‘Funny you never said that when we were together. In fact, I always thought you liked him. Letting him move into the annexe …’

‘That was a business arrangement. A financial transaction. And when he fell out with his father we thought it would keep him near, stop him running off somewhere again, so that you two could …’

‘Live happily ever after?’

Her mother huffed. ‘Obviously not.’ She stood up and went to the cupboard behind her. ‘How about some breakfast? Cereal, or toast?’

‘Bit late for that. It’s more like elevenses time!’

‘Cake then? I’ve got some nice cherry genoa, made yesterday. Or there’s a slice of carrot left?’

‘Is that your answer to everything? Cake? Whatever’s wrong in my life, in the family, in the world, it can be solved with cake.’

‘Don’t be silly. Food can be a comfort, that’s all. Talking of which, what would you like for dinner later? I thought I might invite Madi along. I hear you’ve never actually met, which I find very odd, I must say, what with you letting her live in your gran’s house.’

‘My house, Mum. And I’ve been living in hers, so it seems pretty fair to me. But, yes, I would like to meet her. And to sort out who’s sleeping where, now that I’m back. I’d best not leave it until this evening. I’ll pop round in a minute.’

‘Well, it was good to have you back in your old room last night. You know I always keep it aired, with clean sheets, just in case … so if Madi won’t budge, you can always stay here until she’s gone. Whenever that might be. She’s got her claws right into our Tom, from what I can tell, so who knows how long she might hang around.’

‘Mum! Tom’s perfectly happy with Barbara. You surely don’t think he’d …’

‘Probably not, but you never know, do you? Poor Barbara’s hardly in a position to challenge him, is she? She’d never know, would she? And men do have … needs. Who knows what goes on in other people’s relationships? Just look at you and your Joe.’

‘Well, he’s not exactly my Joe any more, is he? If he ever was.’

‘No, he’s not, and it’s time you held your head up high and showed him you’re doing fine, that you don’t care what he says or does. Running away isn’t the answer. You should have stayed and faced him. You’re a Harris, and we don’t let people walk all over us, you hear?’

Prue laughed. ‘You make it sound like we’re lords of the manor or something. Lord and Lady Harris of Shelling and their spinster daughter!’

‘Spinster indeed! And we don’t need a fancy title to make us who we are, Prue. We’re a good, hardworking family who belong here in Shelling. Don’t let anyone drive you away, that’s all I’m saying. Now, is roast chicken all right for tonight? And an apple pie for afters.’