‘I’m just thinking about Hope,’ I said. ‘She’s really thrown herself into setting up the beach clean initiative so she deserves it to be a success. If it takes off it could have a long-lasting impact on the landscape around here and even further afield.’

Sophie nodded in agreement.

‘That’s typical of my girl,’ she said proudly, ‘she always has to be doing something.’

She sounded a lot like me in that sense.

‘But you were the one who came up with the idea, weren’t you?’ Sophie reminded me.

‘Sort of,’ I said, ‘but it had been on Hope’s mind for ages. My mention of it just got her fired up. She’s the real brains behind it. She’s the one who has actually made it happen. Is she around, by the way?’ I asked. ‘I need to run something by her.’

‘She’s out the back. You can go through.’

I found her in Sophie’s office, surrounded by spreadsheets and notes.

‘All right?’ I asked. ‘I can come back later if I’m disturbing you.’

‘No,’ she said, ‘it’s fine. I was about to take a quick break.’

‘What are you doing?’

‘Working on my business plan,’ she said seriously. ‘Mum and I have decided to add cookies to the dessert part of the party menu, so I’m using it as an opportunity to work out costs as well as gauge reactions. It will be a great opportunity to find out what folk think.’

‘You’re going to be measuring yummy noises, you mean?’ I grinned.

‘Hopefully,’ she said, crossing her fingers.

I had no doubt her clever combinations would be a hit with everyone. I, for one, had eaten more than my fill of the coconut cookies during the last few days.

‘Well, you certainly look organized,’ I said, with a nod to the table.

‘I don’t think I’ve forgotten anything,’ she said, biting her lip. ‘Did you want to talk about the party?’

‘No,’ I said, ‘the boys.’

‘Oh, right,’ she said, wrinkling her nose because she knew exactly who I meant. ‘I’ll make us some iced tea and we’ll sit outside where no one can hear us.’

Her first words, once we were settled at a table, were proof enough of just how worried she was and I felt more determined than ever to bring the situation to a head.

‘Sam’s been like a bear with a sore head this week,’ she told me.

‘I know,’ I agreed. I had heard for myself just how het up he had been. ‘He practically bit poor George’s head off yesterday when Skipper upset his water bowl.’

‘Someone mentioned that,’ Hope said, biting her lip. ‘This is all Joe’s fault. He should never have come back.’