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Sad is one word for how I’ve been feeling. Foolish is another, for not listening to my gut and recognizing sooner that moving in with Gareth was a mistake. Will doesn’t need more space; he just needs to know that he is cared for, listened to, and understood. I’m still disappointed in myself for taking so long to understand that and to see that Gareth had his own interests at heart, more than mine or Will’s. He wanted a way out of his loneliness, but I wasn’t his ticket out of there.

Gareth had left by the time Will and I returned from the forest, taking his golf clubs with him. After that, he sent me a volley of text messages saying that I would ‘come to my senses’. In a way, he was right: I feel like I’ve been seeing the situation more clearly with every day that goes by. My priority now is to get some money coming in and find somewhere else to buy, while I still have someone who wants the farm. And Will’s suggestion about reopening the farm makes a surprising amount of sense.

First things first: I need to talk to Scarlett Legend.

I watch as the Audi 4×4 comes up the drive, much slower than before, avoiding the potholes. I step out into the yard and head across to the milking parlour to turn down the radio, throwing down a handful of feed for the ducks and Gloria while I’m there. The leaves are now sodden piles gathered in corners of the yard as the November wind has stripped the tree branches bare. But not the pine trees, I think, looking over at them. They keep their beauty all winter long, and I love them for that.

I watch as the car engine is cut and am surprised to see Luke stepping out of the driver’s seat.

‘Morning,’ he says, smiling like the cheeky chappie he is. He’s wearing an expensive-looking sweater and flat cap, and some smart new leather ankle boots. It’s as if he’s in costume as a local landowner.

‘You’re looking very much the part,’ I say, smiling. Luke seems to have that effect on me. Maybe he reminds me of a young Paddy: happy, and wanting to make others happy too.

‘Thank you,’ he grins, touching the peak of his cap. ‘It’s all sponsored stuff. Scarlett gets clothes sent to her all the time. This lot came in now she’s announced the move to her viewers, telling them we’re escaping to the country. The sponsors are going mad for it. It’s this new wave of smallholding, slow living, homesteading on the socials. Getting back to basics, growing stuff and all that. It’s big these days. Everyone wants to get back to nature. Her clubbing vibe is yesterday. Mogs wants to see her on a journey.’

‘Who exactly is Mogs?’

‘Her social media manager. Creates all her content. Well, her world, really.’

‘Life has certainly moved on since I arrived here! So are you planning to grow your own vegetables, then?’

‘Well, she’ll get a gardener, of course.’

I look at the passenger door, waiting to see Scarlett get out of it; holding my breath, anxious about how I’m going to approach this plan with her. But the door doesn’t open.

There’s a bark from inside the car.

‘Good girl,’ Luke calls to the car.

‘No Scarlett today?’ I ask.

‘Nah, she’s getting her tan and lashes done. The estate agent said you wanted to speak to me?’ He gives a little confused frown. ‘I tried to ring a couple of times.’

I roll my eyes at myself.

‘Sorry, put my phone down again somewhere. I keep forgetting to take it with me.’

‘I hope it’s not bad news.’ He raises both eyebrows and turns down the corners of his mouth.

I’m opening my mouth to reply when I hear Lara’s car on the drive.

‘Ah, actually, good – just the other person I needed to speak to.’

Lara parks up and steps out of her car, greeted by another bark from Dinky inside the Audi.

‘Hi, Gwen, hi, Luke,’ she says, looking between the two of us and realizing she’s caught us mid-conversation. ‘I’m not interrupting anything, am I?’ She’s pulling on a bobble hat and gloves.

‘No, in fact, you’re the other person I most want to see.’ Other than Horse, says a voice in my head, taking me by surprise. But that’s because I want to keep him in the loop about Will’s movements, I tell myself firmly.

‘Come in, let’s put the kettle on,’ I say and usher them towards the farmhouse.

Inside, we sit down and I pour the tea. Will comes over from the sofa to settle himself at the table, between Lara and Luke.

‘I was going to get the estate agent to speak to you, but I thought I’d better explain it all myself. You seem like someone who might understand,’ I say to Luke.

‘Look –’ he holds up his hands. ‘If it’s about the move, we’re ready when you are. Scarlett’s house is sold. We’re in a friend’s holiday home. The horses are in the livery yard. Packers are on standby, so we’re ready.’

‘Good, good.’ My mouth goes a little dry. ‘Actually, it’s about that . . . the moving date.’