‘No, I live in Westerly. Can you believe that I came back here? I was so bloody defiant that I was going to leave and then about three years ago, when Brett and I finally admitted defeat that we’d never be able to afford to buy anywhere with a vague London postcode, we bit the bullet and moved back. It’s a bit of a cheesy thing to say but it did feel like coming home though, plus it’s super handy to have my mum on the doorstep for a bit of babysitting. Not that we ever really go out as we’re always so bloody knackered. I never get any sleep.’

‘Sleep’s overrated. What was it Douglas always used to say? Sleep when you’re dead.’

‘Yes, because we were idiots then. Idiots that did not appreciate how amazing actual sleep in a comfy bed all by yourself actually was. So typically Douglas though. You know he hasn’t really changed.’

‘Do you still see him?’

‘Yeah, him and Joel are still pretty close. He lives up in London and works in the City. He’s married and got a kid.’

‘Douglas or Joel?’

My heart starts to hammer in my chest. Of course, it would only be natural for Soph to mention Joel; she’s his cousin.

‘Douglas, obviously. Could you imagine Joel working in the City? No, he went and did his engineering course and he works on yachts.’

‘That’s what he wanted to do.’

‘I know, good for him, right? He’s worked all over the world. A few years in Sydney, a stint in the Caribbean. South of France. We’ve had some great holidays visiting him. He worked on this one superyacht for this American family who used to get him to charter the yacht from Connecticut to the Riviera just in case they fancied a day on the water during their holiday and often they’d go on it for a day. A day. Can you imagine?’

Joel always did know what he wanted to do and it’s reassuring to think that he’s living somewhere many miles away from here.

‘Ah, Edie, it’s so lovely chatting to you on the phone. I’m so glad you looked me up, but what would be even better is if we could do it in person. Why don’t you come down and meet Alfie and Brett? We could do it one weekend.’

‘Me come down to Westerly?’ My palms are getting clammy just at the thought. I haven’t been there since I left Hartland’s and I can’t imagine going back.