He stopped chopping and turned towards her. ‘How so?’ he asked.

She thought for a moment to consider her reply. ‘It’s all your fault,’ she said, wagging her finger at him, pretending to tell him off. ‘You’ve encouraged me to take risks, against my better judgement and training, and it’s shown me that there are varying levels of engagement from the superficial to the significant that can deliver benefits.’

Cameron snorted a laugh. ‘In other words, people are all right when you take a bit of time to get to know them.’

‘Exactly what I said.’

Cameron leaned forward and Ros held her breath. He kissed the top of her head. ‘You’re a legend, Rosanna Foster.’

Somehow her full name didn’t grate on her when he said it.

They chatted over their meal about everything and nothing. The mundane and pointless that had so often irked her before was a pleasure to exchange with Cameron. They were stacking the dishwasher when the buzzer went. Ros went to answer it. She was mildly concerned when she heard it was her dad and doubly disturbed when she realised Amanda was also with him. ‘This can’t be good,’ she said to Cameron while she waited for them to make it to the top floor.

‘It’s probably nothing.’

‘And that takes both of them, does it?’

‘Perhaps they just want to check you’re okay,’ he said.

‘I spoke to Dad earlier, where I confirmed that I was completely fine. I’m not feeling fine now though.’ She felt sick.

He gave her a reassuring squeeze. She was going to miss those. ‘Whatever it is, we’ll face it together. You’ve got this.’

Ros took a deep breath and opened the door. Gazza was first inside as usual and overjoyed to see them. She wished she could say the same. Barry gave her a tight hug, but her mother’s embrace was considerably briefer and less effusive. Cameron made a fuss of the dog and her parents went and sat on the sofa. There was definitely something wrong.

‘Can I get either of you a tea or coffee?’ offered Ros.

‘Or something stronger?’ suggested Cameron.

‘Have you got any wine?’ asked Barry.

This was definitely not a good sign. She looked at Cameron and she knew that he was on her wavelength. He gave her a commiseratory smile. Even the eternally positive Cameron had sensed it. ‘I’ll get the drinks; you sit down,’ he said to Ros.

She steeled herself and joined her parents, whereupon Gazza had a renewed bout of excitement at her close proximity. Ros had to admit there was something mollifying about the level of adoration the little canine showed her. She gave him a rub around his ears. She could wash her hands later.

‘You look well,’ said Barry.

‘He means how’s the head injury? Any lasting damage?’ asked Amanda.

‘That’s not what I meant. But anyway, is it all okay now?’ asked Barry.

‘No issues at all. I went back to work today. I’m having my stitches out on Friday. How about you?’ She swallowed hard, braced herself for his response and wished Cameron would hurry up with the drinks.

Cameron had perfect timing as he handed round glasses and put down a bowl of water for Gazza. He sat down right next to Ros, so close she could feel the warmth of his thigh against hers. She was grateful for his presence. She feared this was the bad news she’d been expecting for some time. But to look at her father he appeared bright and well – it was like hope was taunting her.

‘I’ve got something to say,’ said Barry, picking up his wine glass. Ros reached for Cameron’s hand and it was there. Barry noticed the gesture and smiled. ‘I’ve not been entirely truthful with you.’ Ros found she was looking to her mother for some sort of clarification but her deadpan expression gave nothing away. Barry continued. ‘I mentioned to you, Ros, about a drugs trial I’ve been offered at the hospital, and I know you weren’t keen but I signed up anyway. I figured that maybe you were right that they just wanted guinea pigs, but if by being a guinea pig I could help someone else then what did I have to lose? Turns out I had everything to gain. Now don’t go getting excited because this is definitely not a cure but I’ve been on the medication for a few weeks now and the tests show that the cancer is currently under control. I don’t know how much time it will buy me but there’s a bloke in Australia who was the first to use it and he’s still here two years later, so let’s keep our fingers crossed.’

Ros went down on her knees, so she was the right level to give him the biggest hug and she held on tight to her dad. She’d never dared to hope for a miracle but here it was. She wasn’t one for tears but the ones now coursing down her face she couldn’t control. Happiness and immense relief came over her in waves. She wasn’t losing her dad, well, not just yet anyway. She had no idea what the future held but for now she was going to enjoy this moment of respite and be thankful that he’d not listened to her advice.

‘Brilliant news, Barry,’ said Cameron, shaking him warmly by the hand. ‘I’m made up for you.’

‘Thanks, lad. I didn’t like keeping if from you both but I didn’t want to give you any false hope.’ Barry pulled back a little from Ros’s tight embrace. ‘Cabbage, you okay?’

Ros sniffed back more tears. ‘Oh, Dad. I love you so much.’

‘I love you too, Cabbage. Now let’s raise a glass.’

Ros went back to her seat, blew her nose, and Cameron handed her her wine.

‘To the future, however long it may last,’ said Barry and they all clinked glasses.

***

Darla rolled over and for a moment wondered where she was, but Elliott’s warm naked body filled in the gaps. She grinned to herself at the memory of the previous night’s antics. She checked the clock, another hour before she had to get up. She turned over and an alarm went off. Elliott stirred, whacked the alarm and rolled over to face her. It was nice to see him smile for a change. ‘Good morning,’ he said.

‘It’s a bit early.’

‘Yeah, sorry about that. Farming is relentless. It doesn’t stop for anything, not even birthdays or Christmas.’

‘How about a quickie before work?’ she suggested.

‘Oh absolutely. Everything stops for that,’ he said, reaching out and kissing her.

Mid-kiss her phone started going off. At this time in the morning it was either a crisis or more hopefully her boss ringing to say the building had been demolished and she didn’t need to go in. Through the kiss she said, ‘I best see who it is.’

She reached for the phone whilst still trying to kiss Elliott, and must have inadvertently answered a video call from her parents because when she looked at the screen their confused faces were staring back at her while in the tiny box was the image of Elliott kissing her ear. ‘Oh sh . . . shalom, good morning, Mum. Dad. Just a second.’ She angled the phone down so hopefully all they could see now was the bed covers. She turned to Elliott. ‘I don’t suppose you can speak French,’ she whispered.

‘Mais oui, bien sur, ma cherie.’

‘That’s perfect. Strong on the accent.’

‘Oh, you like that?’

‘Shhhh. French only while I speak to my parents.’

‘What?’ She gave him a look. ‘Quoi?’

She flipped her phone back over. ‘Hi.’ She gave an awkward wave. ‘Sorry about that. I’m just here with—’

‘Bonjour, je m’appelle Elliott.’

Maybe this was a bad idea. ‘Anyway, what’s up?’

‘Elliott it would seem,’ said her dad with thunderous eyes. If he hadn’t looked so cross it would have been funny.

‘Oh no, he’s just popped by. He’s going now.’ She shooed a very confused Elliott with a wave of her hand. He responded by throwing back the covers and getting out of bed, and she had to bring the phone closer to her face to avoid him flashing her parents, although they seemed almost as alarmed by her early morning close-up. ‘Are you both okay?’ she asked while watching Elliott leave the room. He had a gorgeous bum.

‘We’re sorry to call so early,’ said her mum. She had a troubled expression, which Darla assumed was not solely down to seeing her daughter being kissed by a random stranger. ‘It is early where you are, isn’t it?’ asked her mum.