‘That was delicious. All of it!’ she exclaimed as her husband answered his phone and stepped away from the table. ‘And you made the food yourself?’

‘Yes,’ Lily said, returning her smile.

‘Even the cheese?’

‘We do have great local produce in Devon, but I’ve been experimenting with vegetarian rennet and—’

‘Oh, here we go,’ Henry teased. ‘Don’t get her started on food. Lily owns a restaurant down in the harbour that is truly excellent.’

Lily blushed, touched that he would say such a thing and feeling slightly awkward for the praise. She’d always hated the spotlight.

‘And, I know this is so silly, but I absolutely love your dress.’

‘It’s not silly, it is a lovely dress made by my friend Victoria.’

‘Is she here too? I’d love to go to her shop.’

Lily let out a small sigh. ‘Sadly not. She’s in London, but she is working on her first collection for Russell & Co’s department store.’

‘Wow, that’s pretty amazing.’

‘Yes, it is and she is,’ Lily replied proudly. ‘The collection will be under Victoria Scott, just in case you’re interested.’

‘I am! Very,’ she said, eyeing up Lily’s dress one more time as her husband returned to the table.

‘I’m afraid that’s us, darling,’ Jameson said to his wife. ‘We have to be getting back. But it’s been a real eye-opener, let me tell you.’ He turned to Henry. ‘It’s a really great set-up here and I must say, I’m very interested.’

Lily frowned, not quite sure what Jameson was interested in.

‘And,’ he said turning to Lily, ‘it was a pleasure to meet you. I don’t suppose you’re included in the package?’ he said, laughing to himself. Not that Lily could see exactly why he was laughing. She cast a glance to Henry, who had turned to stone, the colour draining from his features.

‘What package?’ she asked, smiling despite the way nausea was swirling in her stomach, not yet sure what he was talking about, but instinctively knowing that she wouldn’t like it.

‘The sale package, of course. For the estate. It really has been so lovely,’ he insisted, taking her hand and pumping it in a strong shake, seemingly unaware of how the bottom had just dropped out of Lily’s world.

She glued her gaze and smile in place to the retreating backs of Jameson, his wife and his assistant. She was even aware that she had raised her hand to wave off the group as the doors shut behind them on the sleek black saloon. She stood there, hand still raised in a wave, as the car disappeared down the drive and then from view. She stood for just a moment, shock and fury raging within, competing against the sheer speechlessness that prevented one single word or sound from erupting from her throat.

‘Say something, Lily. Please,’ Henry begged from behind her.