When he returned, she asked him if he was OK and he said yes he was, but more than that Judith daren’t ask. There’s no way he could have driven to Guildford and back to see Lana in such a short space of time, but where had he been? He barely said a word as he helped her with her rucksack and settled her on to the bike.

When they arrived at the airport she told him not to worry about coming in with her, she was fine on her own.

‘Try and enjoy it,’ he said. ‘You deserve a break.’

‘Thanks. What about you? You’ve got the place to yourself for a whole week. Planning any parties?’ she asked, knowing that the last thing on Gareth’s mind right now would be a party. He’d more likely be heading east on the M4 for a showdown or a reunion with Lana.

He gave a sad laugh in response. ‘Sorry I’ve been a bit … y’know. Just wasn’t expecting it, that’s all.’

She wanted to comfort him, but didn’t know how. ‘Come here,’ she said, and reached her arms around him for a hug.

‘Be fuckin’ lost without you, Jude,’ he said quietly, emotion cracking his voice.

Embarrassed by this rare show of vulnerability, she quickly changed the subject. ‘Right. See you in a week’s time!’ And she headed towards Departures, Gareth shouting after her, ‘I’ll pick you up!’ She turned round once, but he had already gone.

Over two thousand miles and twelve hours later, she was sat at Sofia’s homely kitchen table in Kakopetria, surrounded by her family, the warm June air outside alive with an orchestra of busy crickets. The children had long since fallen asleep, but the adults were still in full flow. Iannis, Sofia’s husband, offered to top up her Metaxa, but she yawned and said she really had to get to sleep.

Lying in bed, she thought back over the day – the excitement of meeting George at the airport, the constant chat with him all the way to Kakopetria as he told her his plans for the week ahead, the emotional welcome she’d been given by Sofia and Iannis and the kids. Even the goats and chickens had seemed pleased to see her again. She was so happy to be there. It really did feel more of a home to her than Coed Celyn and she’d already successfully tried out the Greek she’d been learning. They applauded every slow sentence she attempted. She should be feeling over the moon to be here – and she was! There was just this niggling doubt in her mind about Gareth and it wouldn’t go away.

The next morning she was awoken by Danoulla and Andreas, who wanted another look at their funny-sounding cousin before they went to school. They brought her some coffee and tried out their broken English on her. ‘Goot morrrrnink,’ they said and giggled, rushing out of the room as Judith laughed, yelling ‘Kalimera!’