‘A couple of people already know,’ Anna said. ‘I can wait until you’ve gone to tell everyone else though, if you like.’

He looked out of the window. The sky was darkening again, a brusque wind buffeting the street. ‘I wouldn’t ask you to do that. They’re going to think what they think, whenever you tell them.’ Liam looked at her and smiled slightly. ‘Although if any of them can change your mind about coming with me…’

Anna shifted uncomfortably. ‘Liam…’

‘I know, I know.’ He tilted his head to one side. ‘It’s amazing, what’s been happening with the lunch club. Everyone’s talking about it. It seems to me that you could really be going places – but how’s that going to fit in with raising a baby on your own?’

Anna shrugged. ‘Women have done it before. I’ll work it out.’

He took a mouthful of his coffee. ‘Maybe I should come back and visit.’

She laid a hand on his arm. ‘Of course you should.’

‘I can tell you now that my mum’s going to want to come.’

Anna smiled. ‘That’s okay.’

‘And when the baby’s old enough, you can come and visit New Zealand, too.’

‘And in between, there’s the Internet. Right?’

Liam nodded.

‘I’m not going to pretend you’re not part of our baby’s life, Liam,’ Anna said. ‘We have to find a way to make it work for us, that’s all. The three of us.’

‘I wish I was going to be here longer, if only to make sure you look after yourself,’ Liam said. ‘What with all this restaurant stuff, I was already worried you were working too hard. And now – Anna, climbing down a cliff?’

She sipped her tea. ‘I couldn’t leave Robbie there on his own. I couldn’t. And everything’s fine, isn’t it? I’ll never do anything like that again. One daring rescue in a lifetime is enough. Don’t worry, Liam. Besides, once I tell Pat and Frank I suspect I’ll have two pairs of eyes watching out for me very closely.’