He grinned, sliding the folder back into its drawer. ‘Everyone will think it’s more than OK. Sorry if you feel dragged in but don’t look to me to save you by saying I don’t want you involved.’ His eyes brimmed with laughter.

Glad to have an opportunity to be light-hearted after navigating tricky subjects earlier, she joked, ‘Aw, c’mon, don’t make me act like a villager.’ Then she halted mid-laugh as she turned and saw Mac framed by the doorway, the shoulders of his jacket glistening with rain. ‘Oh.’

He stopped short, glancing uncertainly between Grady and Laurel. ‘Sorry if I’m interrupting.’

‘I’m just leaving.’ Laurel checked the darkening afternoon outside, pulling up her hood ready to brave the weather.

But Mac stood his ground when she made to slip past. ‘Laurel, I’ve already called Rea but I should share the information with you. The police have given a warning to the lad who played that prank and won’t need to contact you.’ His tone was clipped, as if he was talking to her only because he must. He was probably not enjoying reviving the subject of his embarrassment.

‘You OK with that, Laurel?’ Grady asked swiftly, giving his brother a quick frown.

She nodded. ‘As long as Mac’s comfortable with people getting away with humiliating others.’ Then she managed to skirt around Mac and leave. Outside she took a deep breath, heart trotting. She half-regretted getting in another jibe but she harboured so much resentment towards Mac the words had popped out. Why the hell couldn’t he have left the village like Amie, so she didn’t have to deal with him?

Chatting with Grady had felt good. Then in walked Mac and spoiled it, just as he’d spoiled things for her with Grady before.

Grady shifted to watch through the open door as Laurel hurried away, the streetlights forming halos above her in the chilly afternoon. When she’d vanished from view, he turned to his brother. ‘She thawed a bit today.’ He wasn’t going to say anything about them unexpectedly finding common ground in the arena of infertility and ended relationships. Under the guise of brotherly teasing, he added, ‘At least, she thawed towards me. She vanished as soon as she laid eyes on you.’ He watched Mac’s reaction.

Mac hunched his shoulders. He looked tired and his eyes were surrounded by lines of strain. ‘She was your friend, not mine.’

‘Most people like me best,’ answered Grady, still teasing. Then he sobered. ‘Did you know Amie Blunt used to bully Laurel?’

Gaze sharpening, Mac looked at him. ‘What did Laurel tell you?’