I still feel as if my head is going to spin right off when I think how much has happened over the past two years. Not only did Billy propose to Hayley on their one-year anniversary, they have also had a baby together. My two best friends are hurtling along towards settled adulthood at a speed that I am finding difficult to fathom. When Hayley asked me gently how things were progressing between me and Kit, it made me realize that we haven’t so much as talked about any of it – not marriage, not children. We have been so busy, working at the yard, spending time with Tui, getting to know each other more – there hasn’t been time to pause, let alone dwell on the future. All I know for sure is that I want Kit, both now and forever. I thought he wanted the same thing …

As soon as I’ve parked the car, I pull out my phone again and scroll to Kit’s number, pressing the call button before I have time to change my mind. If I can hear his voice, I’ll feel better. I have no idea what is wrong with me – I’m never usually this needy. But my gut is also rarely wrong, and right now, it’s telling me that all is not as it seems.

The call goes straight to voicemail. That is it.

‘WHERE THE BLOODY HELL ARE YOU?’ I text furiously, knowing my use of caps lock will make Kit roll his eyes, but for once not caring. I need to know why he’s ignoring me; it’s not bloody fair.

‘Come on Genie, come onnnn,’ Tui calls in her singsong voice. Beavis, who has come along for the ride, bounds ahead of us along the shaded pathway, his tail held aloft with adorable doggy enthusiasm.

‘Aren’t we going to the swing?’ I ask, but Tui nods her head, dragging me by the hand through the park. I don’t visit here as much as I used to, what with working six or sometimes seven days a week at the stables, but I still love it. Now that autumn has arrived on the South Island, all the trees are dressed in their finest clothes, each an explosion of vibrant colour, and the air smells rich and sweet.

‘Tui, where are you taking me?’

‘This way, Genie, this way.’

We’re going right to the far end of the park, to where the old wooden jetty stretches out into the lake. In the summer, you can rent a boat and row around in the shallows. It’s never been Tui’s favourite place, though – especially not out of season.

The final bit of the pathway takes us through a thicket of dense trees, and as I trip over on an exposed root, Tui’s hand slips from mine and, giggling, she runs away, disappearing from sight before I’ve had time to regain my balance.