I was about to comment further, but my phone started to ring. I scrabbled in my pocket for it, hoping it wasn’t Mr Scott begging us to go back and return Doris to her original spot, but then felt guilty as I realised that for a few minutes, I’d forgotten all about Wren. I hoped, if this was the call I’d been waiting for, I was about to hear good news, rather than bad.

‘Please let her be all right,’ I whispered, fumbling to answer the call. ‘Hello?’

‘Hi, it’s me.’

It was Ned and for the first time ever, I felt my heart sink at the sound of his voice.

‘I thought I’d just give you a quick call to find out how you’re getting on?’

It was a rubbish signal and I had a job to hear him.

‘Good,’ I shouted. ‘We’re all done.’

I felt relieved the switch had gone so smoothly, but Maya shook her head and rolled her eyes when I looked at her.

‘What?’ I mouthed.

‘Never mind,’ she muttered.

‘And both families were happy?’ Ned asked.

‘Both families were thrilled,’ I told him, but then they were getting their trees for free this year so, had I been in their shoes, I’d have been happy too. ‘I’ve emailed and asked David to get in touch with Mr Stott about keeping their tree,’ I added. ‘They want to plant it out in their garden now it’s had so many years in a pot.’

‘Mmm,’ Ned said ponderously. ‘I suppose they might have got another year out of it, but that would have been pushing it. I’ll make a note about sending a final bill.’

‘There’s no need,’ I said, feeling rankled, but trying not to get too annoyed because he might not have heard what I said about sorting that because of the dodgy signal. ‘I’ve already emailed your dad about it,’ I repeated.

‘Are you heading back now then?’ he asked, ignoring what I’d just said.

‘Yes,’ I said. ‘We’ve literally just left the Scotts.’

Maya tutted and I looked at her and shrugged.

‘Well, don’t rush,’ said Ned. ‘Given the time, you might as well stop and have some lunch on the way back.’

‘All right,’ I said, feeling crestfallen.

I got the distinct impression he didn’t want me back at the plantation too soon, even if it was shut and I couldn’t cause further mayhem. I supposed I should have felt pleased that we’d established a bit of distance as it would help make leaving again easier, but the truth was, his continued abruptness smarted a bit.

‘How are you getting on?’ I then asked him.

‘Good,’ he said. ‘I’ll see you later,’ and with that he hung up.