‘I’m really sorry if you didn’t want anyone to know. I’ve only told Isobel because she was there when Adam rang and heard bits of our conversation anyway.’

‘Oh, don’t be sorry. It’s no secret – how could it be? These things are public knowledge. My fault for not wanting to talk about it earlier. I should have said something to you on the first day.’

‘Why did you think it was Marnie?’ she asked.

‘Because she was the only person I’ve told about it, and I thought she must have said something to Bunty . . . because Bunty obviously knows too.’

She said: ‘I’m afraid that was my fault – I certainly didn’t intend to tell her, but unbeknownst to me she was standing in the doorway, ears flapping, and overheard what I was saying to Isobel.’

‘I’m sure she must have lapped it up. Oh well, you’ve saved me a lot of trouble and now I shan’t need to tell anyone myself,’ he said. ‘What a relief! Please don’t worry.’

‘It’s very nice of you to take it like that,’ she said. ‘I’d have hated to make things difficult for you. I’m glad you’re not angry with me.’

‘Of course I’m not angry with you. Only cross with myself for being so stupid in trying to keep it dark in the first place, and even crosser with myself for wrongly blaming Marnie. She was very hurt with me for presuming she’d betrayed what she obviously regarded as a confidence. That I do mind.’

‘Well at least I can put that right for you,’ said Louisa. ‘I’ll go and tell her it was my fault.’

‘No thank you, Louisa,’ he said firmly. ‘It’s very kind of you but I’d rather do it myself. I owe her an apology.’

She felt a small, unworthy pang of jealousy. Why had he chosen to confide in Marnie? What had gauche Marnie got that she hadn’t?

‘What will you do when the course is over?’ he asked.

‘I haven’t decided yet. Even though I doubt if I’ll continue with the writing, I’m enjoying the course so much I might well do something else. It’s opened up a lot of new ideas. It’s good for one to do something completely different.’

They were both relieved that there was no awkwardness between them after Adam’s revelation. After a bit, Christopher looked at his watch. ‘It’s suddenly getting a bit parky out here, don’t you think? The sun’s been so hot one forgets it’s only May and this is the north of Scotland. Shall we go and grab a cup of tea before the five o’clock session begins?’