‘When your sister, Hannah, was here, she asked me if you were having an affair with Nico.’

My mouth goes dry and I have to swallow hard to force out some words.

‘Why would she think that?’ I wonder, letting out a low groan of disappointment.

Kellie shrugs her shoulders, uncomfortably. ‘Because you two are close and he’s your mentor; that’s rather special. We all know it’s a working relationship, but Hannah was… shocked – maybe surprised is a better word. It was in confidence, Fern, but if I were in your shoes, I’d want to know so I could set my sister straight.’ The way she looks at me, I wonder if it’s a question Kellie is posing, too.

‘I really appreciate that, Kellie, and of course I will do that in a way where she won’t realise we’ve spoken about it. I’m horrified she thinks that, though, and it’s not fair on Nico, either.’

She nods. ‘I guessed as much. But I owe you, Fern, and Hannah is stressing over it.’

I flounder for something to say to change the subject to ease the air of tension. ‘How’s Patricia?’

‘Darn it. I still haven’t told you! Doh – I keep forgetting, my head’s so full of stuff at the moment. She’s going to be popping in to say hello. She’ll be on her way to a holiday cottage her and her husband own, about twenty kilometres further south, I think.’

‘When?’ I ask, excitedly. ‘It will be so good to see her again.’

‘The twenty-third of December, but I’m waiting on Patricia to confirm that date. She wanted to surprise you, but I didn’t want you making plans and missing her visit as it’s a Sunday.’

‘You two are very special to me. You arrived on my first official day here as a volunteer.’

Kellie grimaces. ‘You were thrown in at the deep end, then.’

‘And look how far we’ve come. Anyway, let’s head back and get warm. I can’t actually feel my toes!’ I exclaim.

‘Me, neither. I think this calls for Margot’s special hot chocolate.’

‘Definitely.’

‘Hello?’

‘Fern, it’s me. Just a quick call, I needed to hear your voice, that’s all. Nothing’s wrong.’

I hear Aiden’s words, but I don’t believe him. His general demeanour is odd, so I know something has happened but not why he won’t share it with me.

‘Oh. Right. That’s unusual for you, darling.’

Why ring if he doesn’t want to discuss whatever is unsettling him? I can’t help feeling a little cross; we’ve always shared everything.

I can sense that he’s already regretting making the call and my stomach begins to churn. He says nothing, just sits there not even looking at me but fiddling with some papers next to his laptop.