‘I think it’s a good idea,’ said Maude. ‘A week’s not long, and you need to spend as much time as you can in each other’s company, in order to work out where your true feelings lie.’

Josie felt she had no choice but to play devil’s advocate. ‘Won’t it look a bit suspicious if you don’t tell Ralph and he finds out on the grapevine? A bit like you, when Ralph told you about Beth.’

Olivia pursed her lips. ‘This is totally different. Beth made a move on him and he kept it to himself. I’m meeting Ted for a very different reason.’

Josie blushed awkwardly. ‘Yes, you’re meeting him so that you can discuss what happened to the baby you shared when you were fourteen.’

Olivia’s mouth dropped open. ‘Whose side are you on?’

Maude quickly intervened. ‘She’s on your side, Liv, we both are, but you have to admit, it is a bit like pot and kettle. You know it would look far less suspicious if you told Ralph beforehand. You don’t have to mention your relationship with Ted, just say he’s an old friend – where’s the harm in that?’

Olivia backed down. ‘You’re right, I should tell Ralph, but I can’t, because I’d be lying if I said I was only meeting Ted as an old friend, or to discuss my father. The truth is I’m meeting Ted for much more than that. He meant – means – an awful lot to me, and the feelings I had for him are resurfacing, and I already know he’s keen on me, he’s as good as said so.’

‘Golly,’ breathed Maude. ‘What are you going to do about Ralph?’

Olivia rubbed her forehead. ‘I don’t know. It’s not like we’re official or anything, but I like Ralph a lot. In fact, if Ted hadn’t shown up, I think we could have made a go of it, which is why I’m reluctant to say anything just yet, in case my feelings for Ted are misguided.’

Josie nodded slowly. ‘Reliving your youth type of thing?’

‘That’s it in a nutshell. When I see Ted the years melt away and I feel like a kid again, when everything was all right, my mum was still alive, and I had a wonderful friend, who I loved very much. Who wouldn’t want that back?’

‘So, you want to make sure that the feelings you have now aren’t based on bygone times?’ said Maude, who was beginning to understand why her friend was in such emotional turmoil.

‘I don’t want to give Ralph up to chase a pipe dream.’ Olivia hesitated. ‘Does that make me a bad person?’