‘You still really love him, don’t you?’ I said, thrilled that there was still a chance for them.

‘I do,’ she said softly. ‘I know we’ve had our ups and downs, but when Harvey turned up on Tuesday and I went to call Darren, I realized what a huge hole he has left in my life. It broke my heart. If he wants to move back in I swear I’ll jump on him at the table.’

‘That I’d love to see,’ I said. ‘In fact, I could have seen it. I was invited out to dinner there myself this evening.’

‘By whom?’

‘Jensen Butterworth, Betsy’s handsome grandson.’ I could feel my cheeks lifting as I talked. ‘He turned up out of the blue this evening in his brand-new car, smelling divine and with the loveliest bouquet—’

Evie squealed again. ‘You fancy him; I can tell by your swoony voice!’

‘If I wasn’t so metaphorically bruised and battered by my ex, I probably would; but let’s face it, Evie, I need a break from relationships for a while. So don’t encourage me.’

She conceded that I had a point and we discussed her outfit possibilities for a few minutes before ending the call. I closed my eyes and allowed myself to slump down on the little sofa. I stretched my arms to the side of me and planted my heels on the rug to anchor me. I suddenly had an image of me and Evie doing snow angels in deep fresh snow outside our back door in our pyjamas. We’d thought Mum would go mad, but she’d run to fetch the camera and took pictures of us instead. Giggling to myself, I replayed the motion again now, my legs and arms flailing like a starfish.

‘Lottie? I’ve brought you— Oh, sorry, I’m interrupting … something.’

My eyes flew open to find Jensen hanging over the open half of the stable door, looking startled.

‘Yoga. Helps to release tension from the spine.’ I jumped to my feet, pressed my hands together in prayer over my heart and did a small bow, hoping to disguise my burning face. ‘Namaste.’

‘Namaste,’ he replied, clearly amused, one blond eyebrow arched. His eyebrows were lighter than his hair, I noticed. Sun-bleached almost. His face was tanned too; I bet he’d had freckles when he was younger. My first boyfriend had freckles. Everywhere. I used to trace them with my finger across his tummy. I wondered if Jensen had freckles left anywhere …

He coughed politely and I realized I was still in prayer mode. I dropped my hands, swung them around a bit and then settled them on my hips.

‘You brought me something?’

‘Gran sent you these,’ he said, holding out a stack of books. ‘She’s gone to get changed before we go out.’