Charley shrugs away the problem of the mythical girlfriend. All’s fair in love and war, and Amy should take her advantage and run with it. Seize the day and let the future take care of itself. Even as she repeats her mantra to herself she is aware of its treacherous repercussions. Nevertheless she refuses to acknowledge them. To do so would mean that she might have to acknowledge the flaws and failures in her own life. She mustn’t allow herself to think about Simon, who finds it difficult to commit to a settled life, or her own inability to hold down a serious job for any length of time. She must continue to play the part of the fun, independent, up-together woman. She must never let anyone see behind the smoke and mirrors, not even herself: especially not herself. Instead she taps out a reply to Amy:

Gorgeous. Go for it xx

When another text comes in – Cosmo’s making supper. Would you like to come to Dad’s birthday party next weekend? – Charley is filled with pleasure, not only at the idea of Amy and Cosmo enjoying an intimate supper together, but also at the prospect of a party. Smiling to herself, Charley sends a quick acceptance, hums a bar or two from ‘Holding out for a Hero’ and goes to pour herself a glass of wine.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Judith comes out of Cranch’s and pauses on the pavement to check her shopping list. Max has suggested that they should meet up in the Coffee Shop when she’s finished but for the life of her she can’t imagine why they would do that when they can have coffee at home five minutes away. When she said so to Max she saw a fleeting expression on Cara’s face: a blend of puzzlement, amusement and pity.

Annoyance at this almost patronizing look was very difficult to control but Judith simply replied that she’d never had time for café society – if that was what it was called – and it was probably too late to start now. As far as she can tell, in the few days she’s been away, Max and Cara have spent most of their time in the Coffee Shop or in the pub.

‘Good morning, Judith.’

Jack Hannaford is smiling at her. Time was he would have called her Mrs Watson but now he considers himself to be almost a friend of the family. In fact, they’ve been invited to his birthday party. It’s very difficult in such a small community to maintain the required distance between neighbours and the people who work for you, but it’s necessary to try to hold on to your privacy.