‘Don’t you think?’ she persisted, following him into the kitchen. ‘Maybe all she needed was to find a good friend and now she has one.’

‘Maria,’ he said, stopping her. She heard him sigh even though he tried his best to hide it. ‘You mustn’t keep worrying over Bonnie. She’s fine.’

But things had never truly been fine, and this was one thing – the only major thing – they’d never agreed on.

‘Well, I’ve invited Iona to dinner tonight,’ she went on, refusing to get niggled, ‘so please don’t be late.’ As she spoke Maria glanced out of the kitchen window at her daughter with her new friend. They were laughing, engrossed in conversation, and it was such an unusual sight that Maria almost wished she could take a photograph.

‘You see, I’d never get a view like this back at home,’ Iona said, stretching out on the lounger.

Bonnie watched her friend’s movements. Her long legs made her look like she could be a dancer. She uncrossed her own and slid them down the sunbed until they were almost touching Iona’s. ‘I guess it’s pretty good,’ she said.

‘You’re joking, right? It’s amazing.’

Bonnie looked to the sea and the hustle of the people on the jetty. There were so many of them, as there always were on summer days, stepping off her dad’s boat, excited to see what twee little place they lived in. Sometimes she felt like she was in a bloody zoo.

‘I can’t believe you don’t realise how wonderful it is. If I lived here …’ Iona trailed off but it felt like an intended pause to Bonnie when she added, ‘Well, I wouldn’t want to go anywhere else.’

Bonnie snorted. ‘You really wouldn’t miss everything out there?’ She gestured in the direction of the mainland.

Iona shrugged. ‘I don’t think so.’

Bonnie glanced away and saw her dad between the trees, walking down the jetty towards his boat. Maybe she should try and see Evergreen how Iona did, but she didn’t think she could. There was just something about it she really didn’t like.

‘It’s so kind of your mum to invite me to dinner tonight,’ Iona said. ‘It’s not easy when you don’t know anyone.’ Bonnie didn’t get the impression there was anything Iona wouldn’t find easy. Her friend leant her head closer still, dropping her voice even though there was no one near. ‘I don’t like spending too much time in the house in the village,’ she said. ‘I think the couple is a bit weird.’ She grimaced before breaking into a grin.

Bonnie laughed as warmth spread over her. She wanted Iona to share more, things she wouldn’t tell anyone but her. To think she hadn’t been going to bother making an effort. Bonnie was so grateful Iona had sought her out instead.