‘Oh.’ She waved a hand airily. ‘Putting together a jobs rota for the volunteers to cover pruning, mowing, checking the vines for disease. There are always vine supports and fences to be mended, grass to mow and of course the garden at the back of the house too. And looking ahead, organizing supplies and workforce for the harvest. Oh, and a few household jobs which I struggle with.’ She leaned forward, lowered her voice and wagged a finger. ‘Do not under any circumstances tell Marjorie that I struggle. With anything.’

‘Understood.’ I nodded firmly.

‘And the odd bit of driving. If Marjorie can’t take me. That sound okay?’

‘That sounds ideal.’ And it was almost word for word what the job advertisement had said, I thought, feeling my mouth twitch into a smile.

‘That’s better.’ She patted my arm. ‘Now, on you go. I’ll see you tomorrow.’

‘Tomorrow?’ I said, surprised.

‘I thought you wanted to move in straight away? No sense in dilly-dallying.’

‘Oh, yes please.’

‘That’s settled then.’ She looked innocently at me. ‘Besides, the vineyard won’t prune itself.’

Chapter 10

Twenty-four hours after starting my job hunt, I arrived at Butterworth Wines to take up my new position. I parked in front of the winery as before and removed my two suitcases from the back. It was only five days since I’d fled London with them, I’d packed them again on leaving Dad’s on Monday and again this morning at Evie’s. No wonder I was tired.

Evie had been a bit tearful when I left her house and I sensed she was beginning to feel out of her depth. Her application to become a foster carer seemed to be going full steam ahead, which was exciting on the one hand and terrifying on the other. I worried that she was rushing into this without giving herself time to grieve for the breakdown of her marriage but she wouldn’t listen when I tried to talk about it.

Still, I was only a couple of miles away – close enough to be with her in minutes, but far enough away to keep the threat of a repeat visit from Harvey at bay. I’d text him later, I thought, let him know that I’d moved out of Evie’s house so there was no point in him coming back in.

The stable door opened, breaking into my thoughts, and Betsy appeared.

‘Lottie? Is that you?’ She shielded her eyes with her hand although the sun hadn’t yet put in an appearance and a slight breeze was keeping the temperature cooler than it had been for the last few days.

‘Yes. Morning!’ I called. ‘Shall I bring my cases over?’

‘Yes do,’ she said, bending to lift a small white and brown dog into her arms. ‘Welcome to Butterworth Wines, and specifically to The Stables.’

‘Thank you, I’m very glad to be here.’