‘He has moments where he tries to escape, but I haven’t let him out yet because I don’t want him to try and head back to the island.’

‘Are you going to keep him here?’

Dan nodded. ‘I think so. He’s getting old and might get stressed when people start coming and going to assess the structural integrity of the buildings and then, if we can afford them, to do the works. Anyway, he’s good company.’

I could see he would be, I thought, as I rubbed him under his chin. I’d always wanted a cat but never had one because Adrian was allergic, or so he said. I suspect he just didn’t like them. Over the last couple of months, I’d started to realise there were a number of things I’d avoided because Adrian didn’t like or approve of them.

I chuckled as I added getting a kitten to the list I’d been drafting in my head for one of my blog posts: ‘Top Ten Things to Celebrate Being Single Again’.

I’d already ticked number one off the list—replacing my old shoe wardrobe with shoes entirely impractical and pretty that I chose myself—and was rapidly adding to it. In fact, the way I was going I might make it a Top 100 list!

‘What’s so funny?’ Dan asked.

‘Sorry.’ I took a breath, deliberating for a moment whether to tell him about my blog or come up with some other excuse for why I was grinning like an idiot. In the end, I told him the truth, explaining that I was hoping the regular blogging combined with the writing I was doing for Jedda would get me back into the habit and give me the confidence to pursue journalism again once my divorce was finalised.

‘Why wait until your divorce is through?’

‘I don’t want to overwhelm myself just yet. Right now, I’m taking things one step at a time. My priority has to be making sure the kids are okay.’

‘Fair enough.’

‘But if my blog can help anyone in a similar situation to me, then I’ll be happy.’

‘I think it’s a great idea. What’s the address?’

I frowned. ‘The address?’

He flashed me his shiny white teeth in a bemused smile. ‘Of your blog.’

‘Oh, right.’ I flushed a little but gave it to him and then drained the last dregs of my wine. He was probably being polite. It was unlikely he’d actually read my first two very long-winded posts.

‘You want a top-up?’ Dan nodded towards my empty glass. ‘We’ve finished your bottle, but I’ve got another, or maybe you’d prefer something else. Beer, whisky, a coffee?’

I glanced at my watch, unable to believe how fast the last few hours had gone. So much for being tired and needing an early night.