Amy is home alone, waiting for Sam. She texted him as soon as she heard from Cosmo and asked him if he could come round. It’s odd, this need to see him, to ask for his company and advice, but somehow he has become important to her. There’s something stable about him; she feels that she can trust him. It’s as if this whole Cosmo thing has been some kind of dream that is fading in the light of something more real, but she still feels angry and hurt, and, even worse, a fool for being taken in.

When she hears the knock at the door she hurries to open it. Sam stands outside and she resists the urge to fling her arms round him.

‘It’s the cavalry,’ he says, grinning at her, stepping past her into the big kitchen. ‘So. What’s new?’

‘I’ve had this text from Cosmo,’ she says, without preamble. ‘He’s back. No explanation or anything. Just asking if we can meet up and can I go over to his for supper.’

‘Well, you’re not going to do that, are you?’ says Sam firmly, then glances quickly at her to see if he’s taking too much for granted.

She shakes her head, remembering the last time she was with Cosmo at the barn. ‘No,’ she says. ‘No, I’m not. But I’m going to have to see him and I don’t want to bump into him unexpectedly. I just don’t know how to do it.’

‘You suggest that you meet at the Coffee Shop,’ says Sam. ‘After all, that’s what you often do, isn’t it?’

‘The Coffee Shop?’ She stares at him. ‘Seriously? In public?’

‘Definitely in public,’ answers Sam calmly. ‘That way you’re totally in control. He can’t shout or get stroppy in the Coffee Shop. You’ll be able to listen to him and then tell him how you feel.’

Amy thinks about this plan. She can see that it has its merits.

‘It’s sounding,’ says Sam rather tentatively, ‘as if you’re not expecting him to have any good excuse for dashing away.’

She shakes her head. ‘I haven’t. He’s been out of touch for so long. And when I asked Al he just looked really embarrassed and ducked the question. I knew then that something’s going on and … oh, I don’t know. I don’t want to be made a fool of, I suppose. Though it’ll be interesting to hear what he has to say.’

‘Well, either way, for you it’s a win-win situation. If you think he’s conning you then you just pick your moment and walk out, but if he’s utterly convincing and you change your mind then you can take it from there.’