Titus
The next day, Alan and Vicky come to see us just after eight a.m. to say goodbye.
Heidi hugs them both and I hug Vicky, and then I go to shake Alan’s hand, and he laughs and pulls me into a bearhug.
“So great to meet you,” he says. “Call me when you land, okay?”
“Will do.” I go to pull away, but he hangs onto me for a few seconds longer before he finally releases me. To my surprise he actually looks a little choked up at having to say goodbye, and that makes my throat tighten.
We’ve already put our bags in the car, and we lock up the cottage and give them the keys, then wave goodbye, get in the Range Rover, and head out of Hawkerland Manor toward Exeter.
I glance at the country house in the rearview mirror as I drive, feeling a pang of wistfulness at the thought that I might no
