‘I have the spare house key. There’s no need for you to wait up and watch me in.’ She snatches a glance at Jack. ‘You trust Jack to see me home, don’t you?’

‘Of course I do, but …’

‘Then midnight, just for once, shouldn’t be an issue, Dad. I’m not keeping you up. Jack will see me in, won’t you, Jack? And I promise I’ll be up for milking.’

Jack is unable to resist the pleading look she throws him. ‘She’s right, Jim. She’ll be quite safe with me. I won’t let anything happen to her – you have my word on that. And I’ll be up in the morning – you have my word on that too.’

‘Well …’ The farmer’s protests falter in the face of their joint appeal. ‘All right then,’ he concedes with a huff. ‘But make sure you leave at midnight sharp – not sometime after. And I’d better see you both bright and early in the morning.’

‘You will!’ Gwen kisses his cheek.

Jack follows her down the path to the car. She is clearly excited and Jack dares to wonder whether he plays a part in that, but he quickly stamps down on the foolish fantasy. It matters little. His time here is limited, his presence is temporary.

He pushes the sour thought from his mind. He will make the most of what time he has. He opens the passenger door for her and she gently mocks his chivalry as she drops into her seat.

They barely exchange a word as he drives to the next village. The summer evening is bright. Gwen cracks the car window and the warm air that rushes in carries with it the sweet scent of freshly cut grass. She tucks buffeted strands of hair behind her ears. Jack’s eyes slide surreptitiously towards her. He has never seen her look so beautiful.

The village hall car park is already packed with vehicles by the time they arrive and bicycles stand propped against its boundary fence. The large windows glow with yellow light and, as Jack parks up, music flows through the hall’s open doors. Gwen’s eyes burn bright.

He gets out first intending to open her car door, but Gwen is clearly impatient and eager and unable to wait and throws her door wide while he is still feet away, bringing him to a halt. He is burdened by a profound disappointment, as if she has stolen an opportunity from him, robbed him of a moment of intimacy. Oblivious, she beams as she smooths down her skirt and any disappointment he has melts away – the simple reward of being in her company is enough. He closes the door as she steps away from the car.