‘In that case, let me wrap a couple up for you,’ Dolly insisted, bustling through to her little kitchen. ‘One of each, in case you don’t have time to stop for dinner.’

He gratefully accepted the greaseproof package of a sweet and savoury scone and ducked back through the front door as a van pulled up outside.

‘Welcome back to Wynbridge, Hattie,’ he called to me before he disappeared. ‘I’ll see you tomorrow, Dolly.’

The van turned out to be delivering a parcel for Dolly, and a large one at that.

‘What on earth could this be?’ She frowned, looking at it suspiciously. ‘I haven’t ordered anything.’

It turned out to be a beautiful hamper from Fortnum & Mason packed full of delicious treats including tea, coffee, biscuits, chocolates and wine. It was all exquisitely packaged and stylishly presented, as you would expect.

‘There’s a note,’ I said to Dolly, handing her the card.

‘To dearest Dolly,’ she read aloud, ‘a little something for you and Hattie to enjoy after dinner. With much love, Jonathan.’

I looked from the hamper to her and back again.

‘Well now,’ she smiled, her cheeks finally gaining a little colour. ‘What a lovely thought.’

*

After poring over the hamper contents and devouring Dolly’s delicious but carb-packed afternoon tea, she showed me up to my room which somehow felt smaller than I remembered even though it wasn’t all that long ago that I’d stayed in it. The cream metal-framed bed took up much of the space but there was just enough room for a small wardrobe with drawers beneath, a dressing table and stool, a tiny bookcase and a pair of lamp-topped nightstands.

‘I know you love this room,’ said Dolly as she smoothed out the floral-patterned eiderdown and turned on the lamps, which cast a warm and welcoming glow. ‘And I hope you enjoy being back in it.’

‘I’m enjoying it already,’ I told her, with a warm smile.

I still felt bad for labelling the cottage as cramped, even though I had been grumpy, but then I supposed I had gotten used to having so much extra space at the flat I was bound to notice the difference. The wardrobes there were practically of walk-in proportions and the dining table could easily seat eight, not that we ever held dinner parties. Jonathan had always preferred to keep our time together for just the two of us.

‘Good,’ Dolly nodded. ‘I’m delighted to hear it and I’m delighted you’ve come. It’s a big day for Wynbridge tomorrow and it will be wonderful to have you with me to enjoy it.’

‘Ah yes,’ I said, ‘the switch-on, Beamish did mention it.’