Half an hour later, they pulled up beside a pretty village green. There was a posh hotel, a stream running alongside the only street, towering oaks providing dappled shade and dozens of people wielding cameras.

They climbed out of the car and headed away from the bustle, following the stream in the opposite direction into the lush, green fields. There were few people here and Zak took her hand as they strolled through the meadows that bordered the stream as it grew bolder and became a river.

‘Happy?’ he asked.

She leaned into his side. ‘More than I ever thought possible. This is a beautiful place. It makes me wonder why on earth I live in London.’

The sound of birdsong filled the air and there was a twitcher in the opposite field to them, his binoculars to his eyes. Despite the warm weather he was wearing a big coat and had a hat pulled right down on his head. Lauren smiled to herself. A good old British eccentric.

They strolled on until they came to the picturesque village of Upper Slainton. There was a green bordered by a row of terraced cottages on one side and a small church on the other. The river meandered through the centre, water clear and sparkling in the sun. Beyond the green was a former mill house that had been converted into a tea room.

‘I think it’s time for some more calories,’ Zak said.

‘I’ve never known anyone eat as much as you.’

‘I need to keep my strength up.’ He rubbed his hands together in anticipation.

The Mill House Café was cramped inside but beyond the main room there was a welcoming garden, which stretched out along by the river. An eclectic mix of tables and chairs dressed in pastel shades were scattered about. Zak chose one in the cool shade. Lauren sat down, hot from walking, and fanned herself with the menu.

‘Afternoon tea,’ Zak said. ‘Just what the doctor ordered.’

‘I couldn’t,’ Lauren protested, but found herself strangely hungry. Real hunger, not the knot of anxiety that was usually there.

‘You could,’ Zak countered. ‘What type of tea would you like?’

‘Earl Grey, if they have it.’

‘I’ll be back in just a moment.’ Zak kissed her warmly and then sighed with joy. ‘Don’t go away.’

Lauren squeezed his hand. ‘I’m not planning on going anywhere.’

‘I’ll hold you to that,’ he said, then disappeared into the Mill House again to order their cream teas.

An old Billie Holiday song, the name of which she couldn’t remember, drifted out into the garden and Lauren closed her eyes, which were pleasantly heavy, and let the music wash over her. After a moment she became aware that she was being watched and opened her eyes, expecting to find Zak standing there.