Mrs Parker put her weight on her leg. ‘It’s perfect, as usual.’ Her voice calm, she picked up her handbag. ‘You’re not the only one who can love, you know. And if love is wanting someone else’s happiness, maybe Lexi should be thinking of yours. Maybe you should give her the chance to worry about you for a change. I want you to think about that.’

‘Mrs Parker—’

‘Just think about it. I’d hate to see you turning your back on something special. I’ll send the next person in, shall I? Don’t forget to drop in for tea when you’re passing.’ With a quiet smile, the dragon of Glenmore opened the door. ‘I happen to know that Rev King has a date free in December. I always think a winter wedding is romantic. And I expect an invitation. I have a particularly nice coat that I haven’t had reason to wear for at least two decades.’

* * *

‘He rolled in a pile of something gross and now he stinks—Mum, are you listening to me? Basically, the dog is rank.’ A frown on her face, Lexi helped herself to crisps from the cupboard and waved them under her mother’s nose. ‘Junk food alert! Time to nag!’

Her mind miles away, Jenna stared out of the window, trying to find the right way to say what needed to be said.

‘On my fourth packet—’ Lexi rustled the bag of crisps dramatically. ‘Might add some more salt to them just to make them extra yummy—’

‘Lexi…’ Her strained voice caught her daughter’s attention.

‘What? What’s wrong?’

‘I—there’s something I need to talk to you about. Something very adult.’

‘Is it about the fact you’re having sex with Ryan? Because honestly, Mum—’ Lexi stuck her hand in the crisp packet ‘—I don’t want to know the details. I mean, I love you, and I love that we talk about stuff, but I don’t want to talk about that. It would feel too weird.’

Stunned, Jenna felt her face turn scarlet. ‘You—I—’

‘Don’t get me wrong. I’m basically cool with it, Mum. I’m pleased for you.’ Grinning, Lexi nibbled a crisp. ‘It’s nice for someone of your age to have some excitement.’

Jenna moved her lips but no sound came out.

Lexi squinted out of the window. ‘Better pull it together fast, Mum, lover-boy is strolling up the path. I’ll go and let him in, shall I?’ She sauntered towards the door, crisps in her hand. ‘Hi, Ryan. I’m glad you’re here, because Mum so needs a doctor. She’s acting weird. I’ve waved, like, five packets of crisps under her nose and she hasn’t even reacted. Normally she’d be freaking out and going on about too much salt, too much fat. Today—nothing. What’s the matter with her?’