James’s arm draped over the back of her seat as he turned to reverse, and his proximity made something stir inside her. She tensed and inched away from him, looking out of the window as they drove along the high street until he spoke, pulling her attention back inside the car.

‘I thought we could go to the pub up on the moors. It’ll look fabulous today. How about it?

It was a popular place to eat and the food was always good, but there was a chance she’d see someone she knew, and that could make her life difficult. Sara squirmed.

‘Could we go a bit further afield?’ She cringed, feeling awkward about asking. ‘It’s just Matt has a bit of a jealous streak. He wouldn’t understand about business lunches. He’d jump to the wrong conclusion and I honestly haven’t the energy.’

She listened to her own words and realised it was exactly how she’d reacted to Matt and the mystery woman in his office. Perhaps it was a work thing? She turned her attention to the countryside again, wondering if she had a jealous streak too. He denied there was anyone there, though. Why would he do that if it was all above board?

‘Okay, I hadn’t thought about that,’ James said, and turned towards Skipton instead.

They went to a country pub in a little village on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales, the drive taking fifteen minutes where it would have taken Sara half an hour. James was showing off, she thought, throwing the car round bends like a rally driver, and the machine stuck to the road on its big fat tyres. Surprisingly, she found it exhilarating, rather than scary, a hidden part of her thrilled at the excitement and danger of driving so fast. Her life had been so safe since she’d had the children, their limitations becoming her boundaries, and when she thought about it, she’d rarely done anything just for her since they’d come into her life. Now she was ready to broaden her horizons, do more to meet her own needs before she disappeared as a person completely.

The pub was quiet, and they sat in the garden at the back, where wicker seats with comfy cushions surrounded the tables. Large pots had been planted with colourful flowers and high walls sheltered the area from any breeze, making it a pleasant suntrap. Sara sat back in her chair while James went to place their order at the bar, enjoying the warmth of the sun on her skin. She tipped her head back and closed her eyes, letting out a contented sigh.