I swallowed the lump in my throat. ‘It certainly hasn’t been boring, that’s for sure.’

The hug went on for ages. He couldn’t take his eyes off my baby bump and I couldn’t get over how well he looked. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d seen him so relaxed and happy.

‘Hey,’ he said finally, ‘as I came down the path I could hear a young woman giving orders and motivating her team. Imagine my delight when I realized it was you. I’m very proud of you, love, very proud indeed. Seems like you’ve taken to this job like a duck to water.’

‘I do love it,’ I said, beaming. I had done well, I thought proudly; I’d taken the challenges that the vineyard had thrown at me in my stride, coped with an unexpected pregnancy and dispatched an unwelcome ex-boyfriend. Okay, so maybe my love life wasn’t smooth sailing, but at least my career seemed to have taken off at last.

‘But when did you get here? And how?’ I was bewildered; I’d only spoken to him a couple of days ago and he’d definitely been in Germany then.

‘Agnes and I flew back this morning. Darren and Evie picked us up from the airport.’

I nodded. ‘Ah, so that was why Evie sounded so mysterious and giggly on the phone last night.’

Darren had volunteered to help tomorrow and Evie had put her name down for Monday, both pleading other commitments today. Another thought occurred to me.

‘So Agnes is here?’

Dad nodded, the smile on his face a mix of pride and nerves. ‘Would you like to meet her? She’s waiting in the winery with a huge lad who looks like a pirate.’

‘That’s Matt,’ I laughed. ‘We’d better get back; he’ll have made her taste half a dozen wines by now.’

I checked round quickly to make sure I wasn’t needed and headed to the yard, arm in arm with Dad, sneaking glances at him as we walked. I felt like pinching myself to check I wasn’t dreaming; it was so good to see him. He was completely recovered from his injuries now and had, he told me, been keeping himself busy making new dog runs for Agnes’s dog rescue operation. There was no mention of continuing his European tour and it was obvious he’d found what he was looking for in Germany.

Agnes was leaning on the door frame and, as predicted, she had a glass of sparkling wine in her hand. She was wearing multicoloured harem trousers, a leather biker jacket and Crocs and stood up straight when she spotted us. Matt was nowhere to be seen, but I could hear him singing and clattering about in the winery.

‘Agnes,’ said Dad reverently, ‘may I introduce you to my youngest daughter, Lottie.’

Agnes smiled. ‘Hallo, Lottie.’