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‘Wow, OK, great. Hopefully in time for the twins’ birthday party. They’ll adore it if you’re here too.’

Rita enjoyed a sip of her fizz. Alcohol was a rare treat these days as she was still doing a nightly breast feed. She needed to make this glass last. ‘Won’t you get bored though, Thom? I mean there’s not a lot to do down here, compared to London.’

‘That’s the whole point, Mum. I mean, I prefer Cornwall in the summer when I can be a beach bum, but I need this time. I really do.’

‘Yeah, are you really sure, bruv? I mean there won’t be the same kind of harem opportunities for you in sleepy Seahaven Bay,’ Sennen joshed.

‘Shut up, Sen.’ Thom’s face fell. ‘Being honest, I messed up with Poppy, I realise that.’

‘Who even mentioned Poppy and that was ages ago, you melt.’ Sennen picked out the white fish from the batter and took a mouthful.

‘Stop it, you two,’ Rita scolded.

Thom’s voice tightened. ‘We all judged her, me included, on what she looked like and how she came across.’

His sister clearly wasn’t letting it go. ‘Didn’t stop you shagging Elodie or that wedding journalist though, did it?’

At the mention of his French ex-wife, Jago’s face looked like he’d taken that punch. He hurriedly refilled everyone’s glass and took a huge drink from his own.

Rita noticed and couldn’t help feeling aggravated. ‘I’ll be the one up in the night with the kids then, will I?’

Jago swallowed his irritation and chased it down with another mouthful of wine. Not willing to let it drop, Thom continued. ‘Elodie and Imogen. That was different. They meant nothing.’ He looked embarrassed for a second.

Sennen was relentless. ‘I’m sure those women would love to hear you saying that.’

Thom bashed his hand down on the table. ‘I didn’t say anything bad about either of them. Just shut up will you, Sen. You just don’t get it.’

Rita did her best to defuse the tension. ‘Yes, leave it now, love, please.’

Thom’s voice started to wobble. ‘I don’t care what you say, but underneath all her bravado, Poppy was the most loyal and kind woman I’ve ever met.’

Sennen softened. ‘Yes, I remember, she certainly showed her true colours during the fire. In a good way, I mean.’

‘You apologised to her, didn’t you, so no regrets, love,’ Rita added kindly.

‘I cheated on her, Mum, and then she had to be faced with the hurricane that is Elodie in broad daylight, in front of everyone. It was awful for her. And I’ve yet to find anyone like her.’

‘Have you spoken to her since?’ Jago added.

‘I kept trying to see her, and she kept saying no and now she’s blocked me and I don’t blame her.’ Thom sighed deeply. ‘Another reason I just want to be away from everything, a fresh start, you know.’

‘If she’d said yes right away, you’d have probably dumped her by now, anyway. I know how you men work.’ Sennen took a large swig of drink.

Rita raised her voice this time. ‘I said leave it, Sennen.’

‘You always were the favourite in this family!’ Sennen grabbed the bottle and emptied the last drops into her glass. ‘And you should have bought two of these!’

Rita shook her head slowly in despair.

Jago tried to lighten the mood. ‘Thom mate, time is a healer and who knows what the women of Seahaven Bay or the Winking Pilchard might hold for you.’

Thom managed a small laugh, as a loud cry came from through the baby monitor.

Rita groaned. ‘They had just started to sleep through again the past two days, as well.’

‘I’ll go.’ Jago leapt up. ‘I meant to ask, did you book the nursery show-around?’

Rita nodded. ‘Yes, tomorrow at ten.’