Flora was silent for a moment. She hadn’t given any thought to where Conner was living. ‘And he’s not?’

‘Logan gave him the barn.’

‘I thought it was let for the summer.’

‘It is. To Conner. When Logan thought he might be coming back, he kept it free for him. I suppose he knew Connor wouldn’t want to stay in his parents’ house.’ Evanna shrugged. ‘Who can blame him? I don’t suppose it has any nice memories for him. By all accounts, he had a pretty miserable childhood.’

‘Then why didn’t he sell it after his father died?’

‘He hasn’t been here to sell it. Perhaps he’ll deal with it this summer.’

‘Break his final tie with the island? Do you think that’s why he’s come back? To sell the house?’

‘I wouldn’t think so. He could have done that with one call to the island estate agent. Perhaps he’s laying old ghosts.’ Evanna gave a suggestive smile. ‘Or maybe he’s laying old girlfriends.’

‘Evanna!’ Struggling between shock and laughter, Flora sent a weak, apologetic smile towards the tourists eating lunch at the next table. ‘If you’re going to make obscene comments, lower your voice. We still have to work here after Conner’s gone.’

‘And life will be considerably more boring.’

‘Pregnancy has driven you mad.’

‘You might be right.’ Evanna shifted in her seat. ‘I can’t remember what it’s like not to be fat and exhausted.’

‘I think Conner is trying to shock them on purpose. I suspect he wants to provoke a reaction from them.’ Flora looked at her and smiled. ‘Do you want to know something funny?’

‘Not too funny.’ Evanna patted her enormous bump gently. ‘I have to be economical with laughter at the moment. Go on.’

‘Mrs Ellis saw him.’

‘As a patient? You’re joking.’

‘I’m not. I expected her to walk straight back out and call the police, but she was in there for ages and she came out smiling.’

‘So he even charmed her.’ Evanna sighed wistfully. ‘You see? It doesn’t matter how badly he behaves, women just can’t help themselves. It’s the danger, I suppose. The fact that he’s a bit volatile and unstable just adds to his appeal. If you had a date with Conner you never quite knew whether you were going to end up in bed or in a jail cell.’

Flora gasped. ‘What exactly do you know about dates with Conner? There is no way your parents would have allowed you anywhere near him.’

‘Didn’t stop me dreaming.’ Evanna sipped her tea. ‘I had fantasies, just like you.’

‘I did not have fantasies.’

‘Now you’re lying.’ Evanna grinned placidly. ‘Every woman dreams about the local bad boy.’

‘Conner is well educated.’

‘Which makes him all the more attractive,’ Evanna sighed.