I hadn’t been back since the day of Dad’s funeral and there was nothing in my new plan that would change that. I knew David’s intentions were meant kindly and that if he’d understood the reason behind my reluctance to return, he wouldn’t have pushed, but that was one of the many conversations with him I had never felt ready to have.

I held sixty per cent of the shares in Wynter’s Trees but did nothing more than draw an annual bonus at the end of the tax year. David held the other forty per cent of shares and was legally obliged to keep me informed as to how the business fared throughout the year. I did take a cursory look through the books, so I knew Dad’s dream venture was thriving, but that was as far as my involvement went. As far as it would ever go.

Even though my negative feelings for the plantation and the business were justified, I still felt guilty that David, and more recently his son, was left to deal with it all. Consequently, I only ever took half of what we had originally agreed I should draw and the rest was ploughed back into the plantation. That was going to have to change now though, I realised with a jolt.

In order to fund my new business, I was going to need every penny I was entitled to. I didn’t relish the thought of telling David that I would be taking my full share and knew I certainly shouldn’t attempt it after drinking a bottle of wine. Therefore, I ignored my ringing mobile and snuggled deeper into the cushions.

‘Hello,’ I croaked, what felt like mere moments later.

‘Liza?’

‘Um,’ I winced, grappling with the phone.

‘Liza, it’s me, David.’

‘David,’ I repeated, my heart sinking in my chest.

My mouth felt dry and my head throbbed as I hoisted myself upright, scattering the cushions and sending the pain level soaring.

‘So, you are still with us then?’ he huffed, sounding unusually put out.

‘Barely,’ I whispered, as I gingerly inched my way to the kitchen sink.

I tucked the phone against my neck, which had a painful crook in it thanks to falling asleep on the sofa, and filled a glass with water. I was amazed to see it was light outside and realised I’d been out for the count all night.

‘Well, I’m sorry if I’ve caught you at a bad time,’ David continued. ‘It is early, but as you no doubt know, I’ve been trying to get hold of you all month. In fact, had you not picked up today, I was going to make the journey to visit you this afternoon.’