‘Pat says Crovie gets a lot busier in season. I think it’s worth a try. If it doesn’t work, at least it wouldn’t use up too much of my savings. And it’ll give me a way to develop more of my own recipes.’

‘How many courses?’

‘Three, I think. A simple starter, a main and a dessert. I’d try to source local produce as much as possible, keep things seasonal, that kind of thing. It’d be great to see what comes in on the boat each morning.’

‘That’d make the most of your tame fisherman, too, eh?’

Anna laughed. ‘I suppose it would.’

‘Speaking of which,’ Cathy went on, ‘tell me again how he turned up with the perfect gift on what was only your second meeting and then asked for a date?’

‘Stop it,’ Anna scolded. ‘I told you, he’s the local flirt. Besides, he’s far too young for me, even if he were genuinely interested, which he absolutely isn’t. And even if he were, I wouldn’t be. All right?

‘All right,’ said Cathy. ‘We’ll revisit this at another time.’

‘No, we won’t.’

‘I guarantee we will,’ Cathy said, merrily. ‘As for the other thing, it sounds like a fine idea to me. Have at it. Want me to do you a poster?’

‘It’s a bit early for that,’ said Anna. ‘Although I won’t lie and say that the thought hadn’t crossed my mind…’

Cathy laughed. ‘Of course I’ll do one. Drop me an email with whatever you want on it – when you know – and I’ll get to work. I can already see it, actually. It’ll have to be hand lettering all the way for “Lunch at the Fishergirl’s Luck”.’

‘I knew being mates with the best graphic designer south of the Watford Gap would come in useful one day.’

‘Flattery will get you everywhere. So what’s on the agenda for the rest of the evening?’

Anna listened to the weather outside and pulled the blanket more firmly around her. ‘Oh, I don’t think I’m going anywhere apart from to the kitchen for more tea. And maybe a chocolate biscuit. I’m sitting here going through recipe books I haven’t looked at in years. Making notes, jotting down ideas. That sort of thing. I’ve been going through some of my mum’s old recipes, and I’d like to try to work in some of Bren’s recipes, too. I like the idea of making sure she’s part of it somehow.’

‘It really does sound as if you’re inspired,’ Cathy said. ‘I’m glad. Right, I’d better go. Love you. Email me.’