The note made Anna smile, but also wonder. DM? Could that be Douglas McKean? Either way, she didn’t have any hazelnuts, but Anna had picked up a bag of whole blanched almonds with her shopping. And she hadn’t been able to resist the punnets of ruby red Scottish raspberries that had been in abundance at the supermarket, and so it was that Bren’s almond and raspberry shortbread joined the party.

‘Well,’ said Frank, later, laughing as he contemplated the array of plates and trays on their kitchen table, ‘we’re none of us going to starve, at any rate!’

‘You really didn’t have to go to all this trouble,’ fretted Pat. ‘You didn’t have to bring anything with you at all – we said.’

‘It wasn’t any trouble,’ Anna told them both. ‘I was really enjoying myself, which is why I went a bit overboard. I also wanted to apologize for not accepting your invitation sooner. I’m sorry. I think this week has been a bit overwhelming.’

‘You’re sorry?’ Frank asked. ‘Don’t be daft. We’re just glad you’re here. And would you look at all of this!’

‘Everything looks delicious,’ Pat agreed. ‘And so pretty – it’s like an art exhibit. Everything’s identical too! I can’t even fold a T-shirt the same way twice.’

Anna laughed, mainly at herself. ‘Old habits die hard. The place I worked before I came here counted tweezers and a spirit level as essential kitchen gadgets.’

‘You won’t find me complaining,’ Frank said, picking up a prawn on a lemongrass skewer and devouring it whole. ‘Mmph. That’s amazing.’

‘Frank!’ Pat smacked her husband’s arm in outrage. ‘You’ve left a hole, and no one else has even arrived yet!’

‘Sorry,’ Frank said, without a single trace of remorse. ‘Right, Anna. What can I get you to drink? We’ve got wine in all the colours, beer, gin and tonic… There’s even some orange juice if you’re so inclined, although as far as I know we’ve yet to have a teetotaller in the village.’

‘White would be perfect, thank you,’ Anna said, with another laugh. ‘I could do with a drink, to tell you the truth. I’m a bit nervous.’

‘Don’t you worry,’ Pat told her, as Frank turned away to the fridge. ‘Everyone we’ve invited is lovely.’

‘Do all of your friends live here permanently?’