He definitely wished he hadn’t gone to the beach in the first place. He hadn’t needed to watch her that night, there were plenty of other opportunities. Especially when she was around their house almost every evening for dinner.

Maria was just popping the chicken in the oven when there was a loud rap on her kitchen window. She looked up to see Susan Carlton. Her friend was clearly here to discuss Danny and Tess, and Maria felt dreadful that she hadn’t made the effort to call on her. She didn’t like to admit it, but she had been avoiding her.

‘Come in,’ Maria called, her eyebrows furrowed as she dropped her oven gloves on the side. ‘Can I get you a tea?’

Susan glanced at her watch as she appeared in the open doorway. ‘I’d say it was time for wine, wouldn’t you?’

Maria felt her shoulders melt. ‘Definitely,’ she smiled. ‘I’m so sorry—’

Susan waved a hand in the air. ‘Don’t be. I just thought I’d better come before it got more awkward.’

Maria filled two glasses with a nice Chablis David had brought back from the mainland and they went outside. She took a deep breath. ‘Danny hasn’t said much,’ she started, ‘but he tells me it wasn’t what it seemed. I don’t think he intended to grab Tess or hurt her in any way. What does Tess say?’

Susan sighed. ‘Her exact words were that she’d gone into the cave to go to the toilet and was pulling her trousers down when Danny suddenly rushed out from the shadows and grabbed.’

Maria winced as she watched her friend. There was something distant about Susan as she gazed ahead of her, and she didn’t think it was just what had happened between their children. ‘I’m so sorry,’ she said again. ‘I know Tess wouldn’t lie but I can’t believe Danny meant anything by it.’

Susan shook her head and reached for Maria’s hand. If anyone else understood Danny, it was her two friends. Both Susan and Annie knew first-hand how little Danny gave, but they also knew he wasn’t the type to hurt anyone.

Maria was pleased they’d spoken and she felt she could put the incident behind her. Move on. In fact, she’d let her guard down completely by the time she served dinner outdoors, and was already thinking about other things when Iona said, ‘It was a terrible thing that happened the other night.’

Maria watched Bonnie’s mouth drop open, her fork caught midway as she prodded a potato.

‘I hope you’re feeling okay about it, Danny?’ Iona went on.