Emma had to laugh, and she was relieved that the focus had shifted from her problems. The village did have its downsides occasionally, tittle-tattle being one of them, but most of the time it had been a blessing and huge support for her. She began to relax and enjoy the company.

They sat and chatted in the early evening sunshine, looking across the fields to the ruined remains of Dunstanburgh castle. The garden was mostly grass, with some pretty shrub borders, and some colourful pots of petunias beside them on the flagstones of the patio.

The Pimm’s jug was getting low. It seemed surprisingly strong, and Emma began to feel quite lightheaded, though she realised she hadn’t had a proper supper, just a quick slice of toast before she came out. Thank goodness for the crisps Jo had brought along.

‘This Pimm’s is gorgeous – what have you put in it?’ Em asked. ‘I can see the strawberries and the orange. Oh, and I can taste mint …’

‘And cucumber,’ Bev replied. ‘Oh, and there’s a splash of brandy too.’

Brandy, Em nearly spat out her drink. ‘I thought it was Pimm’s and lemonade? No wonder it’s started going to my head.’

‘Yeah, I’m feeling it a bit too,’ added Ali.

‘Well, when I read the back of bottle it said to add the “spirit” too.’

‘Well, the spirit was probably the Pimm’s.’

‘Oh, I thought it meant another spirit, whatever you fancied, and I thought brandy would go nicely with all the fruity flavours.’

The four of them chuckled.

‘Well, it is rather nice,’ said Ali.

‘Rocket fuel.’ Emma pulled a face. ‘Oh my.’ She might not be able to get up for work tomorrow at this rate.

‘Relax, you’ll be fine. It was only a dash.’ Bev winked across at Joanne.

‘I know your dashes,’ Emma replied. ‘I have vivid memories of that G & T session here a couple of years ago.’ In fact, they were not that vivid at all by the next day. But she had to smile, and the Pimm’s cocktail did taste rather lovely.

They began to dip in to the box of chocolates Emma had brought.

‘Wow, these are delicious, Em. You are so clever.’ Joanne said.

‘Just scrummy. What’s in this one?’ Ali asked.

‘Salted caramel. Always popular.’

‘Mmm, just melts in your mouth.’

‘These are my favourites.’ Bev spotted the white chocolate of the Eton Mess. ‘Bloody lovely.’ She popped one in whole, then she couldn’t speak for a second or two. She took a sip of Pimm’s. ‘You know what, why don’t you combine the two? Cocktail-flavoured truffles, bet they’d go down well.’

‘Well, the alcohol flavours always work well. My boozy truffles, I usually use rum, whisky, and brandy.’

‘You could do a mojito,’ Jo suggested.

‘Or an Irish coffee,’ added Ali.