‘Probably,’ concedes Georgia. ‘I’ll look in the charity shops next time I’m in Morningside.’

Chapter 70

September 2011

‘Fiona is coming for dinner tonight,’ announces Georgia over breakfast. ‘And she’s bringing a friend with her who may be able to advise you what to do about your situation.’

‘I’m not sure I’m up to explaining it all again.’

‘Don’t worry about that.’ Georgia opens the Ottolenghi book. ‘I’ve renewed this twice but it’s due back to the library tomorrow. I want to try his recipe for grains and squash and pomegranate seeds. Lebanese, I think. Look.’ She pushes the open book across the table. ‘Don’t you think that looks really tasty?’

Tess glances at the page. ‘It’s pretty, certainly.’

‘Jolly good. You can do the shopping for it; just take the grocery purse off the dresser over there.’

‘I’m sure I can afford to buy a pomegranate and some bulgur wheat.’

‘Please don’t undermine how things are done, Tess. We have the bulgur wheat already, it’s the fresh pomegranate that’s missing. And perhaps something deliciously wicked for dessert? I shall leave it up to you to choose.’

Tess shakes her head. ‘You pay for all the food and I don’t think it’s fair.’

‘Please just stop.’ Georgia’s voice has a sudden edge. ‘I am immensely privileged. I have a lovely house, albeit one in need of some care and attention in the garden department. I have chosen to share it with various young women over the years, at my own expense. None of them, not one, not the most broke, nor the most broken-hearted, would have lived here with me and shared their lives for a couple of years if they thought I was offering charity. Every single one of them was far too proud to be beholden to me or anyone else. They have given me so much, Nicola included.’

‘But—’

‘But nothing.’ Georgia’s voice gives away her exasperation. ‘Perhaps you will feel differently if I remind you that Keith paid rent when he first moved in. My own mother took a job in the year between being at school and going to university; she refused to let anyone pay her rent for her. She took a job at the greengrocer on Morningside Road and apparently that caused quite a stir among the well-heeled at the university.’ Georgia stops as a piece of the family jigsaw slots into place. ‘Annie made me study the ledger when I took over, so I would understand how it all worked. I always wondered why Olivia was allowed to stay for longer than two years and we now have the answer to that question. But even though Annie knew that Olivia was her niece, the accounts show that she paid rent. It wasn’t a lot, but she paid it. It is the way things are done here.’

‘I’m sorry.’