Would she even recognise him? But as she thought about that, already an image was forming in her mind. His face, his eyes, which were warm and intense, the stubbly beard. His smile. Oh, she’d know him.

Off she strolled down the main street, ducking her head into the village stores as she passed, giving a quick wave to Sheila behind the counter there, then on for a quick check of the harbour area. She spotted Beth, from the cottage just along from The Chocolate Shop, who was out with her new baby. Emma said ‘hello’ and couldn’t resist a quick peek in the pram, gently touching a tiny week-old hand. She felt herself melt just a little. All those dreams that were so out of reach. ‘She’s so adorable, Beth. Just beautiful.’

Should she carry on with her mission, or was she just being silly and clutching at straws? Should she call in to the pub? But there was no vehicle like his in The Fisherman's Arms car park. She felt the beach might be her best bet, and at least Alfie could have a run off the lead there. She strode across to the start of the dunes, heading for the beachside car park where they had kissed all those months ago, thinking all the while: you crazy bloody woman. It might not even be him. And why would he go and walk on the beach to find her – it wasn’t as though she was permanently down there.

The beach car park was empty. She wandered down one of the sandy trails that led through the dunes, coming out on to the wide stretch of crescent-shaped bay and scanning it. There was a middle-aged couple out rambling, and a lady walking her terrier. No one tall or well-built. No one that looked anything like Mr Kiss.

What an idiot! Acting like a bloody teenager at thirty-six. She let Alfie have a little play by the shoreline, then had to pick up his dog poo with one of the black scoop bags that were always amassed in her coat pockets. Hah, the guy was bound to turn up now, just as she was shovelling shit. But still nothing, nada. She scanned the beach one last time and felt her stupid little heart sink a little.

It had been worth a try, if only to satisfy her curiosity. But, it wasn’t to be – probably wasn’t even him at all, to be fair. Just some older, not-bad-looking guy.

She looked out across the sea, to the sky, her mind lost in the clouds for a moment. What the hell would Luke think if he could see her like this? What had she been thinking?

‘Come on, Alfie. Time to go, boy.’

She’d better get back, back to The Chocolate Shop where she knew what was what and where she was meant to be.

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