Soph wasn’t kidding when she said Hartland’s had gone upmarket. I’d never have known it was the same place. From the purpose-built, air-conditioned brick-walled reception block to the fancy wooden lodges that had replaced the white plastic mobile homes, everything had had a makeover. I had been worried that I’d be flooded by memories of my childhood, or of my time working here and my mum dying, but, ironically, I’m getting upset that it’s so different and that it’s not triggering any memories.

The lodge we’re staying in is beautiful. It’s got a sliding patio door at the front that lets the light in and a new-looking kitchenette with sleek black appliances and a long table with benches inside, and a comfortable L-shaped sofa in the lounge area. The three bedrooms are split into a double and two twins. I’m the first to arrive and I bag the twin without bunk beds.

‘Hello,’ calls Joel and I head down to meet him.

‘Hey.’

He walks over the threshold, a bag slung over his shoulder.

‘Are you and Miles the first ones here? It’s too quiet for Soph to be here.’

‘I am the first, and it’s just me. Miles has got a conference call tonight. He’ll be down tomorrow. Where’s Verity?’

‘She flew to the US this morning. She changed her flight so she could have a few more days with her family before she flies to Florida.’

‘Shame she won’t be here.’

‘She was sorry to miss it.’

We might have cleared the air paddle boarding but we’re still trying to find our feet being friends.

‘This place is pretty fancy. Do you think that if we were eighteen we would be able to get jobs here now?’ Joel asks, slipping his bag off his shoulder.

‘No.’ I laugh. ‘I imagine they probably have higher standards.’

My phone rings from the bedroom but by the time I get it I’ve missed a call from Soph. I walk back into the living room.

‘Voicemail from Soph,’ I say, putting it to my ear.

‘Hi Edie, Alfie’s not right, he’s got a really upset belly. It could be teething or something that he’s eaten, or the fact that we were off on an awesome weekend and he thought he’d scupper our plans. Who knows? But what I do know is that you won’t want us in a paper-thin walled room with a grizzling baby, or for him to pass on any bug to you guys. So we’re going to wait and see if he’s better tomorrow and come then. I hope you guys have a lovely time tonight.’

I put the phone down and look up at Joel with a sense of dread.

‘Everything OK?’

‘That was Soph. Her and Brett aren’t going to make it until tomorrow as they’re worried that Alfie is sick.’