“I had a bad breakup.”

“How bad?”

“Well, it ended in divorce, so pretty bad—he cheated.” She blushed. Why was she telling a stranger all this? “I needed to get away from everything—by which I mean my life—so I took this job. And somehow Kathleen managed to get me talking, because that’s the kind of person she is, and I told her the truth, and she came up with this ridiculous plan to—”

“To?”

“Match me up with someone to help me get my confidence back. And I know how ridiculous that sounds. I’ve been telling her the same thing.”

“You mean a rebound relationship?”

Martha ground her teeth. “Believe me, it was not my idea.”

“I was the chosen one?”

She should have let him leave. “She thought you had potential. Are you laughing? Because there is nothing funny about this.”

He pulled off his sunglasses and rubbed the bridge of his nose. “So that’s why you didn’t say a word to me on the journey yesterday?”

“I was mad with her. And frustrated. And embarrassed in case you worked it out. And also a little nervous because back then I didn’t know that you were a really decent guy who could find a doctor, and food, and produce a good bottle of wine—that was lifesaving by the way—and be generally fantastic. I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t—I mean, I wouldn’t have caught her the way you did. She would have banged her head. Injured herself.”

“That’s a lot of feelings for one small person.” Smiling, he reached out and squeezed her shoulder. “She’s going to be fine. You heard the doctor—heat, travel, dehydration, jet lag—it all adds up, particularly in someone of her age.”

“I was scared. And you were wonderful. I didn’t have a chance to thank you properly last night, so I’m thanking you now.” She was conscious that his hand was still on her shoulder, warm and strong.

“You’re welcome. I’m glad she’s feeling better, and I hope the rest of your trip goes well.”