the last of his tea. ‘I’ll email round the regulars, Matt can put up a poster in the pub and I’ll post a notice on the village website.’

‘Brilliant. Thanks, everyone,’ I said, mustering a smile as I collected in the mugs and picked up the tray. ‘I think I’ll go and run our plan by Sidney and see what he makes of our latest readings.’

They breathed a collective sigh of relief, glad to be let off the hook as far as the final decision was concerned. I started back towards the winery and Pippa caught me up, insisting on taking the tray out of my hands.

‘I think Clare’s son Ben might be interested in helping with the harvest,’ she said coyly. ‘And he’s very strong.’

‘Is he still on leave?’

She twirled a lock of hair around her fingers and nodded. ‘For another week.’

‘Great, the more the merrier; I’ll mention it to Clare.’

She giggled. ‘It’s okay, I’m seeing him tonight; I’ll ask him.’

‘Fabulous.’ I grinned at her, suddenly understanding her ‘harvest is better than sex’ comment. ‘Good for you, Pippa. It’s lovely to see you so happy.’

‘It’s all down to you.’ She smiled shyly. ‘Your attitude has inspired me.’