‘No!’ The little boy shook his head vigorously. ‘I’m Arthur!’
‘Ah, right! So…Zoe, come and say hello to Herbie and Arthur…’
Zoe took a breath and straightened up. ‘Hello!’ she said as brightly as she could manage. ‘I’ve heard everything about you!’
Alex dashed to the cupboard. ‘Do you like chocolate? I mean’ – he glanced at Gavin – ‘if your dad says it’s OK.’
‘Their mum would kill me, but I say they’re on holiday, so go for it.’
Alex dashed back with two small chocolate bars and handed them one each. Both boys took the gift with shy smiles.
‘They’re your friends for life now,’ Gavin said. ‘They’d sell their mum for a bar of chocolate. They’d probably sell me too.’
‘Dad!’ Herbie grinned, pulling at his hand. ‘Silly!’
‘Let me go and get the foot pump for you,’ Alex said, leaving them with Zoe.
‘Is this your first time in the Lake District?’ she asked, using every ounce of her energy to appear normal, even though she was melting down.
‘It is mine, though my brothers have been before. With their kids, you know. It’s a great site you’ve got up here.’
‘We like it.’
‘Nice and peaceful.’
‘Hmm…’
The conversation petered out. Zoe forced a smile and hoped she didn’t look too unhinged. At least her heart rate was calming a little, and perhaps in a couple of minutes she’d be able to function like a human being again.
‘Here you go…’
Alex was back. After he’d furnished his guest with the pump and they’d exchanged a few more pleasantries, the family left.
‘They’re so cute, aren’t they?’
‘The twins? Yes, very sweet.’
‘Are you all right?’
Zoe nodded. ‘Hungry. Ready for that pie now – it smells good.’
‘It does,’ Alex agreed. ‘I don’t know what Billie is doing, but if she doesn’t get down here in a couple of minutes, she might not get any because I could eat the lot.’
As Zoe took a seat at the table once more, she became aware of him watching her.
‘I’m all right,’ she said. ‘In case you were going to ask. I’ve cooled down now I’ve had a minute at the window.’
‘You promise you’re looking into this?’
‘There’s nothing to look into.’
‘I worry about?—’
‘I said there’s nothing to look into! Could we drop it, please?’
Billie appeared at the door, Louisa sucking on a fist. She glanced at Alex and Zoe in turn. ‘Not interrupting anything, am I?’
‘No,’ Alex said with a wary look at Zoe. ‘But you’re just in time for food because I was saying it smells so good I could have eaten your share.’
