In contrast, Hannah – because, hey, it was only the village pub – wore comfy jeans, flat boots and a slouchy blue top. The men from MAR Motors were lounging around a table. Two Hannah knew only by sight but Ratty, the one with dark curly hair and piercing blue eyes who’d been here with his wife last week, nodded hello.

‘So why are you home?’ Deanna demanded when they’d found a table. It was a bit near the dartboard for Hannah’s tastes but only a few locals were playing rather than there being a raucous match against a visiting team.

So Hannah explained economically, ‘Ex-boyfriend turned out to be a calculating shit at about the same time Nan needed help.’

Deanna murmured, ‘Wow. It sounds a lot more exciting than nappies and clinic appointments.’

‘A bit too exciting,’ she said gloomily, pouring the wine, which fizzed and settled, reflecting the coloured lights all around the bar. ‘I feel as if someone stuck me in a cannon and shot me home. Nothing’s the same here. Nan’s hurt, Mum and Dad are travelling and Rob’s married.’ Then, thinking Deanna might feel left out, added, ‘And you’re a mum.’

Deanna beamed. ‘You haven’t seen my Shelby since she was a baby, have you? You could have a job as my nanny.’

‘But I’m not a nanny and I don’t want to be one,’ Hannah pointed out.

Deanna sighed. ‘And I can’t afford one. Fancy some crisps?’

While Deanna was at the bar, Hannah listened to the conversations around her. A couple discussed work. A group of youngsters laughed over their phones.

Ratty was talking about Simeon Carlysle. He spoke very Queen’s English compared to most of the villagers and Hannah knew he’d attended a posh school, despite his tattoos and his business restoring old cars. ‘Simeon was the same when we were at school. Spoilt boy,’ he said. ‘Carlysle Courtyard’s almost ready and now he’s vanished.’

One of his mates, a blond man Hannah suddenly remembered was called Pete, asked, ‘Where’s he gone?’

‘Scotland. Met a woman and set off after her like a Jack Russell on heat. Refused to wait until he’d got Carlysle Courtyard open and safely trading. Cassie and Christopher Carlysle don’t know what to do with a batch of unready shops and dissatisfied tenants moving into them.’