‘Well,’ I flushed, when I recalled he hadn’t actually mentioned Sam by name, ‘you told me you’d been to the pub and had been given a first-hand account.’

‘So?’

‘So, you let me think that it came from Sam, didn’t you? As far as I knew, he was the only person in the pub that late at night. I thought everyone else had left while we were clearing up. I had no idea that this Patrick guy, who works for you, was still there.’

‘But that’s not my fault,’ Joe pointed out, sounding annoyed. ‘I can’t be held responsible for what you thought I’d said, as opposed to what I’d actually said, can I?’

I didn’t answer. I suppose it did make more sense that he would stay and have a coffee in the pub once he’d realized Sam wasn’t there.

‘You were the one who jumped to conclusions, Tess,’ Joe carried on. ‘I only mentioned it because I was looking out for Hope.’

‘Right,’ I said, ‘I see.’

‘So, are we good?’

‘Yes,’ I said. ‘We’re good.’

I was embarrassed but also relieved that I had read the situation wrong. Joe hadn’t been trying to stir up trouble after all. I had just imagined he had.

‘I’m sorry,’ I told him, ‘and you needn’t worry about Hope because I’m not interested in Sam that way.’

‘You’re not?’

‘No,’ I lied, ‘and even if I was, I’d hardly do anything about it, would I? I’ve struck up a great friendship with Hope and I’d never go behind her back.’

‘Of course, you wouldn’t,’ he said, shaking his head, ‘and I’m sorry for inferring that you would.’

‘Okay.’

‘So, can we just forget about this then?’ he asked.

‘Well,’ I said, ‘we can try, but given that I went to the pub after you left and accused Sam of spreading gossip in front of a packed bar, that might be easier said than done.’

‘Oh no,’ said Joe, ‘you didn’t?’

‘I did,’ I said, wincing at the memory. ‘You know, things would be a whole lot easier around here if you two could leave the past in the past and at least try to get along. That way there wouldn’t be anything to misinterpret or get muddled up.’

I wasn’t trying to shift the blame for what I had done on to either him or Sam, but if they could just rub along, it would be a help to everyone.

‘You make it sound so easy,’ said Joe, biting his lip.

‘It could be,’ I began.

‘No,’ he stepped in, cutting me off, ‘it couldn’t and I’m sorry, Tess, but I really need to get on.’