My heart pounded and I jumped up. ‘It’s heading our way. Come on, we’ll have to crack on. I’ll go and tell the others.’

Matt caught my arm. ‘They need a break or they won’t have the strength to carry on this afternoon.’

I took a breath. ‘You’re right. How about more volunteers? That would help, wouldn’t it?’

Godfrey swallowed his sandwich. ‘I’ll call Roger, see if he can rope in any of the staff at school.’

Matt was already pulling out his phone. ‘I should be able to get hold of a few pub regulars.’

‘And I’ll ask the volunteers who are already here if they can all invite their friends.’

I jogged out of the winery and across the yard, glad to be doing something positive. We’d all put so much into the vineyard; I couldn’t let us fall at the last hurdle. Betsy’s dining room was packed with hungry workers and they’d spilled out into the kitchen. In the centre was the lady of the house herself, regaling anyone who’d listen with tales of previous harvests. Marjorie was sitting with Agnes swapping motorbike stories. Pippa and Ben were feeding each other crisps and most of the retired couples were standing around, glass in hand, chatting. It was such a convivial, sociable scene but for a moment I stood at the edge of it, observing and feeling completely isolated and alone.

‘Lottie,’ cried Evie, spotting me and patting the chair next to her. ‘You need food, come and sit here.’

Everyone turned and I used the opportunity to attract their attention.

‘Sorry to interrupt your lunch,’ I shouted above the chatter and clatter, ‘but the weather is worsening and we could do with more help with the harvest. Please call anyone and everyone you can to come and help. And remember there’s a bottle of wine in it for everyone who turns up.’

Immediately I finished, the conversation roared into action and everyone began throwing out suggestions of suitable grape-pickers. Pippa was on her phone first, calling the radio station to let them know about our dilemma.

‘I do not have anyone to call,’ said Agnes, sidling up to me and wrapping an arm around my waist, ‘but there is something I can do.’

‘Oh?’ I blinked at her tiredly.

‘I can make you go to bed and take a nap. Ah, ah, ah!’ She held up a finger as I started to protest and steered me to the door. ‘I am very bossy and also used to dealing with your father. You Allbrights are all stubborn. Come.’

Suddenly the thought of my bed was so appealing that I didn’t have the energy to fight. I let Agnes guide me back to The Stables. She took my jacket from me and tugged off my shoes.

‘I will make you some tea.’ She pulled back the covers. ‘And then you will sleep.’