‘I’m not sure.’ Laurel tried to smile but it felt stiff and unnatural. Fliss had always been her friend. Fliss and Alex had only known each other through her so why had they kept in touch? Just to judge Laurel and find her decisions wanting? Fliss had helped Alex ambush her and Laurel felt hurt and angry.

Terri paused, a piece of flapjack in her hand. ‘You’ve got a girlfriend, have you?’ she asked Fliss.

Fliss smiled. ‘Sure. We got together a few weeks ago.’ The edge of resignation to her tone said, Are we going to have a problem because I’m gay?

Laurel certainly hoped not because there was enough tension being generated by the two silent men at the table.

But Terri just smiled back. ‘I like to hear of people being happy.’

‘I sure am. Thank you.’ Fliss’s smile relaxed.

Then out of the bustle and noise around them emerged yet another source of tension – Tonya. Her hair was turquoise now, a change since she’d called at The Nookery and put Laurel on the spot. Grady had already warned Laurel that Mac had smoothed things over with Tonya by telling her a half-truth about why he’d written to apologise and Laurel’s stomach twisted at the thought that Tonya might be here to check out Laurel’s version. Happily, although she gave a half-smile to the table at large, her gaze lingering for an instant on Laurel, she then focused on her brother-in-law. ‘There’s a woman at your stall who might want to stock your stuff at her shop in Peterborough.’

‘Thanks, I’ll come.’ Grady rose, picking up his barely touched sandwiches and coffee, but he hesitated, glancing first at Laurel and then at Tonya.

Laurel flushed, realising his quandary. He didn’t want to suggest she bring her lunch back to the stall with Mac there. Poor Grady was stuck in the middle. So was Tonya, really, though she had the added disadvantage of not knowing exactly what she was in the middle of. As none of this mess was the fault of either one of them, Laurel dredged up a smile. ‘No problem. I’ll catch up with you later.’

Grady headed off with Tonya.

When Laurel turned back from watching them go, she was met by twin, round-eyed stares from Fliss and Alex. Fresh annoyance prickled down her spine.

Clearly unaware of what was causing tension but realising her niece was upset, Terri put her hand over Laurel’s. ‘Are you OK, duck?’

But before Laurel could reply a rotund, rosy woman arrived crowing, ‘Terri! What are you doing here? How lovely to see you! Lizzie’s here, look. Come over for a minute.’

After Laurel had given a smile and nod to show she was fine, Terri, explaining that Lizzie was an old friend, allowed herself to be dragged away.