She nods. ‘I know. I’m sorry. It depends on visitor numbers, budgets – but I have high hopes for a great year ahead …’

‘I’m definitely interested,’ I say firmly, thinking: could I do this? Of course I could. Since the show, I’ve felt as if I can do anything.

Hannah looks delighted. ‘Okay, so I’ll set up a more formal chat – but it really is just that. A formality. After our Girl Friday event,’ she adds, with a big, beaming grin, ‘I think you’ve pretty much passed the test.’

Chapter Forty-One

Saturday, December 14

So Izzy is finally getting to see the eco-lodges up at Loch Fyne, as Andy is taking her away for the weekend. This time, with no Maeve’s caravan trip to entice her, she is delighted to go. As for me, I am going on a jaunt today, with Penny and Nick.

He knows where we are going, but Penny doesn’t. At least, she doesn’t yet; we didn’t want to risk her refusing to come. We’ve just told her we are going on a trip.

‘This is ridiculous,’ she says, rather crossly as the train pulls out of the station. We thought it would be more fun to travel this way; more of a mystery trip. Now I’m not sure it was the right decision. But it’s not far to Lancaster – only two hours – and I’m hoping Penny will soon relax and just enjoy the journey. ‘I don’t like this “being taken” somewhere,’ she says, turning to Nick to her left.

‘Okay,’ he says, catching my eye across the table. ‘I can understand that. I’d probably find it a bit unsettling too.’

‘To put it mildly,’ she huffs.

The three of us fall silent. Penny, who’s sitting at the window seat, gazes out at the fields. Rain trickles diagonally across the glass. Nick is alternately fiddling with his phone and trying, with limited success, to engage his mother in conversation.

‘I’d love a coffee,’ she announces, at which the two of us leap up, eager to escape for a few minutes.

‘I’ll get it,’ I say brightly. ‘Nick, d’you want anything?’

‘Just a coffee for me too, please. Erm, in fact, I’ll come and help.’ He turns to Penny. ‘Won’t be a minute, Mum. Will you be okay?’

‘For God’s sake,’ she exclaims. ‘I’m not going to do anything, you know. I’m not going to get off at – well, whatever the next station is. And I’m not planning to throw myself from the moving train.’

‘I’m glad to hear that,’ he says with a smile.

‘I don’t need watching, you know. I’m not some confused old lady that you can’t leave unattended for a few moments,’ she adds sternly.

‘No, we realise that,’ I murmur. ‘Sorry, Penny. The last thing we want to do is annoy you.’