‘Oh,’ I said, glancing around the room again and this time noticing that things weren’t perhaps looking quite as perfect as they should. The sofa cushions definitely needed plumping and the shade on the table lamp was a little askew, ‘I see.’

Sophie followed my gaze.

‘Sam had an unexpected appointment this afternoon,’ she explained, ‘so he asked me to welcome you. It’s just the finishing touches to see to now, but I’m sorry it’s not been done yet. It’s been a bit of a rush for me to get around. Usually Sam would see to everything himself and in plenty of time.’

‘Well, it doesn’t matter,’ I told her. Slightly flat cushions and a wonky lampshade aside, it was still lovely. ‘It looks great to me, even prettier than I imagined it would be.’

Sophie looked relieved.

‘I’m Tess, by the way,’ I added. My excitement to have finally made it over the cottage threshold had momentarily robbed me of my manners and I had failed to introduce myself. ‘Tess Tyler. Though I’m guessing you know that already.’

Just for a moment Sophie’s smile faltered.

‘Tyler?’ She frowned.

‘That’s right.’

‘Well, it’s very nice to meet you, Tess,’ she said. ‘Welcome to Crow’s Nest Cottage.’

‘Thank you. I can’t tell you how pleased I am to be here.’

I was just about to go into how I had dreamed of coming back to Wynmouth for years, but a sudden rumble of thunder made us both jump and Sophie carried on the conversation before I did.

‘Sam was so pleased you could come at such short notice,’ she said as she quickly straightened the shade and flicked on the lamp and then turned on another next to the fire.

The room looked even cosier bathed in a peachy warm glow, but it was chilly. Certainly chilly for May, I realized as I gave an involuntary shudder. I’d only packed a couple of jumpers and one pair of jeans. Everything else I’d treated myself to on my speedy shopping trip was geared up for much warmer weather.

‘These old walls take a while to heat up in the summer,’ said Sophie, noticing my goosebumps. ‘And we haven’t had the sunniest of starts this year.’

I hoped there would be at least a few hot days to come. I didn’t much fancy getting to know the beach again under the protection of an umbrella. Not that I would be using one in a thunderstorm. Right on cue the lights flickered and another boom, closer this time, rolled overhead.

‘Thor is in a grump this afternoon,’ Sophie mused, looking out at the sky. ‘Why don’t I get these bags unpacked and the kettle on while you explore and then I’ll light the log burner. It will heat the hot water and radiators and warm the place up in no time.’