Mary laughed. ‘Of course he is.’ She stood up, ducking out from under the bag of peas. ‘Thanks again, Gavin, but I’d better let you get back to the garden.’

Gavin nodded, watched her for a moment longer, then walked over to fill himself a glass of water just as Susie Stedman knocked and let herself in through the back door.

‘Oh!’ she said. ‘I didn’t realize you had company.’

‘Gavin’s just getting some water. Come through to the living room.’

‘So, does Gavin spend a lot of time here during the day?’ Susie asked with a gleam in her eye, as soon as the living room door was closed.

Mary felt her cheeks heat up.

‘I wish he wouldn’t. Robbie arranged it, when Gavin’s parents asked for some work experience. That’s what they were talking about at Lily’s birthday party.’

‘Ah yes, of course! That makes sense now. The Bowmans were telling everyone at the golf club on Saturday what a great man Robbie is, insisting on buying drinks for him all night. I wasn’t sure what it was about, but I can tell you, they seem only delighted to have an “in” with Rowanbrook’s golden couple.’ She nudged Mary and Mary broke out the expected smile.

‘Hardly golden. I’m sitting here with a throbbing head, looking like goodness knows what. That’s why Gavin was in the kitchen. I bashed my head on the icebox,’ she added.

‘Well, Gavin wouldn’t be my favourite person, but lucky he was here to help. And you’ll have a lovely tidy garden once he eventually figures out what he’s doing.’ Susie shook her head. ‘Robbie’s so good to arrange it for them – I’d say Tom would run a mile if the Bowmans asked him. But then with six kids of our own, we don’t have the time to take on other people’s. It’s different when you’ve just the one.’

Mary bit her lip. ‘Of course. Can I ask, why do you say he’s not your favourite person?’

‘Oh, it’s nothing really. But Mark’s in his year in school and he says Gavin’s trouble.’

‘What kind of trouble?’

‘The usual – not turning up to class, smoking, and apparently’ – she lowered her voice – ‘a little bit of a thing with their science teacher last year. Young, pretty woman who should have known better. Not sure how true it was but the Bowmans were called in about it. Cynthia babysat the younger brother the day of the meeting and overheard them talking about it.’

‘Oh. I see. None of this is making me feel any better about having him here!’ Mary laughed to lighten it.

‘Then tell him to stop coming.’

‘But Robbie arranged it and the Bowmans are so pleased …’

‘I’m sure they are, but would Robbie like it if he knew about the science teacher? And that you were feeling uncomfortable? If I were you, I’d just tell Gavin to stop calling.’

Mary sighed. ‘But how do I say it?’