‘I’d love some help if Nico can spare you. We have a bumper crop of visitors due on Monday. Quilting and weaving is a popular option, but that means keeping a close eye and it’s a stretch if there are visitors in the craft room, too.’

I look at her aghast. ‘Um, I will warn you that I’m not very hands-on in that department. I’ve never made a bracelet or decorated a wooden box, and I wouldn’t know where to start.’

‘Oh, bless you! There’s no right or wrong way when it comes to crafting.’ She laughs at my reaction. ‘I have a full range of PowerPoint presentations on my laptop. There’s a list of ten different activities, from making greeting cards to scrapbooking, and everything in between. You only need to talk to the visitors and find out what they’d like to do for each session. It’s all set up, you just press a button and sit with them in case there’s a problem and it stops working. I can show you where the different activity packs are kept and once the tutorial is over, you hand out the relevant one. Sometimes people will ask for additional items, so just make sure you’re on hand. It’s nice to join in, if you can, and have a go yourself.’

‘Oh, right. Well, that seems simple enough.’

‘I’ll pop in as often as I can, but I don’t think you’ll have any problems at all. It’s been difficult not having a craft tutor, but I don’t think Nico has had time to think about finding someone. So if you’re happy, I’ll talk to Nico. Thanks, Fern.’

That means Dee-Dee doesn’t know about Nico’s future plans for the craft room, then. I hadn’t realised it wasn’t general knowledge amongst the group and I’m glad I didn’t put my foot in it by saying something.

‘Great. Have you seen him around this morning?’ I finish my yoghurt and pop the spoon into the dishwasher.

‘Yes. He’s gone to the airport to pick someone up. I don’t think he’s going to be free today as he’ll be showing his guest around when they return. What are you planning to do?’

I lean back against the counter as I pick up one of the plums, choosing one that is the least green. ‘Well, I felt obliged to do some weeding, but now I can paint instead, which suits me just fine. I wouldn’t admit that within earshot of Ceana, of course, because she’s been wonderful. But I’m rather glad Anton is back.’