The TRUFFLE SEASON

Lucy tucked her passport into her holdall. The house was locked up, post redirected and any perishable food and plants dealt with. She was ready. Well, as ready as she’d ever be.

The planning and anticipation had now given way to last-minute jitters.

‘Come on!’ she’d told herself. ‘It’s just an extended holiday. No big deal. And if you don’t like it, you can always buy a return ticket.’

It wasn’t as if she needed a friend to travel with. She was used to her own company. In fact, she preferred it – except every now and then she’d experience a wistful longing to have someone to turn to. Someone to share the good things with.

There had been relationships, some fleeting and a couple more lasting, but none had gone the full distance.

Forty-two wasn’t so old, but she felt she had missed the boat. Life’s big moments happened to others. She’d been too busy building a career.

Life’s big moments happened to others

But it was