‘Well, I’m still learning,’ Rhona told her. ‘I only took it up when I moved here. There was a workshop as part of the property, and I’d always wanted to give it a go, so I thought, “What the hell, Rhona, you’re not getting any younger – why not give it a try?” There have been so many things I put off for some nebulous time in the future when everything would miraculously fit together like some cosmic puzzle. And I decided, it’s now or never.’ She smiled at Anna. ‘You know how it is.’

Anna laughed into her wine glass. ‘I suppose I do. That’s pretty much how I ended up buying the Fishergirl’s Luck.’

‘It’s a bold thing to do,’ Terry said. ‘Not just buying somewhere so out of the way, but committing to live there, too. Especially in a place like Crovie. I admire you, Anna.’

Anna made a face. ‘Well, living here was the original plan, yes. But I pretty much decided on my first day that I can’t stay. For a holiday, maybe, but living here permanently? I really don’t think I can.’

The company gave a collective laugh that had a note of sympathy running through it.

‘I completely understand how you feel,’ said Glynn. ‘When David first brought me here I honestly couldn’t imagine coming back once, let alone to live. I couldn’t see how anyone lived here at all, or even why anyone would want to. But this place has a way of getting under your skin and staying there.’

‘Philip and I were the same,’ Marie agreed. ‘But we’ve owned our place here for twenty-five years now and sure, this coast can sometimes be difficult, but it’s beautiful. And so are the people.’

Maybe it was the wine – she’d knocked back a couple of glasses too quickly, driven by nerves – but at that moment, Anna felt a warm buzz growing in her chest.

‘If you don’t mind me asking though, Anna,’ said Terry, a moment later, as he held a plate of food in one hand and a beer glass in the other, ‘what about your career? I assume you left your job to come up here. If you’re not going to stay in Crovie, will they take you back? Or are you thinking of taking a different route entirely now?’

‘The honest answer is that I haven’t a clue,’ Anna told them, swirling her drink around her glass. ‘Originally, when I left London, I thought I was leaving cooking for a living behind, too.’

‘Oh, that would be a shame,’ said Susan. ‘You clearly have a huge talent. Everything here is delicious.’