Finch had begun the evening nervously. He kept looking for a gap in the conversation – which wasn’t easy, because Grace barely drew breath – where he could slip in his announcement about Romy. But gradually he relaxed and just enjoyed his stepdaughter’s company as he listened to all the things that had been happening in her life since they’d last properly caught up.

‘So how did the bathroom tiles work out?’

Grace pulled a face. ‘Hmm. Not our greatest success. Sort of shed-work standard? But it’ll have to do for now.’

‘You won’t notice after a while.’

Grace’s eyes sparkled in the candlelight as she eyed him with a sudden directness. ‘You seem in good form, Finch. Do I detect a bit of a glow about the cheeks?’

The perfect opportunity, plopping into his lap. Yet still he hesitated. Nell’s presence was very strong this evening, with her daughter back in residence, but he couldn’t let that put him off.

‘Well,’ he began, taking a steadying breath, ‘funny you should say that …’

Grace leant forward eagerly. ‘Go on.’

‘There is someone …’ This is so difficult, he thought. But Grace was staring expectantly at him. ‘I’ve seen her around the village for a while, but then I met her properly for the first time when I did that charity 10K in March … and over the last few months, well, things have got a bit more involved …’

Grace’s face was hard to read and he stopped, his worst fears coming to the fore.

She said, ‘“ More involved ”, as in …?’

Another deep breath. ‘Well … I like her a lot.’

‘Wow. OK. That sounds serious, then.’ Grace sat back in her chair. ‘Wow,’ she said again, almost in a whisper this time.

‘I knew this would come as a shock to you, Gracie. And I was in two minds whether to tell you or not. But I don’t want to be sneaking around behind your back.’

There was silence for a moment. Then his stepdaughter said emphatically, ‘No … Listen, I’m really fine with it.’ She gave him a wide grin. ‘To be honest, I’ve been waiting for you to meet someone for ages. Just before she died, Mum told me she hoped you would …’

‘She said that?’ Finch was incredibly pleased to hear this. ‘Well …’ He felt almost embarrassed under his stepdaughter’s approving stare.

Neither spoke for a moment.

‘We can’t go on living in her shadow for ever,’ Grace said softly.

‘No, but nor will I ever replace your mum, Gracie. You know that. What I have with Romy is a totally different thing.’

‘Romy? Is that her name? So tell me more about her.’ His stepdaughter’s voice had regained its usual bounce. She might be putting on a brave face, but at least they were over the first hurdle. Finch’s breathing came more easily as he settled in to tell her.