Frank gave her an uneasy smile as he clicked the key-fob to unlock the car doors. Last night, he’d wondered if Yvonne might always have worn make-up. But, now, seeing her in the cold light of day, with her kohl eyeliner and scarlet lipstick, he was pretty sure he’d have noticed if she’d ever looked like this in the past.

‘What time will you be back?’ Yvonne asked, letting go of his arm when he pulled the car door open. ‘Will it be more lunchtime, or teatime, do you think? Only, if I’m coming over to help you clear up, I might as well pop something in the oven, so I need to know whether to do a light lunch, or a proper meal?’

‘I’m not sure how long I’ll be, so it’s probably best if you see to yourself,’ Frank replied evasively. ‘I’ll pick something up in the village.’

‘Oh, I didn’t realize you were going to the village,’ Yvonne pounced. ‘I was going to pop down there myself, so why don’t I leave my car here and come with you? I can do my shopping then wait for you in the café.’

‘I’m not actually going that way,’ Frank backtracked. ‘I was thinking of stopping off at the bakery on my way back, that’s all.’

‘Well, there must be shops where you are going, so I could still—’

‘No!’

Yvonne drew her head back as if he’d slapped her, and Frank immediately felt guilty.

‘Sorry, I didn’t mean to bite your head off. But I really need to get going, or I’ll be late for my appointment.’

Yvonne nodded and patted his arm.

‘Don’t worry, love, I understand. You’ve had a rough time these last few months, so you’re bound to be feeling a bit fraught. But please stop thinking you’ve got to cope with it on your own, because I’m here to help. OK?’

‘OK,’ Frank conceded, sighing as he climbed into the driver’s seat.

Before he had a chance to close the door, Yvonne leaned in and planted a kiss on his cheek. Then, leaving a trail of cloying perfume in her wake, she waggled her fingers at him before heading to her own car.

Shoulders slumping when she’d driven away, Frank started the engine and reversed the car to the back of the house, before jumping out and opening the barn doors. Yvonne meant well, but he’d never been the best at making small-talk, and the thought of being trapped in the house with her filled him with dread, so he would park the car out of sight in the barn, he decided; make her think he was still out if she came back round.