‘Yeah,’ he said, trying to sound more in control than he probably felt. ‘I’m okay, just a bit overwhelmed by the thought of being solely responsible for Bruce, that’s all.’

‘Don’t you worry about that,’ said Hope stoically. ‘I’ll have him to heel in no time.’

Hope had now moved permanently to Home Farm and I knew the pair were looking forward to having the place to themselves, aside from Bruce of course. The mad mutt hadn’t completely switched allegiance from me to Hope, but I was happy to leave her in charge.

‘I don’t doubt it,’ Joe laughed, kissing her on the lips. ‘You’ve already worked wonders.’

Hope was loving life on the farm and had wasted no time at all in helping convince Charlie that Joe’s potential diversification project ideas were all good ones. Joe was keen to carry on the environmental work his father had started and he had also offered Hope the use of the currently empty stable block which she could convert for her business if she wanted to.

I knew she was extremely excited about the idea, but didn’t want to rush too far ahead. Her re-kindled relationship with Joe was still getting off the ground and she didn’t want to put it under any pressure.

‘Did we miss him?’ said a breathless voice behind us.

It was Sophie and Dad. They were both clearly out of puff and I didn’t want to consider why. The look on Hope’s face told me she was thinking the same thing.

‘Just gone,’ said Sam. ‘You two look a bit flushed, did you jog here?’

Sophie looked embarrassed but the smile on Dad’s face was reminder enough that the pair were extremely happy together. Dad was currently living at Sophie’s now Hope had moved out and was thoroughly loving life by the sea. He’d even been spotted waiting tables in the café, which was something I would have to witness with my own eyes before I believed it.

‘I’ve had a call from the estate agent,’ he said to me, opting not to answer Sam’s question. ‘It’s good news.’

Both my apartment and the family home were up for sale and attracting a fair amount of attention. Joan and her husband were looking after both properties and Dad was insisting that the house was sold with them in situ. I wasn’t sure if that was going to be possible, but I knew he would still do right by them should they have to leave.

I had been negotiating the apartment sale myself, but as I couldn’t always get a phone signal, I had instructed the agent to talk to Dad as well.

‘They’ve had a full asking price offer on your place, Tess, and the house has had one come in at ten thousand under.’