Ann took her courage in both hands. ‘There’s usually a pot of soup on the stove.’ Her words came out in a rush before she had time to think twice. ‘So, if you happen to be passing again and you’d like to have some lunch with an opinionated woman, just knock on the door.’

He seemed uncertain. ‘That’s very kind, but if you don’t mind me saying, will other people not object to a man you don’t know sitting in your kitchen and eating your food?’

‘You mean Isobel?’ She didn’t wait for a reply. ‘She’ll be fine with it. That’s not something I’m worried about. And anyway, it’s my house so I make the rules.’

*

‘You did what?’ said Isobel when she came back from looking for work. It had been a fruitless search and to make matters worse it had poured all afternoon, and she was soaked from head to foot.

‘I asked him in for a bowl of soup.’

‘A stranger, in the kitchen? Are you mad?’

‘He isn’t a stranger.’

‘And why would that be, pray?’ Isobel took off her sodden shoes and set them down beside the range, but not too close.

‘I’ve met him before. I’m sure I told you about me mistaking him for Finlay.’

‘You did. But you didn’t say he had come in on that occasion either.’ She put her hands on her hips and winked at Ann. ‘Is there something you aren’t telling me, young lady?’

‘Less of the young, I’m a mature woman. It’ll be my birthday on Thursday and I’m expecting a cake with thirty-three candles on top.’

Isobel couldn’t help but laugh. ‘Mature is not really the word I would have chosen.’

‘It’s only happened twice.’

‘And will there be a third time?’

‘I don’t know.’

Isobel sighed. ‘I’m serious, do you know anything at all about him?’

Ann thought for a moment. ‘His name is Keith Anderson. He’s three years younger than me, but I think he looks older. He’s a skilled tradesman, a painter and decorator. One moment . . .’ She reached her diary down from the shelf on the dresser and flipped back to February. ‘He has an address on Dalry Road, but it doesn’t say whether it’s a private address or a business address.’

‘Anything else?’

‘What do you mean?’

‘Describe this man who has been sitting in our kitchen, just in case I meet him. I shouldn’t want to be embarrassed. And if I ever need to give the police an idea of what he looks like, it would be helpful to know what to say.’