‘It’s going to be your room, as soon as you get on and move your things. I don’t know why you won’t take one of the bigger rooms, though?’

‘I like small. I’ve spent all my life at the back of houses. But I will move, I promise, and I’m very much looking forward to seeing the cherry blossom on your tree next spring. It will be strange to open the curtains in the morning and see the street.’

‘I just wish you would get on and do it. I’m sure Keith would help with moving your things. You know, if you want to change the paper or paint it a new colour, that’s fine with me.’

‘I’ll think about it. But the rest of the house should be done first. And anyway, it means I have the advantage of seeing all the colours when they are on a wall instead of just in a tin and that will help me choose. What are you going to do with all the furniture?’

‘I’m not sure yet. Most of it is very old. Some even belonged to my grandparents. It’s not valuable, but it doesn’t suit the place any more, it’s all dark and brooding.’

‘Maybe Keith could paint it?’

‘Possibly. It depends what we’re going to do with the house.’

‘We?’

‘I was thinking of offering you a proper job.’

‘A job? Doing what?’

‘Just part time. Instead of you looking for extra hours at the greengrocer. Of course, you don’t have to say yes. You might prefer parsnips to parkin.’

Isobel smiled, and then became serious. ‘I spoke with Rab the other day. He told me that his mother is moving to Glasgow to be with her sister in a few months’ time, and that means he’ll be in the same position that Keith was in before he moved here. It’ll not be long before he needs somewhere to live too.’

‘I’m sorry to hear that.’ Ann leaned forward, looking up the garden at the herb patch. ‘You know, I’ve been thinking. I know we talked about having other lodgers before, and having Keith here has worked out alright . . .’

Isobel laughed. ‘Well, there’s a surprise. I can’t imagine why you would think so.’

Ann poked her friend in the ribs. ‘You’re never going to let me forget that, are you?’

‘No, I’m not. Watching the two of you pretend not to be interested in each other was highly entertaining.’

‘Keith and I have resigned ourselves to a lifetime of teasing.’

‘And I will enjoy every minute of it. My work here is done.’

‘Not quite, my friend, not quite. If you take my old room upstairs, that leaves three rooms including the parlour. So I’ve been thinking that two people could share that because it’s the biggest.’

‘Go on . . .’