‘Liam,’ said Ned, thankfully not taking the opportunity to add further weight to his argument that I shouldn’t have offered Liam a job, ‘why don’t you let me show you around properly? Liza’s been telling me your interview went really well and that you’ve got the right attitude to help us out here in the run up to Christmas.’

Chelsea looked dumbfounded and I could have kissed Ned, not that that was allowed. He hastily led Liam towards the plantation, leaving Chelsea and I facing each other. I opened my mouth to say something, but her shoulders slumped and I couldn’t be sure, but I thought her eyes were full of tears as she dropped her gaze to the ground. I had been going to suggest we talk in the office, but changed my mind.

‘Shall we go into the lodge?’ I said instead, keen not to draw further attention from anyone in earshot. ‘I was just about to make myself a coffee.’

Chelsea, although recovered, looked rather out of place in the lodge and when she recoiled from Bandit’s friendly advances, I ushered him into the utility room. Liam had readily made friends with my four-legged chum, but I didn’t think Chelsea was going to and didn’t want to aggravate her again.

‘Do you take milk and sugar?’ I asked.

‘Just milk,’ she said. ‘I’m sweet enough.’

Even though the remark was classic Chelsea, I could tell there was something more complicated behind the motivation for her visit than raking me over the coals for offering Liam a job and giving him a lift to Wynmouth.

‘There you go,’ I said, handing her a mug before sitting at the opposite end of the sofa.

She inhaled the strong aroma before placing it down on the side table.

‘There really was nothing untoward about last night,’ I began, keen to keep Liam out of further trouble, when she didn’t say anything. ‘I genuinely thought Ned might need some extra help what with the beach huts being here now and…’

Chelsea held up a hand, thankfully to stop me, rather than slap me.

‘I know that’s bullshit,’ she calmly said, ‘so don’t even say it.’

I tried to swallow away the lump in my throat. Was I going to survive this situation with my reputation intact?

‘Not the untoward bit,’ she amended, soothing some of my fears, ‘but the stuff about offering him a job. There was no job, was there? You caught him here, didn’t you? Prowling about the place?’

I didn’t know what to say for the best.

‘I know he comes here,’ she carried on, her tone softening. ‘The last time I tackled him about it, he promised me he’s never pinched or damaged anything.’