‘No,’ I said, taking it. ‘Not at all. In fact, I’m free for the rest of the day.’

‘In that case,’ he said, ‘would you mind sitting with Wren while I make a quick trip to the studio?’

‘Of course I wouldn’t mind,’ I said, smiling at Wren.

‘I’ll be fine on my own,’ she said to Theo, in spite of my offer. ‘I don’t want to hold Liza up.’

‘You’re not,’ I quickly said. ‘I’ve absolutely nothing planned.’

‘And I’ll feel better if you’re with a friend,’ Theo said, bending to kiss her cheek. ‘Just for this morning.’

‘To tell you the truth,’ I told her, ‘I could do with a chat about something other than Christmas trees.’

Theo gave me a grateful smile. He might come across as laidback and light of heart, but I’d seen the look of fear on his face the day Wren went into hospital. He’d been every bit as scared as she was and I was more than willing to do whatever I could to make sure that expression didn’t appear, on either of their faces, again.

‘Oh, go on, then,’ Wren said to him. ‘I know you’re itching to empty the kiln.’

‘I won’t be long,’ Theo grinned, as he reached for his coat which hung on a hook next to the door.

The door opened straight on to the tiny front garden and I could see that even though the place was Lilliputian it was very organised. There were clever storage solutions everywhere and absolutely no clutter. I wondered if they would have to move to somewhere bigger when the baby arrived, but in view of the recent scare, didn’t ask.

‘Take as long as you need,’ I called after Theo. ‘Where even is your studio?’ I asked Wren once he’d gone.

Her face lit up as she told me all about it. It was part of a former stable block at Home Farm, which belonged to Joe’s family. She and Theo shared the largest space there and Hope ran her business from another converted stable next door. With Theo being Hope’s cousin, it sounded very much like a family affair and Wren clearly loved it.

‘It sounds perfect,’ I told her.

‘It is,’ she said, and then her expression clouded.

‘What is it?’ I asked. ‘Are you not feeling well?’

‘No,’ she said, ‘I’m all right, thank goodness, although between you and me, I am worried about the beach hut.’

‘It’s fine,’ I reassuringly said. ‘I locked it after I’d been inside this morning. Everything’s safe.’

‘I know that,’ she said, looking tearful, ‘but it shouldn’t be locked up, should it?’

She had a point.

‘No,’ I said, biting my lip, ‘I suppose not.’