And they chatted for a while about festivals and favourite authors and what a shame it was that another independent bookshop was closing down, even if it was out of choice.

As she topped up glasses, answered questions and circulated among the crowd – the shop was understandably packed; it was a huge favourite and had been there for years – Laura felt a sense of pride and sadness. Not an overwhelming sadness, because she had things to look forward to, but she was going to miss it. It was as if she was throwing off her old, safe self, like a treasured overcoat, outgrown.

It was after ten before Henry closed the door on the last straggler: an enthusiastic member of the local press who’d wanted to get all his angles (and help them finish the wine).

‘Well, that was a great party,’ said Henry as he, Grant and Laura cleared up. The part-time staff had been sent home because Laura insisted they’d covered for her so much recently, she didn’t want them doing extra washing-up as well.

‘Yes. It was a shame Monica couldn’t come though,’ Laura said to Grant as she gathered up a pile of paper plates. ‘You’d really get on.’

‘Well, we’ll have to have another get-together sometime.’ Grant sighed deeply. ‘It’s going to be really sad not being a team any more.’

Laura put her arms round him. ‘I know! I’ve suddenly gone all weepy.’ She’d managed to keep any threatening tears in check all evening but now it was just the three of them she felt them pricking behind her eyes.

‘Oh, do brace up!’ said Henry, who couldn’t be doing with all this emotion. ‘You’ll both go on to greater things and soon forget about this little shop.’

‘It’s not that little,’ said Grant, releasing himself from Laura and tying up yet another black bag.

‘And I won’t forget it,’ said Laura. ‘It – well, you, Henry, really – taught me all I know.’

‘Well, don’t get all maudlin!’ said Henry, dropping empty bottles into a cardboard box. ‘We’ll keep in touch over Laura’s festival, won’t we? And I’ll give you both splendid references.’

‘And we’re not actually closing until the end of the week,’ Grant reminded them, ‘and then we’ve got a few days packing up.’