Penny raced across the room and hugged her so tightly that Alice thought she’d have to ask her to stop. “It’s so good to see you,” Penny said as she released her.

Alice felt the same way—in fact, she wished she could keep hugging her friend, but she wasn’t sure she could do it without breaking down. “I’m sorry it’s been so long . . .”

“It doesn’t matter, you’re here now. Anyway, I’ve been just as bad. I could have called you.” Penny took hold of her small suitcase and placed it on a chair. “Come sit down, we’ll have a proper catch-up once the lunchtime rush is over.”

“Thank you so much for letting me stay, you’ve no idea how much it means to me—” The words stuck in her throat, but she caught herself and managed not to cry.

Penny was beaming at her. “It’s fine. More than fine, it’s wonderful. Say, are you hungry? You do look a bit peaky,” she said, her smile fading.

Alice had barely eaten in the last few days, and she did feel rather unsteady on her feet. “A little something would be nice.”

“Right, I’ll be back in a tick. I’ll just fetch some tea.”

Penny’s family came from Yorkshire, and Alice never tired of the soft landing her friend’s words made on her ears—or her northern hospitality.

“Sure, take your time,” Alice said, forcing a smile. “I don’t want to interrupt.” But she was desperate to talk to her old friend. Something about seeing her had unlocked all the emotion she’d been struggling to contain, and she would have to try hard not to cave in and tell Penny everything. Some time ago Alice had confided in her that something was going on with someone at work, and Penny had told her to be careful.

Alice watched as she organized her staff and chatted with the customers. Should I tell Penny the truth about everything? She and her husband, Michael, had been childhood sweethearts, and Alice didn’t want to bring her sordid drama into their home. There was a part of her that wanted to keep their friendship pure and untainted, honest and safe like it had always been.