‘Everyone deserves a bit of fun! And I just like the sound of him!’ Sharon had said on a quick FaceTime. ‘All I’m saying is, don’t cut your nose off to spite your face. I love that he’s making you appreciate more about where you’re from, and showing you all this stuff you can enjoy that you can’t get in London.’

‘Me too,’ Penny had agreed. ‘He’s certainly been … unexpected.’

‘Exactly. You can pick up the phone on his return without pining for him in his absence.’

That had made Penny grin widely. ‘I wonder if this is the kind of advice you’ll give Mia.’

Sharon looked very serious. ‘You bet your ass it will be!’ she replied. ‘I don’t want her staying home waiting for the phone to ring. My girl is gonna be a go-getter! Exactly like her Auntie Penny.’

‘Hey,’ Penny said, as she headed back from Thomas’s house to the pub for service. Francesco’s face was on her screen. ‘How are you today?’

‘I’ve done something,’ Francesco replied.

‘Okay …’ said Penny, wandering down the back lane that connected to the high street, her big winter coat protecting her from the day’s frost.

‘I’ve quit my job.’

Penny’s mouth fell open. ‘You quit? Is that because you got the job you applied for?’

‘Not exactly …’

‘You quit without another job to go to?’

‘I did!’

‘Oh, damn. That’s … ballsy. I know you’ve wanted to leave for a while, so I guess I say congratulations?’ She passed the butcher’s and lifted a hand to wave in. She was enthusiastically greeted in return.

‘Yes, you say congratulations!’ Francesco screamed. ‘I’m free!’

Penny giggled. ‘But what happened?’ She passed by two of her regulars and said hello to them, too.

‘Life happened, that’s what,’ Francesco said. ‘I just couldn’t do it anymore. Ever since we started talking again I was just reminded how you live properly. You’re so positive and sure of what you want. And it makes me want to be more like that. I don’t just want to exist, you know? And Anthony Farrah, the way he runs that kitchen … it’s not right. The whole atmosphere is full of fear because of his ego. I couldn’t bear it even one second longer. Not even half a second longer. I was really bummed when I didn’t get that other pastry chef job, but I figure it won’t be long before I do find something. I’ve got some savings. I’ll be fine. So I did it! Urgh, I feel GREAT.’

He sounded almost manic.

Penny saw Priyesh, the wine merchant, drive past in his Land Rover, and nodded her head in greeting. Hot, was the word that slipped to the front of her mind, before she could remedy her faulty thinking. Boring, she corrected herself. ‘What’s the notice period?’