‘I thought I had my life all under control, but looking back now, I can see I was a total mess. I was working literally every hour in the day. I was existing on energy drinks and scotch from bottles that cost more than my car that we used to impress clients and celebrate good deals. We had a lot of international clients and conference calls and Skype meetings had to be done on their time, so I was often in the office until three or four in the morning. I had the most incredible flat in Canary Wharf and I barely saw it. I’d get in and pass out facedown on the bed, come round a couple of hours later, take off yesterday’s clothes and have a cold shower to wake myself up. Then I’d throw a couple of energy drinks down my throat and start all over again. The only thing I ate was maybe a salad if we had a meeting when a salad cart came round. I was a really horrible person. I was angry all the time, I yelled at people who didn’t deserve it, I was grouchy, skinny, drunk, and so constantly exhausted that I couldn’t think straight. No one in London ever saw me smile.’

I can’t imagine him like that. He seems so strong, solid, and dependable. He’s good-natured and fun to be around even when he’s being grumpy. ‘What made you come back?’

‘Mum had a fall and needed help with the farm. She called me at work, and I was having a really bad day. I was in such a flap that I seriously thought the stress was going to kill me, and she said she’d fallen out in the fields and broken her hip and ankle. Evergreene had found her and got her to hospital, and was sending his workers over because she couldn’t do the physical farm work while she recuperated. It hit me like a ton of bricks. I couldn’t work out what the hell I was doing there, playing with money for people who clearly didn’t need any more of it, and hating every second. I suddenly realised my mum was old, alone, and in need of help, and I hadn’t been home in over ten years.’

‘Is this where the girl you brought back comes in?’

He lets out a laugh. ‘I’m glad to see Fergus and Fiona don’t gossip about me at every chance they get.’

I can’t help giggling too. ‘They may have mentioned it. Once or twice.’