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‘And Devan?’

He stopped and turned to look at her, his eyes strangely hopeful.

‘I hope you’re not keeping your old toenail clippings in bags. That’s kind of gross. Surely your wife has taught you better?’

His forehead creased, but he didn’t have time to answer. Cole came over to let him know there was no rush to return the overalls, leaving Alyssa to ponder the sandwich situation and to feel not at all disappointed that Devan wouldn’t have another excuse to strip.

With a quick sweep, she scooped the brown bag into her handbag, because it wasn’t good to be wasteful or to litter public benches. She wasn’t going to openly accept favours from Devan. But if she did find herself feeling absolutely starving …

‘You coming to The Rat and Raspberry, love?’ her dad asked, when she’d finished stashing her swag.

‘We still need to catch up properly,’ her mum whispered, putting her arm around her husband’s waist and pinching him on the bottom.

Urgh. Alyssa tried not to pull a face.

‘No thanks.’

If she was honest, a small part of her had enjoyed having people around and remembering how it felt when the town pulled together – but she wasn’t ready to embrace everything. These two were a step too far.

‘You sure?’ asked Devan. ‘I didn’t get much chance to catch up with you either.’

Oh, she was sure. She’d seen far too much of him today.

‘We could talk about that exclusive for the media?’ Teijo suggested, as he joined the circle. ‘I keep hearing the odd whisper from residents that you have history around here. Is it true? And why did you leave?’

‘Busy night!’ said Alyssa, pulling out her trusty phone and waving it. ‘Social media jobs, plus a whole list of online house shopping.’

The Cow Shed was still quite empty, even though Jess from the shop kept trying to offer her everything from beaded fly curtains to front garden gnomes.

‘We can lend you …’

Alyssa cut her dad off. ‘I’m all good!’

And that was exactly why she should get herself back to the barn. She could do without other people’s interfering or her parents’ cast-offs.

She had half a cold bacon butty with her name on it, and plenty of Instagram friends to catch up with. She would be just fine.

Private message from @agent_rufusdiamond to @alyssaheart_thelove coach:

@agent_rufusdiamond – Sorry I couldn’t make it to your latest love task. Was getting my eyebrows done. I can highly recommend ‘barbed wire’ as a facial hair look.