Ava put her empty water bottle next to the sink and then turned and leaned back against the bench, looking warily at her grandmother. No wonder she didn’t tell her family everything that happened to her. ‘Did you want something, Mim?’

‘Just wondering how the trip went.’ Mim winked and Ava couldn’t be cross because she knew Mim missed having her around to tease. ‘A few hours in the car with that man would be no hardship.’

‘Grandmother. Behave.’ Ava raised her brows. ‘Or should I tell him you fancy him?’

‘If he were fifty years older, maybe. But –’ she shrugged magnanimously – ‘I’m happy if you fancy him.’

She certainly did. ‘He has to remember me first.’

Mim waved that away. ‘You could make him fall in love with you all over again, I’m sure.’

Ava wished she was that positive.

Mim cackled quietly. ‘Don’t suppose he has a grandfather or handsome older uncle he could recommend for me? Seeing as how you’re all finding fellas. Good genes, and good what’s in the jeans.’ Mim snorted.

‘Mother!’ Stella frowned in their direction as she stirred soup in a pot on the stove. Then she switched off the heat. ‘Stop chuckling like a madwoman. Have you seen Jock?’

‘Not since this morning.’

‘He knows I want him to check in or he’s to let us know he’s back safe. Or his wife could.’

‘He’ll be fine. You should go ring Hana to check. Or go for a walk and get rid of that glint in your eye. I’ve something I want to ask your daughter.’

‘Be civilised. We have a guest,’ Stella admonished and disappeared from view.

‘Well?’

‘Well what?’ Ava crossed her arms.

‘I’m not blind.’ Mim huffed in exasperation. ‘He looks like a lovely man.’ She lowered her voice. ‘I’m not a complete goose. I think you two have done it.’

Ava blushed and Mim, noting it, rubbed her hands. ‘I thought so,’ she said, nodding vigorously. ‘How was he?’

‘Mum,’ Ava called out. ‘Can you help me, please!’

Mim frowned and glanced warily at the empty doorway. ‘She’s gone. You didn’t have to do that. I’m just teasing.’

‘Mum has ears like a bat and you know it.’

Mim screwed up her face. ‘Well, I’ve been hinting you should get a life apart from commitment to work, and he seems perfect for the job. He can’t take his eyes off you.’

‘He’s trying to remember who I am.’ Ava rolled her eyes and pushed off the sink. ‘And anyway, we’ve been here all of two minutes – you can’t tell that. You said I should take up travelling, buy clothes, remember? Are you changing your mind?’