‘You’re sure? You really would enjoy a drive over to King’s Lynn? We could have a meal at the Duke’s Head, if you don’t fancy eating the stuff from the stalls.’

‘I do fancy it,’ Tess said. ‘Oh, Jonty, there’s nothing I’d like more. Do you know, in all the time I’ve spent in Norfolk no one’s ever suggested a visit to the market in King’s Lynn. I’ve been to the Norwich one countless times, and very good it is too, but they say King’s Lynn is even better.’ She finished the last of her porridge, drained her tea and jumped up. ‘Good thing we didn’t lie in, despite getting to bed so late. Let’s start hanging the paper chains at once; we’ll decorate the tree when we get home this evening.’ She turned anxiously to Mrs Bell. ‘Are you sure you can manage without us?’

Mrs Bell tutted. ‘Think I’m made of icing sugar, my woman?’ she asked derisively. ‘You go off and enjoy yourselves, the pair of you.’ She smiled understandingly at Tess. ‘You both deserve a day off, Jonty an’ all.’

Tess and Jonty arrived back in Heyworth Street to discover that all the plans which Gran and Albert had made for the holiday were about to come to nought. When they reached the pet shop at three in the afternoon they found it was shut, a most unusual state of affairs when only three days remained before Christmas Day. Frowning, Tess peered through the large glass window, but though the lights were on the closed sign was up, and when she tried the door it was firmly locked. She swung round and stared at Jonty. ‘I don’t understand it; we never close this early and it’s not as though we didn’t have plenty of help,’ she said. ‘Gran said that although Janine is nervous of the animals she’s quite happy to take the money and so on, provided she doesn’t have to deal with the stock. Apparently she’s a really good salesperson . . . but you know all that. Goodness, I hope Gran’s in the flat . . .’

Jonty grinned. ‘I hope she’s not,’ he said. ‘It would be nice to have you all to myself for a change.’

Tess felt her cheeks warm. ‘You’ve had me all to yourself for ages,’ she pointed out. ‘Both at the farm and in the train . . .’

‘Pooh! You know very well there’s always someone around at the farm, and the carriage was so packed that folk were standing all along the corridor. And you refused to sit on my knee, though I thought it might be rather fun.’

Tess glared at him, but knew her lips were twitching. ‘As if I would sit on your knee in front of dozens of people,’ she said. ‘But let’s get up to the flat and see if Gran can tell us what’s happening.’

Tess tried the door and found it locked, so she produced her own key and let them in. They climbed the stairs briskly, but when they reached the top the flat was cold; the fire had either not been lit or had gone out, and of course there was no sign of Gran. Jonty looked round rather disparagingly, then dumped both the suitcases he was hefting down and turned to his companion. ‘Should I carry my baggage through to the living room? And then I think we ought to go round to Mr Payne’s place, see if he can throw any light on the mystery.’