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‘Good. Because I love you even when you’re grumpy because I know you’ll stop being grumpy soon, but Jake probably doesn’t know that.’

‘I’m not grumpy, Summer.’ Evelyn flopped back on the pillows, trying her hardest to not be “grumpy” with her precocious child. ‘Summer, where’s Nanny? Does she know you’re using the phone?’

‘She’s making me breakfast. We’re having dippy eggs.’

‘That sounds very nice. But you know you’re not supposed to use the phone without asking.’ She couldn’t believe her mother would have given the OK on this call without good reason.

‘Unless it’s really important,’ Summer argued. ‘And this was very important.’

‘I think we need to have a little chat about what is really important and what isn’t,’ Evelyn started.

‘Oooh, I’ve got to go. Nanny is calling. And you know my eggs have to be runny. Bye Mum!’

‘All right sweetheart. Enjoy your dippy eggs. Be good for Nanny.’ Evelyn realised she was talking to herself and Summer had already hung up.

The door opened and Jake backed into the room, holding two steaming cups.

‘I am so, so sorry about that.’ She sat up in bed, pulling the covers high, and shoved the pillow behind her back.

‘For what?’

‘For Summer calling and waking you up.’

‘She woke you up too.’ He laughed. ‘Besides, I don’t mind.’ He sat on the edge of the bed and leaned forward to place a kiss on her lips.

Evelyn tried not to flinch away, horrified at the thought of how bad her morning breath would be.

‘Here.’ Jake handed her a steaming mug of coffee.

She took a small sip, and the hot sweetness made her smile. ‘Perfect, thank you.’

‘It should be. I followed the instructions.’ He laughed again.

‘I don’t understand.’ She took another sip of the coffee and sighed happily. Manna from heaven.

‘Summer told me. She wanted to make sure I knew that if you were grumpy it was because you wanted your coffee, and you didn’t mean it. I didn’t want you to be grumpy, so I asked if she knew how you liked your coffee.’

‘Oh no.’ Evelyn covered her face with her free hand. ‘I’m so embarrassed.’

‘I actually think it’s kind of adorable.’ He wriggled on to the bed next to her, and held up his arm so she could snuggle back against him. ‘Besides, dealing with the “grumps” is one of my specialist skills.’

‘Oh really?’

‘Not all of my patients are pleased to see me, you know.’

‘Are you comparing me to a dog?’ Evelyn kept her voice flat, not letting him know what she was thinking.

He studied her for a moment, before clearly deciding she was trying to wind him up. ‘You know I treat cats too. And wildlife. And sometimes the prettiest, most exotic of beautiful birds.’

‘You treat farm animals too.’

‘Yes, but I’m not stupid enough to compare you with a cow.’ He placed a kiss on the end of her nose and the gesture was so sweet that Evelyn wanted to grab him and drag him back against her. Instead, she smiled and took another sip of her coffee.

‘You’re much more like an exotic bird. Or a cat maybe?’

‘A cat?’ She watched him carefully.

‘Well, you do seem to purr when being petted right.’