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‘Hmm, Horse has been here again, has he? I think he might fancy you!’

‘Don’t be silly. He’s a friend. Like you.’ I swallow. ‘Besides, I think he may have a new friend himself. I saw him and the care home manager swapping numbers as we were leaving. I think they’re planning to meet up.’

‘Well, that’s a relief,’ says Gareth.

I frown. It’s none of Gareth’s business if I did want Horse to be more than ‘a friend’.

‘I have other news. About the farm,’ I tell him as he takes a seat at the kitchen table, nudging Tegan off the chair she’s jumped up on. I take a deep breath and swallow down my annoyance. ‘You know I’ve had an offer for the farm, a cash one. Asking price.’

‘Yes. That woman who wants it for her horses?’

I nod again, trying not to think about what the farm will become once we’ve left.

‘It’s great news,’ says Gareth. ‘I’m sure Paddy would be delighted to know you’ve got a good price.’

‘Only thing is, you’ll remember I said they want to exchange and complete and move in for Christmas. That’s in just eight weeks’ time. Scarlett has horses she needs to organize moving, so the timing has to be right. Anyway, they’re coming here tomorrow to measure up a few things for their builders. I just need to explain things to Willow gently, so it doesn’t unsettle him too much,’ I say in a whisper.

Gareth nods and says in a loud, cheerful voice, ‘You’ll be out of here and on to pastures new by the end of the year!’

There’s a clatter on the stairs, scaring the living daylights out of me, making Tegan bark and spin in circles on her hind legs.

I turn and see the silver spice tin bouncing into view down the passageway and through into the kitchen, where a thick velvet curtain hangs; it hits a flagstone, makes a huge arc and lands with a crash on the stone floor. The lid spins off and the contents fly up into the air, autumn-leaf colours and rich fragrances scattering into the shafts of winter sunlight coming in through the glass-paned stable door. When the tin finally stops rolling, patches of deep orange and yellow spice lie scattered across the floor, covering the worn flags and threadbare rug.

Then there is silence.

I’m the first to move, but I have no idea what to do for the best. I pick up the tin and look at it, emptied of everything it held. Willow comes into view, lunging down from the stairs and bending to try and gather up the spices from the floor. He snatches the tin from my hand and begins pushing whatever he can salvage – spices all mixed up with dog hair – back into its compartments.

‘No, Willow—’ I begin, but he’s frantically scooping up spilt powders while they get rubbed into the old, worn rug at the same time, smearing into the faded pattern. I put my hands on his shoulders, trying to still him for a moment. ‘It’s fine,’ I say softly.

I realize then that tears are rolling down his cheeks, and he drops the tin, putting his other arm over his eyes. He lets out a huge gulp and a hiccup. It’s as if all his feelings are trying to tumble out at the same time.

My heart twists. I lean down to hug him, but he pushes me away. And then the farmhouse door opens and Horse is standing there, filling the space.

‘Oh, now what’s happened here?’ says Horse, taking in the scene.

Willow, looking as if he might explode with emotion, makes a run for the door. He sees Horse in the doorway and dodges round him and runs out.

‘Willow!’ I call, starting after him.

Horse looks back down at the mess on the floor and puts a hand lightly to my shoulder as I move past him.

‘Let him go, Gwen . . . he just needs to blow it off. Tegan’s gone with him, look.’ He points, and I watch the orange and white mass bobbing along after Willow.

‘Well, I’d better be going,’ says Gareth, looking at his watch and standing. ‘I have a tee-off time to get to.’

I turn to stare at him in disbelief. This is someone who calls himself a friend and says he’s there for me, looking out for me – yet he disappears when he’s actually needed?

‘Willow has run off,’ I say, upset clear in my voice.

‘It’ll be okay,’ Gareth says. ‘Kids do this kind of thing – I should know!’ He gives a little chortle. ‘At least he knows now that the farm is going to be sold, so that’s one less thing for you to worry about. It’ll be fine.’

‘Will it?’ I say flatly.

‘I’m sure of it,’ Gareth says, heading for the door and sidestepping Horse.

‘I wish I had your confidence,’ I say.

‘Horse.’ Gareth gives him a nod and a smile. ‘I hear you’ve got yourself a girlfriend!’