‘You’d think so, but maybe there’s too much choice? There’s the pub, the restaurants up at Starcross Manor, and the teashop… or maybe people think The Lakehouse is way too posh for them, or it’s a place to come just for special occasions. You never know what anyone is thinking.’

‘You might be right, and talking of the pub, Julia has invited us for Sunday lunch, if you fancy it? It’ll be a great way to meet the locals.’

Ella hesitated.

‘Look, you have to eat. Please don’t worry about paying your way at the minute. You’ll be back up on your feet soon enough. And I’ll let you into a little secret: most evenings Hamish leaves bags of vegetables and bread on the doorstep, free of charge.’

‘Everyone really does look out for each other here, don’t they?’

‘Absolutely they do, and you are one of us now.’

Ella was grateful, Callie’s words really warmed her heart. ‘That means a lot, thank you.’

This was exactly what Ella needed, to be part of a community that looked out for each other. She was looking forward to seeing Julia again, and it was going to be great to meet a whole bunch of new people and immerse herself in village life.

‘What do you know about Roman?’ asked Ella.

‘What do you want to know about Roman?’

‘Come on, spill the beans.’

‘Roman Docherty, handsome sailor, great smile, good sense of humour, but keeps his personal life very much private and lives over in the town. But recently he’s been late for work on a few occasions – car trouble, apparently.’

‘Single?’

‘I’ve never heard him talk about anyone. He’s an all-round friendly guy.’ Callie watched the slight smile hitch on Ella’s face before glancing over her shoulder and watching the staff hovering at the back of the restaurant with not much to do. ‘Hopefully when the TV news report airs, that will generate more business,’ said Callie, changing the subject whilst thinking out loud.

The waiter wandered back over to the table and asked if there was anything else he could get them as their cocktail glasses were empty. Callie looked towards Ella. ‘The boat has only just left, we have time to kill.’ But before they made a decision Callie heard her phone ringing.

Quickly rummaging inside her bag, she looked at the screen. ‘It’s Hamish, I wonder what he wants?’ she said, immediately taking the call.

Ella watched as Callie’s smile disappeared from her face and she concentrated on what Hamish was saying.

‘Callie, what’s up?’ Ella whispered. She waited patiently for Callie to hang up the call but could quite clearly see that something was wrong.

‘It’s Dolores.’ Callie was still staring at the phone, placing it on the table before meeting Ella’s gaze.

‘What’s happened?’ asked Ella, not liking the sound of that.