Marie, on the other hand, was perfectly relaxed, and looking forward to dinner with Ralph after a satisfying day. Tomorrow, she had an appointment with the supervisor of the larger of the two women’s refuges. She had provided the supervisor with the dates she was interested in, thanks to Avril, and the supervisor could easily check their records for the details of Nan’s time with them. An added bonus was that a woman who still worked there remembered Nan, so she’d hit on the right place.

Marie rifled through her wardrobe. How come every single item of clothing she possessed was either motorcycle gear or workwear? Maybe it was time to do a little shopping. Fine, but it didn’t solve tonight’s problem, did it?

They were going to a new restaurant that had opened in a pub just outside Saltern-le-Fen. According to Ralph, it had a tempting vegetarian menu, and he was delighted to have an opportunity to try it. Marie was delighted too, but it had nothing to do with the menu. When her husband died, her life had gone with him. Only by riding hard on her motorbike could she recapture some of the joy she had once known. Now she felt as though a breath of spring had stirred her dull existence, like a new leaf unfurling. She thought of Gary. Did he feel the same, now that he was possibly embarking on a new life with this woman? Neither of them had meant to turn into loners, life had just sent them down that path. Now they were both treading new ground.

She opted for a simple white silk T-shirt, black trousers and a smart black leather blazer that she was surprised she could still fit into, considering its age. She completed her hastily assembled outfit with a beautiful silver and jet necklace that her mother had given her for her twenty-first birthday.

Ralph had offered to pick her up, but mindful of their nocturnal rambler, she said she would meet him at the restaurant, so she could use her car if anything occurred.

It was probably for the best. After so long alone, it would be too easy to rush headlong into an affair that she might later regret. She told herself to take it slowly and enjoy the journey.

Ralph was getting out of his car when she drove into the car park. He waved, his pleasure at seeing her hard to miss. He kissed her lightly on the cheek. ‘So glad you made it. We’d better go in and eat, in case one of us gets a call.’

‘Lead on,’ she said happily. ‘I’m starving.’

Marie was mildly shocked when she saw the prices on the menu, but Ralph merely said, ‘Tonight is on me. Have whatever you want.’