The next morning, I wake up feeling groggy as though I’ve had a few too many in the Whistling Wave. And for one blissful moment before I open my eyes I think the night’s happenings were a dream – but a trip to Storm’s room quickly puts paid to that notion.

Water is still dripping slowly from the stained ceiling and the buckets and bowls are full of brown sludgy liquid. The rain picked up dirt while it was cascading through the attic and onto Storm’s bed. Her room will need repairing and redecorating and as for the roof…

Rob from the roofing business comes out quickly, spends ages poking around under the eaves and climbs down the loft ladder looking grim.

‘Just as I feared, your roof can’t withstand a good old Cornish storm because it’s compromised.’ Which is presumably business speak for ‘knackered’. He shoves his pencil behind his ear and scans the piece of paper he’s been scribbling on.

‘Can you repair it?’

‘I can make it watertight again, but you’ll be in the same position before too long if you don’t replace the whole roof. And next time the rain comes in the damage to the interior of the house might be more severe. You got off quite lucky really with the storm passing over quickly. They often sit on the village for ages ’cos it’s in a valley.’

Oh dear. My knees suddenly feel weak and Josh puts a steadying hand on my shoulder before taking over. ‘You’d better make the roof watertight and we’ll let you know about replacing it.’

Rob gives me a sympathetic smile. He can tell we’re strapped for cash. ‘Sure thing. But have a think about what I’ve said and I wouldn’t leave it too long before you get back in touch. This is a gorgeous old house and I’d hate to see it spoiled.’

While Rob’s banging about in the attic, I wander into Storm’s soggy room and perch on the cold stone window sill.

‘What are we going to do, Alice?’ I whisper to the walls. ‘We can’t afford a new roof but the thought of Toby ripping the heart out of this gorgeous house is killing me. And what about the wedding? Am I daft getting married when we’re skint? If it’s no trouble, could you send me a sign? Please.’

I sit there waiting while Rob bangs about above my head, but nothing happens. There’s no bolt from above, no vision of Alice with angel wings pointing me in the right direction, no flashing sign saying ‘Sell up!’ or ‘Stay put!’ Of course there isn’t. Alice has gone.

The brown stain on the ceiling has spread like mud above Storm’s bed and breath catches in my throat when I spot a brown line above the wardrobe in the corner. But it’s only after I’ve pulled open the wardrobe doors that I know for sure. Filthy water has snaked inside, a musty smell hits me and there it is. My second-best but perfectly adequate wedding dress has huge, brown water marks running down the cream bodice and skirt. It’s ruined.

I run my fingers across the ruined satin, which is still sopping wet and smells of wet dog.

‘Blimey, Alice. That’s one hell of a sign.’

I go in search of Josh who’s been out for a run and find him getting dressed after his shower. So far, he’s put on dark grey boxers and black socks and his wet hair is standing on end. Usually the sight of a half-naked Josh fills me with lust, though the socks are a bit of a passion killer, but today there’s nothing. I’m so tired and fed up I don’t even want to shag my boyfriend.

‘Are you OK? Rob’s doing a quick patch-up and the damage is quite extensive so it’s going to be a bit pricey. But we’ll sort something out.’ He sits on our bed and pats the space beside him.

I sit next to him and take a really good look at Josh’s lovely face. He’s still gorgeous with a shadow of stubble across his strong jaw but there are dark circles under his eyes. He’s getting married in three weeks’ time and should be on top of the world but instead he’s stressed and tired and scrabbling for every penny.

Suddenly everything clicks into place as though Alice has whispered the answer in my ear.

Turning towards Josh, I lace my fingers through his. ‘This house deserves more than a succession of quick patch-ups. It needs someone who’s got the cash for a new roof to keep the place going. It needs Toby.’

I’m expecting Josh to put up a bit of a fight and insist we should try selling to someone else. But he nods, as worn down by money worries as I am. ‘You’ll have to move out of Salt Bay.’

‘That’s all right. The locals don’t like my B&B idea and I’ll be persona non grata when they find out I’m selling to Toby. I’ll be run out of the village anyway.’

Josh grins and squeezes my hand. ‘What changed your mind?’

‘A river running through Storm’s bedroom was a bit of a wake-up call and I’ve realised what’s most important.’

‘Which is?’

‘All of us. You and me, Storm and Emily. I’ve been so upset about losing Alice, I couldn’t see what really matters. So let Toby have what he wants and we can all move on. I love this house and it’ll break my heart to leave it but you all matter to me more. That’s it.’

I shrug and breathe out slowly. ‘Oh, and we shouldn’t get married. Not this month anyway. The rain’s ruined my dress and there’ll be no money to replace it or buy food for the reception once we’ve paid Rob for the latest repair. And we need to save every penny in case the roof needs another repair before…’ I gulp, ‘before it goes to Toby.’

Eek, I was doing so well but now my eyes are filling with tears and Josh is stroking my arm which doesn’t help. I blink rapidly and twist my silver engagement ring round and round on my finger.

‘I’m so sorry about your dress, Annie, but we’ve already bought some food and could still do the wedding on the cheap.’

‘We were already doing it on the cheap and we can’t feed people on nothing but prawn vol-au-vents. Let’s get real, Josh. We need to spend what we have on keeping the house watertight, so the wedding will have to wait for a while until we’re living somewhere else and money’s not such an issue.’

‘I know it makes financial sense but you so wanted to have the reception at Tregavara House where you feel close to Alice.’ Josh frowns. ‘I suppose Toby might still let us have the reception here when he owns the place and before he carves it up into flats.’

‘He might but there’ll be strings attached because that’s just the way he is and he doesn’t like you.’

‘He really doesn’t like me,’ agrees Josh.

‘So it wouldn’t be the same and I’d rather we did our own thing without having to tiptoe around Toby. Alice will be with me in my heart wherever we have our wedding.’

And I try to smile to show that I’m absolutely fine with our change of plan. But my mouth wobbling rather gives me away.