Mia had a lot to think about. But the following morning, all she could think about was Jet. Was he really that much of a bastard? Tom was supposed to be his friend and yet he hadn't been very friendly towards Jet last night.

And could she really have got it so wrong about Jet? Surely if he wanted harm to come to her he wouldn't have thrown himself in front of the whirling, metal blades of that harvester, risking his own life to save hers. Or would he? He'd said there were signs on those chains but she hadn't seen any. Had he removed them on purpose?

Now she was being completely ridiculous. He hadn't known she was going to his farm that day. She was seeing drama where there wasn't any; declaring guilt without evidence. And that was because of what Tom had said.

But if Jet did like her, did care about her, why had he walked away last night? Surely they could've talked about it? That would've been the kind, friendly thing to do. He knew she was upset. He knew she might not be behaving in her own best interests. Couldn't he have been … more considerate? More understanding? Less grumpy and annoyed?

Oh God. She lowered her head onto the kitchen table and banged it against the wood, albeit gently.

'Are you impersonating a woodpecker?' Ella asked, coming in from the hall. 'Or are you trying to knock some sense into yourself? Because that's something you definitely need to do.'

Mia lifted her head and met Ella's grin. 'Why? Because I asked Jet to have sex with me?'

Ella raised her brows. 'No. I'd forgotten that, momentarily.' She grabbed a mug from the cupboard. 'I was referring to the doe-eyed looks you and the vicar were giving one another when Justin and I came home. Dear God, Mia. I know Alexia said she's dated every single man in this village but it's not a competition, you know.'

Mia glowered at her. 'What's that supposed to mean? And I hate to have to remind you, but Alexia hadn't managed to date Tom. She said she wanted to but Freda told her not to.'

'Silly me.' Ella threw her a sarcastic look and poured herself some coffee, topping up Mia's mug which sat empty on the table. 'All I'm saying is, we've only been here five months and you've dated Bear, Garrick, although he doesn't really count because he doesn't live here but even so. Sorry. I shouldn't have brought up my stupid git of a brother.'

'Don't worry. I can hear his name without bursting into tears.'

'Yeah. But I can't,' Ella joked. 'I still can't believe he buggered off back over the border with little Miss Scotland.'

'Ella! That's not nice. Little Miss Scotland is the mother of your soon to be niece or nephew.'

'Yeah. And I've got to travel a million miles whenever I want to see the little brat … and my niece or nephew.' She grinned. 'Anyway, what was I saying? Oh yeah. In five months you've dated Bear and Garrick. You've tried to seduce poor, defenceless Jet.' She fluttered her eyelashes. 'And yes, I know you told me all that stuff Tom said, but I'm not sure I believe it. I think the vicar may be telling porkies. He's crazy about you and he knows you fancy Jet. What better way to remove his competition than to make you think the man is a would-be murderer? So anyway, Bear, Garrick, almost Jet, and now, unless I'm very much mistaken, you'll soon be arm in arm with a man of the cloth. Tell me I'm wrong. Please, please, tell me I'm wrong.' She got down on her knees and clasped her hands together in a prayer-like fashion.

Mia pushed her over. 'You're wrong. But would it be so bad if I did decide to date Tom? He's handsome, kind and thoughtful. He saved my life. He loves me. I could do worse.'

Ella grabbed the hand Mia offered and pulled herself to her feet, grinning. 'No. It wouldn't be bad, exactly. I just think you need to take a bit of time before you go rushing headlong into yet another relationship. Don't glower at me, miss. There's rebound, which is fair enough, but you seem to be bouncing from man to man faster than a tennis ball at Wimbledon. What's the rush? Take some time for you. Take a breather from lurve and smell the roses. Real roses, not romantic, metaphorical ones. Is that what I mean? God, I need coffee. Lots and lots of coffee. What time does Lori get home? She'll back me up.'

'You think I'm behaving like a tart? Is that what you're saying?'

'No. I'm saying that you're so confused, so mixed up that you're dashing around like a headless chicken trying to jump in the nearest pot without realising that all that will do is get you cooked. Slow down. Decide how you really feel. I know you're missing Garrick but don't jump into the nearest arms in the hope that they'll make you feel better.'

Mia sighed. 'Okay. I promise I won't rush into dating Tom. And Mum's flight landed at nine, as scheduled. I checked. Allowing for baggage reclaim and all that stuff, she should be home by noon. Oh. That's probably her calling now.'

Mia raced into the living room, grabbed the phone, putting it on handsfree and speaker at the same time, and immediately headed back towards the kitchen. 'Hi! I can't wait to see you. I'm so excited. I've got so much to tell you. How was your trip?'

'Oh. Gosh. I'm rather excited too. I assume I'm speaking with Mia.'

'Hold on. You're not my mum! Who is this?' Mia glared at the phone but all it showed on the caller display was 'international'. She glanced towards Ella sitting at the kitchen table, who shook her head and pulled a face, puffing out her cheeks, sticking her hands in her armpits and flapping her elbows.

'Your mum? Good heavens, no.' The man laughed and the sound made Mia smile, in spite of her surprise. 'I'm Gill,' the man said, at the same time as Ella.

'What was that?' Mia mouthed at Ella.

'A fish,' she said, loud enough for the caller to hear. 'You know, as in fish gill. I was trying to tell you it's the guy from yesterday.'

Mia rolled her eyes and Gill laughed down the phone.

'Fish gill. I've been called worse things,' he said.

'I bet you have,' Ella replied. 'I can think of a few myself.'

Gill laughed again. 'I do apologise for calling at just after nine on a Sunday. I telephoned yesterday and left a message, but I'm leaving here today and heading home via Paris where I'm dropping in on a friend, so I thought it best if I phoned again. I wondered if there might be a possibility of calling in on you on the way. I'm driving, you see, and Little Pondale isn't too far from the Channel tunnel. I live in Cambridge, so it is sort of on the way, with a slight detour. I'd relish the opportunity of discussing this in person. If it isn't an inconvenience, of course. You did receive my message yesterday, didn't you?'

'Yes. I was going to call you later. There's no need to apologise. We're early risers. Generally.' She grinned at Ella.

'So, Mia? What do you say? May I call on you? It'll be early evening tomorrow, I should think. I'll leave Paris after lunch. But if that's not convenient I can find somewhere local to stay and call on you on Tuesday morning. Either way, I shall stay somewhere overnight, I expect.'

'Either is fine. We don't have any plans, as such. I don't know anywhere local to stay, though. This village is about fifteen miles from the nearest town and that's not large. I suppose you could stay here. We've got a spare room.'

Ella shook her head and waved her arms in the air, mouthing 'No.'

Mia smiled. 'If you don't mind staying in a cottage with three women, that is.'

'Mind?' He laughed. 'That's without doubt the best offer I've had for a long time. But I don't want to be a nuisance.'

'You're not. I'm dying to hear anything you can tell me about my great-aunt. I never met her and believe it or not, no one seems to know much about her.'

'Oh. I hadn't realised that. That you never met her, I mean. Her letters contain quite a lot about you.'

'They do? Wow. But I shouldn't be surprised. She seemed to know everything about me and yet I know nothing of her. But it's not just me. It's almost as if she didn't want anyone to know of her existence. Who she really was, that is. Although we think she may have worked in the Intelligence Service, as bizarre as that my sound.'

'That's not at all bizarre. She did. So did my grandfather. That's how they met.'

'Really? That's really how they met?'

'Yes. But I'll explain all that when we meet. I'm looking forward to it, Mia.'

'So am I, Gill.'

Ella piped up. 'Oh, so am I. You have no idea how much.'

Gill laughed again. 'Why do I get the feeling that you mean the exact opposite of what you've just said? I'm definitely looking forward to meeting you … Ella, wasn't it?'

'Yes,' Mia said. 'Ella's my best friend and she's lovely really. She just has a bit of a wicked streak. You'll have to get used to it, I'm afraid.'

'A woman with a wicked streak,' he repeated. 'It sounds as if I'm in for a treat. Until tomorrow then, ladies. Enjoy your Sunday. Goodbye.'

'I'll give him a treat all right,' Ella said, the minute he rang off. 'Bloody moron.'

'Oh, I don't know. He sounded rather nice.'

Ella rolled her eyes. 'Bloody Nora, Mia. I swear if you decide you've got a crush on him tomorrow, I'm taking you up to Frog's Hollow and I'm drowning you in that pond. Even if it is on a Monday.'