‘You say that as though you don’t.’ Her voice was soft and there was no accusation in her tone.

Harry gave a shrug. ‘I wasn’t that close to my father,’ he said simply.

‘I’m sorry,’ said Steph.

‘Don’t be. I’m not.’ Harry was surprised at his candour. He didn’t usually speak to anyone about his relationship with his father, and here he was, swapping stories with a woman he barely knew. Make that a reporter he barely knew.

Harry pulled his zip up higher as they walked. The wind had picked up and the track they were taking was more open to the elements.

‘Looks like we might get wet,’ said Steph, looking up at a grey cloud above them.

‘There is a hide at the lake – we might be able to get there before it rains.’

‘That’s on the north side, isn’t it?’

‘You’ve been doing your homework.’

‘I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t check things out beforehand,’ said Steph.

‘You say you’re a feature writer,’ he said. ‘Have you done any other sort of reporting?’

‘Like what?’

‘Investigative journalism?’

She shook her head. ‘Nothing serious,’ she said. ‘I did move to Carlisle and take up a job with the local newspaper. In those days, I had high hopes of one day moving to London and working for someone like the BBC, but it never really happened. Anyway, I saw the job I’m doing now advertised and, on a whim, fuelled mainly by the thought of living by the sea, I applied and got the gig with Vacation Staycation based in Brighton. That’s where I met my friend, Ria, who frames and sells my pictures for me.’

He was surprised, but also impressed. ‘You must be pretty good at it.’

‘Thanks. I’m hoping she’s managed to sell a couple this month, as the money would come in very handy right now.’

‘I suppose the income can vary a lot each month.’

‘Yeah, it’s very unpredictable.’

‘I find that with the design work I do in France. Feast or famine.’

‘What exactly do you do out there?’

‘Graphic design mostly. Most of my customers are UK based, but because it’s all digital these days I can work anywhere I want.’

‘Have you always been interested in design?’

‘Very much so, especially when I was younger, but it wasn’t something I pursued as an adult.’

‘Why was that?’

Harry cast her a sideways look. ‘You ask a lot of questions.’

‘I’m interested, that’s all,’ she replied with a smile.