Jemima Tavistock’s stomach was in knots. Having spent the morning supervising the appraisers, she had finally got away just after midday. She pulled into a side street and donned her wig and glasses before driving to the edge of the village and finding a parking spot in a back lane. Then she walked the short distance to the Goose and Gander, where there was a larger than expected lunch crowd. Jemima hoped the presence of so many people hadn’t put him off. But as she walked through the room, she spotted him in one of the booths with just the top of his head visible. She slipped into the seat opposite and allowed herself to breathe.

‘You took your time,’ he said, passing her a menu.

‘Sorry – there was some business at home I had to attend to. I’m glad you didn’t decide to go anywhere,’ she replied.

‘Oh, but I have,’ he said, smiling. ‘I’ve found a lovely little cottage not too far from you, actually. It’s in a sweet village called Penberthy Floss, right next door to the general store.’

‘You can’t live there.’ The words flew out of Jemima’s mouth before she had time to check herself.

‘Really.’ He picked up his glass of mineral water and took a sip. ‘Well, I’m sorry to disappoint you, dear sister, but I’ve already agreed. I’ll be moving in this afternoon, and I expect you to bring Chessie around this evening – she is home for the holidays, I presume.’

Jemima wrung her hands beneath the table. She wanted to run and never come back, but she couldn’t. The damage he could do was irreparable. ‘Chessie’s on holiday with our mother at the moment. Perhaps there’ll be time for her to visit before she returns to boarding school.’

He frowned. ‘Well, I’ll need some money.’

Jemima glanced up from the menu.

‘Just until I get back on my feet,’ he added, looking dolefully into her eyes. ‘You know that I’m going to sort everything out.’

Jemima wanted to believe him with all her heart. She pulled some notes from her wallet and passed them over. ‘That’s all I’ve got,’ she said. She wasn’t about to tell him that things weren’t exactly rosy in her world at the moment.

He laughed. ‘I meant real money, Jem, not a grocery allowance.’

‘I don’t have anything more,’ she said, on the verge of tears.

He leaned in, over the table. ‘But you can get it,’ he said, lowering his voice. ‘You’re a … Lady now.’

‘That doesn’t mean anything,’ she snapped.

He sat back, his mouth set in a grim line. ‘How is darling Chessie?’

‘She’s fine,’ Jemima said quietly.

‘I have to say I am a bit surprised, Jem. Boarding school and holidays with our mother?’ he said, arching an eyebrow. ‘What happened? The two of you were so close.’

Jemima looked at him fiercely. He had happened. He was the one to blame for all this. She took a deep breath to calm herself before speaking. ‘Mother wanted to take her on a special trip. Just the two of them. Make some memories,’ she lied.

‘Yes, clearly the old bird’s memory isn’t too good these days. She’s forgotten how to use the telephone or drive a car since I changed address,’ he spat.

Jemima sighed. ‘You can’t blame her for that.’

‘No, but I’m sure she’ll feel terrible once she realises that it was all a big mistake,’ he said.

‘Let’s just prove that, shall we?’ Jemima tucked a strand of brown hair behind her ear.

‘Perhaps we should make a move then?’ he suggested.

‘What?’

‘You can drop me off at the new place and arrange to get me some things,’ he said.

‘N-no, I can’t.’ She shook her head. ‘People know my car.’

‘Then you’d better hand over your credit card, my dear. I’m afraid it’s going to be a very expensive taxi ride,’ he said.

Jemima bit her lip. This was proving to be even more difficult than she’d anticipated.