‘All right?’ he called back with his nerves jangling. Hoping he didn’t blush or stare, he walked in a deliberate fashion towards the duo, who whispered in the way they always did, like witches plotting. He smiled, reminded in that moment of what it had been like to see the two of them with Merrin; the village was poorer for the loss of the atmosphere the trio had created. The last time he had seen them all together, Merrin had looked destroyed, lost, and Ruby had been distracted, prowling and incensed by the Mortimers’ treatment of her sister. Not that he blamed her; that was what you did: stood by those you loved. His admiration for Ruby had in fact grown because of how fiercely she loved and protected her family. It was still beyond him how a bloke like Digby the dickhead could throw away a woman like Merrin. But as his mother liked to remind him, ‘Love can be fickle and your feelings for the object of your desire can turn on a sixpence into something a lot like loathing . . .’

He’d have to take her word for it. Walking towards the wall, he watched the two women, who, with furrowed brows, were once again deep in conversation. Maybe they had heard about old Guthrie Mortimer. As he approached, the sun punched a hole in the clouds and peeped its head through, showering light that lit the whole cove. He slowed and felt his heart give a little rhumba, recognising the feeling in his veins as one of longing. And all at no more than the sight of this girl . . . This girl, with the bright smile and her thick, long hair resting over her shoulder, was something else. Ruby, who had been under his nose his whole life, who had been by his side since they were kids and who had punched him in the mouth when he had dared laugh at her wonky haircut.

‘Glad you’re here, Jarv.’ She smiled and her words warmed him. ‘Gran’s been taken ill.’

‘Ellen? Oh no, she all right?’

‘Not really.’ Ruby ran her fingers across her forehead, suggesting a headache might be lurking there. ‘She’s been taken to Truro Hospital; she’s proper poorly.’

‘Is there anything I can do?’ He folded the paper under his arm and reached for his van keys.

Ruby shook her head and Bella squeezed her hand.

‘Don’t think so.’ She gave a grateful smile.

‘Did they say what it might be or if it was serious?’

Ruby held his gaze, her eyes teary. ‘She had a water infection and they thought she might just need antibiotics. Anyway, Dr Levington came out and she was very confused and had a high temperature and they’ve taken her in, more as a precaution, I think. Mum and Dad have gone with her. I’m just about to call Merrin and tell her.’