Dolly visibly brightened. ‘Carol and I are going by ship to New York where Felix has booked us into a hotel right in the heart of Manhattan. We plan to shop until we drop, and see all the sights before we fly across to Los Angeles. Felix will meet us there and drive us down to his home in the orange and lemon groves.’

‘It sounds heavenly,’ sighed Peggy. ‘Lucky you, and lucky, lucky Carol.’

Dolly smiled. ‘Yes, we’re both aware of how blessed we are, Peggy.’ She took another sip of the rapidly cooling tea. ‘Carol will be with me in the States for a couple of months, and if she likes it out there she may even decide to stay. There’s nothing much left for her in Devon, and she certainly didn’t fancy keeping her job on the farm. She’s renting out the two cottages while she’s with me, so has an income to tide her over.’

‘And what about you, Dolly? Will I ever see you again?’ Peggy asked.

Dolly reached for her hand. ‘I’m sorry, my dearest friend, but this is my farewell trip, and I’m not planning to return. I’ve sold up in Bournemouth and all my worldly goods are already on their way to the States.’

‘Oh, Dolly, I will miss you,’ said Peggy wistfully. ‘But I do understand why you must go.’

Dolly nodded. ‘Felix and I have already wasted too many years apart, and now I’ve found him again, I’m never letting him go.’ She smiled, her face softening and lighting up at the mere mention of his name. ‘He’s the love of my life, Peggy, and now we’ve got a second chance to be together, we’re going to grab it with both hands.’

‘I’m so pleased for you, Dolly – and for Carol. It will be a wonderful chance for her to really get to know her father and see something of America. I’m just sorry that your trip down here has been ruined by all the goings-on at Tamarisk Bay.’

Dolly shrugged and tried to appear nonchalant about it all, but the sadness in her eyes told another story. ‘I felt really guilty about leaving Pauline behind, so was going to surprise her with the boat and plane tickets so she could join us for a few weeks. Now I’ve been presented with the aftermath of her truly appalling behaviour, I’ve decided she doesn’t deserve to be rewarded so will cancel the tickets. It’s a great shame, Peggy, but she’s brought it upon herself.’

‘You’d better keep that to yourself,’ warned Peggy. ‘Or there will be a massive bust-up again.’