‘Oh, yes, I remember something of the sort,’ Janine said indifferently. ‘But that was ages ago; she shouldn’t still be relying on you, Dad. After all, she’s got her granddaughter and doubtless other friends . . .’

Albert felt irritation well up within him once more. He had filled his own hot water bottle and now he tucked it under his arm and headed for the hallway and his own room. ‘This is a friendly neighbourhood; when the chips are down we all help one another,’ he said stiffly. ‘But you aren’t the only one who’s tired; I’ve been on the go since six o’clock this morning, so I think the rest of this conversation had better be deferred until tomorrow. Naturally, you’re very welcome to lie in, but when my alarm goes off at seven o’clock I shall get up as usual and make breakfast. Mr Clarke will arrive here just before nine, and I shall then go to the pet shop to open up. I’m sure I’ll be able to come back here at around eleven o’clock, however, and then we can talk.’

As Janine pushed open the spare room door as cautiously as though she expected it to be booby-trapped, he was reminded suddenly of the little girl whose room it had been long ago. When she had left, it had remained a young girl’s room for quite a long time, since Albert was reluctant to believe that she would never return. But after a couple of years he had stripped the posters from the walls and the faded curtains from the window and had parcelled up the toys, books and games, putting them into the attic and telling himself that he would bring them down again when he had grandchildren who would appreciate them. But as though she had read his thoughts and to some extent shared them, Janine turned in the doorway and gave him a lopsided little smile.

‘You’ve changed my room, but you’ve made it awful pretty; thanks, Dad,’ she said. ‘Sorry if I’ve been a bit tetchy, but I’m dead tired and longing for my bed.’ As Albert passed her to reach his own room she caught hold of his arm and stood on tiptoe to kiss his cheek. ‘See you in the mornin’ then, Dad. Night night, sleep tight, make sure the bugs don’t bite.’

The repetition of the little rhyme touched him as nothing else could, and all his doubts and fears disappeared. They would work something out. Janine didn’t understand how dependent he had become on his friendship with Edie, but once she grew accustomed to the idea all would be well. Telling himself that Janine would be a pleasant addition to their little family, Albert made his way to bed and slept soundly until morning.

The train drew in to Norwich Thorpe and Tess, who had put on her haversack and hefted her suitcase, descended on to the platform. She had not been able to tell Jonty exactly what time her train would get in and in fact, she thought to herself, it was as well that she had not done so since she had missed a connection and was a good hour and a half later than she should have been. Not expecting to be met, therefore, she was startled when someone took the suitcase from her hand and slung an arm round her shoulders, giving her a quick squeeze. ‘Hello-ello-ello,’ Jonty’s voice said in her ear. ‘Not expecting me? You daft ha’p’orth, how did you mean to get to Bell Farm? Walking?’