‘I have actually,’ he admitted, and added ruefully, ‘but I started it before I came here and, post Catherine, the faults leap off the page at me.’ He laughed. ‘Now I keep asking myself what she would say to this and that – and whole chunks get deleted immediately!’ He looked at his watch. ‘It’s a bit late to try her now, but I must ring her first thing tomorrow and tell her my good news.’

His eyes went to Marnie, who was sitting on the sofa, and they exchanged a long look. A fresh start, thought Christopher; a new career and a new relationship. Possibilities hung between them.

After the others had gone over to the Old Steading, and Giles had gone off to look out some fishing tackle for the morning, Isobel and Louisa stood on the steps of the house while Isobel let the dogs out for a final run.

‘That was a lovely suggestion you made to Marnie,’ she said.

Louisa laughed. ‘Oh well, at least I’ve got something right for a change then.’ Her tone was light-hearted, but Isobel thought she looked unhappy. ‘Have you had any more news of Rory?’

Isobel sighed. ‘No. I rang after we got back, but Lorna wasn’t there so I had to leave a message – yet again – asking her to ring me. I don’t know whether to think no news is good news or not. I keep wondering how he is and I can’t get him out of my head. Let’s not talk about it now or I might cry. What are you going to do next, Louisa? Where are you moving on to? Why don’t you stay on as our guest for a few more days – for as long as you like, actually? We’d love to have you. You could be a free agent, do your own thing – give yourself a bit more space, with no pressure to contemplate the next step.’

‘Oh, Izzy – you are lovely. As if you hadn’t got enough going on in your life at the moment! Bless you, but no. I’ve decided to go home for a few days. It’s ages since I had time with Ma and Pa completely on my own. They’ve both noticeably aged lately and I feel they might like that. Then the following week I have to be in London anyway for a long-standing appointment, and I need to make up my mind what to do about the flat. Adam very decently moved out when we split up and I have to think whether to buy him out, keep the flat on and look for a lodger, or sell it jointly with Adam and start afresh somewhere. I suppose I might even start looking for another job.’