‘Another four months, but I’m two-thirds of the way through my maternity leave and it’s flown by. I might have felt like I’ve lived every single second of them with Alfie not sleeping, but, still, the closer work gets, the faster it seems to go.’ She sighs deeply. ‘Don’t mind me, I always get a bit melancholy at the end of the summer. It’s a weird feeling, isn’t it? You look forward to summer from January onwards, all the outdoor events and the fun they bring, and then poof, it’s over before you know it. Then it gets colder and darker.’

‘But then there’s Christmas.’

‘I know, but for me I always love the summer. You know our time at Hartland’s will always be one of my favourites.’

‘Mine too. I mean it was my best and my worst summer.’

‘Oh Edie, I’m so sorry. I didn’t think. It must be soon, right?’ She leans over and puts her arm around my shoulders and gives me a hug.

‘Yeah, a week on Wednesday.’

I’m dreading this anniversary because, thanks to the emails, it’s made me remember that time in more vivid detail.

‘Next Wednesday? That’s so soon. Are you doing anything? You’re welcome to come and stay with us if you like. We’re free most of that week. We’ve got Joel and Verity’s wedding on the Friday morning, but other than that we’re free.’

I’m about to interrupt to tell her that Dad and I always spend the day together when I register what she’s said. I’m leaning on my elbows and I slowly push myself up to sitting, worried that my arms aren’t going to support me any longer.

‘Joel’s getting married?’

Soph’s distracted by Alfie launching himself at the grass with his newfound freedom, trying to curl his mouth around the tips. She doesn’t notice that I’m almost shaking.

‘Yeah, but don’t be offended that you’re not invited,’ she says, wrestling Alfie off the grass just as his mouth makes contact. ‘Brett and I are only going as we’re witnesses. It’s going to be a small ceremony at the registry office, nothing fancy or anything.’

The world is starting to spin and my chest is burning.

‘He’s getting married.’ I try and come to terms with it.

‘I know. It’s almost unbelievable that Joel is finally putting a ring on it. They’ve said that they’re only doing it because it makes it easier for him to get a work visa, but of course the hopeless romantic in me thinks that he’s telling himself that so he doesn’t get scared.