I couldn’t help noticing that the drive home from Gidleigh Park was a lot more leisurely and unhurried than the drive there. Possibly because Richard had consumed a fair amount of alcohol and didn’t want to arouse interest from patrolling police cars. I couldn’t convince him we were very unlikely to meet any on the roads between Chagford and Ashburton. I got the feeling that he was deliberately taking his time.

It was a fine, clear night, and the stars were out in force. ‘Wow!’ Richard leant forward over the steering wheel to try and get a better view. ‘You never see them like this in London. Too much light pollution. Let’s just stop a minute.’

Before I could argue he’d pulled over into a lay-by, stopped the car, got out and was standing, gazing up at the Milky Way above him. Muttering, and drawing my shawl tightly round my bare arms and shoulders, I got out and joined him. It was true the sky was a magnificent sight. I’d rarely seen the stars look so bright and clear, glittering, sharp, pricking the velvet black night. Richard began pointing out constellations, whilst at the same time protesting that he didn’t know anything about astronomy. My shawl clutched around me I soon began to shiver and reminded him of my need to be up early. Apologising, he got back in the car, but I still couldn’t shake off the feeling that he was deliberately wasting time.

I felt profound relief when we drew up outside the house. But whatever I felt about Richard, or he felt about me for that matter, he had treated me to a fabulous and expensive dinner. ‘Thank you,’ I said, and leant across to kiss him lightly on his bearded cheek. He turned his head, cupping my chin with a swift motion and kissed me on the lips. It was not at all unpleasant and the swift efficiency with which he had accomplished the manoeuvre took me by surprise. ‘Well!’ I breathed.

He kissed me again, in a rather more leisurely fashion and I let him. Possibly it was the wine I had drunk during the evening, but kissing him suddenly seemed like a very good idea.

He drew back and looked down at me. ‘God, but you’re beautiful!’

That was it, the brief illusion of romance shattered, split asunder by my loud crack of laughter. ‘And impossible!’ he added, leaning across me to open the car door. Giggling, I got out. Then I turned to look back at him, serious again. ‘I still haven’t made up my mind about the shop and the flat …’

‘Just take it, why not?’ Richard shrugged. ‘It was what the old man wanted.’

‘I’ll think about it.’

‘I promise you, there won’t be any fuss from Helena and Harry. I’ll make sure of that.’

I nodded and thanked him, trying to stifle a hippo-sized yawn.