‘It’s Valentine’s! Of course I’m up late – there are chocolates to eat and champagne to sip! Oh no, wait a minute, that’s just my fantasy life; I’m up because Glynn has diarrhoea and I’ve had to change several leaky nappies. Welcome to my world in all its glamour!’

Merrin laughed. ‘Poor little thing.’

‘Me or the babby?’

‘Both.’

‘I wanted to see if you were okay, after the whole Digby episode. I can’t believe he just turned up like that.’

‘Me neither. I spoke to him,’ she whispered, looking around, checking she was alone.

‘What? How? Where? Oh, my God! What happened?’ All traces of fatigue had gone from her tone and Bella now sounded wide awake.

‘I came out of the cupboard and he was just there in the corridor, alone.’

‘Fuck! Did he try it on?’

‘What? God, no, of course not!’ she tutted. ‘What do you think we are, fifteen?’

‘In my head, yes.’

‘No, it was nothing like that, Bells, it was . . .’ She took her time, picking her way along the path, lit only by the uplights that the gardeners had artfully placed to highlight the magnificent trees. ‘It was strange and surreal. I need to think about it more to see how it’s left me, but right now? It feels like it’s over, done. I don’t have to fear bumping into him, do I? And that’s huge.’

‘What does that mean, it’s over, done? Weren’t you done a long time ago?’

‘Yes, of course. I don’t know, I guess it was a chance to . . . to say goodbye.’ A lump rose in her throat at this truth.

‘That’s sad.’

‘Is it? A bit, I guess. I think it’s closure and, whether I’ve admitted it to myself or not, a chance for me to let it go – properly put it behind me and start my next chapter.’ Her mouth twitched into a small smile. ‘Yes, my next chapter.’

‘I’m happy for you and I’m proud of you, but you know that, right?’

‘I do.’

As Merrin rounded the bend in the path she saw the French window of her and Miguel’s room and it seemed to be glowing. A fire? Her heart leapt at the prospect. It was only as she picked up pace and got closer that she realised the light came from candles, lots of candles, which were burning brightly. She felt conflicted: irritated that he had gone full Valentine, yet happy that she was not alone, pleased she had someone waiting for her, someone who cared enough to do this. Especially as Digby and his lovely wife and kids were at that very moment enjoying a luxury suite in this hotel.

‘Gotta go, Bells.’