What I needed was a completely clean break and I hoped that if I didn’t mention the kiss, or unguardedly throw him a lustful look, then Ned would soon work out that my post-tumble actions were purely the result of the emotional outpouring and the reaction of going backside over boobs. Therefore, launching straight into the spirit of the thing, before he and Bandit headed off, I sped the process along.

‘I’m pretty certain I didn’t hit my head in that tumble,’ I said, rubbing my slightly swollen cheek, ‘but I can’t remember much about what happened after it.’

Ned, framed in the bedroom doorway, looked concerned.

‘Well,’ he began, ‘you told me something…’

‘Oh,’ I said, glancing down at the duvet, ‘I remember that.’

‘Good,’ he said, burying his hands in his hoodie pocket. ‘I’m pleased about that, because I was hoping that talking it through might have helped. I really hope it’s helped you come to terms with a few things, Liza.’

Baring my soul and explaining the guilt I’d been carrying for the last four years had been every bit as cathartic as he had suggested it would be. That had been a total, but very pleasant, and potentially life-changing, surprise.

‘It did,’ I told him. ‘It has.’

‘Good.’

‘But after that,’ I said, looking back at him and purposefully sounding vague.

‘You can’t remember anything?’

‘No,’ I shrugged. ‘Nothing. I didn’t do anything embarrassing, did I?’

‘Of course not.’

Was it my imagination, or did he sound disappointed?

‘But I am sorry about how yesterday turned out,’ he carried on. ‘I had hoped it would be a great day. I wanted it to be really special.’

‘It was,’ I firmly said, determined to let him know that his efforts had been worth it. The day had marked a very real turning point and I would be forever grateful for that. ‘Aside from my stupid cross-country antics, it was absolutely perfect. A most fitting tribute to my dad and to everything Wynter’s Trees represents.’

It really had been a wonderful mix of family tradition, seasonal activity and nostalgia and even though the way it ended had been draining, the epiphany more than justified the injured ankle and subsequent outpouring.

‘That’s all right then,’ Ned smiled, his brow clearing. ‘That’s what I had been aiming for. Do you think you can manage to get downstairs on your own?’

‘Yes,’ I said, ‘I don’t think I’ll have a problem.’

He unhooked my dressing gown from the back of the door and laid it on the bed.

‘I’ll get on then,’ he said. ‘I need to pop to Wynmouth later. Do you want anything picking up while I’m there?’