But nice as these clothes were, they were only meant to tide her over. Yes, I would love to shop. I might even visit Harrods . . . Ooh, how wonderful. And maybe, just maybe, I will look up Montel. I could go to an art gallery with him and he could teach me about all the paintings. Something deep inside Mags warmed at the thought of this.

With her mind made up by morning, Mags met David in the small snug where the inn served breakfast. What was put in front of her, as soon as she sat down, did indeed look delicious.

‘Morning, David. I’ve come to a decision. I’m not going to France.’

‘Oh?’

Between mouthfuls of the delicious cured bacon, Mags told an astonished but pleased David of her new plans, though she didn’t mention Montel.

‘That’s music to my ears, my dear. As it happens, I had made up my own mind to try and persuade you to spend a couple of days or more in London with me and let me take you to a theatre or two. I’m feeling too tired for just one night’s sleep when we arrive.’

‘I haven’t the clothes to go out in, only practical daywear, and I need to shop. So maybe dinner in the hotel, as I do have something suitable for that, and then I can shop tomorrow, and you can take me to the theatre tomorrow evening. And then I need some time on my own. I need to sort out my future. I need thinking time – well, healing time, just doing as I please.’

‘Yes, I understand. And I think you are right. Let the dust settle and begin to feel more like yourself. You are already looking better. Pink suits you.’

‘Thank you.’ Under David’s scrutiny, this was all Mags could manage. She hoped with all her heart that he wouldn’t speak of his feelings for her, although so far he had seemed keener on talking about Montel’s attraction to her, so maybe David was healing, too.

By the time David left London, having insisted that she keep Montel’s address in her purse in case she needed someone’s help while she was in the city, Mags was feeling so much more relaxed. She’d loved the League of Notions musical they had attended together, and particularly the beautiful and glamorous Dolly Sisters who’d starred in the show. But now it was nice to be on her own.

Checking her purse, she found that she still had five pounds left of the money David had drawn out for her. Her accommodation at the hotel was paid for, for two weeks, and David was dropping off a letter to her father’s solicitors that authorized them to pay the rest of her funds into a new account, which she had opened while shopping yesterday.

All was going so well, and she was getting stronger by the day. And she knew that she would be ready to make her way to Scotland, once the two weeks were up. Once there, she would book into an inn and see how everything was with the house that she owned. It had stood empty for a while, but should have been kept in good repair, if the instructions she had given her solicitors had been followed, and so it shouldn’t take long to get it ready for her to occupy. Whether Betsy and Bill would agree to come up and take care of her – Betsy to be housekeeper and Bill the gardener and handyman – she didn’t know; and that she was even thinking of such a job for Bill was down to the news from David, which had been so good to hear. Bill’s leg had all but mended, and there was every chance he would be able to walk normally and be free from pain.