‘Absolutely,’ he answered, swinging around at the sound of her voice. ‘The library is a gem, and what a sense of calmness ye have created in here. I like your choices, how ye’ve been very careful not to fill up space with needless stuff.’

She nodded. ‘I hate a lot of stuff, as you call it; much prefer a sense of airiness, spaciousness. Well, I’m glad you approve. So, come along, supper is ready. Claudie is about to put the dishes on the sideboard in the dining room.’

Blackie asked, ‘Who is Claudie?’

Walking alongside him down the corridor, Angela explained, ‘She’s my helper, a devoted friend of many years. Her mother Clara was my aunt’s housekeeper in Harrogate, when I was growing up. They lived with us at the house near The Stray. When Clara died, we took Claudie on. She had no other family and nowhere to go, you see.’

‘That was kind of ye,’ Blackie ventured, a strong hint of admiration in his voice. He glanced down at her, thinking what a nice person she seemed to be, thoughtful of others.

The dining room took him by surprise as they entered. After the paleness of the pine-panelled library and the all-cream drawing room, they stepped into a dark green-and-white room. Green walls and draperies, with white paint on all the doors, wood trim and the ceiling. The chair frames were also painted white, and all the chair seats were of deep green brocade. It was handsome, he decided, and a nice change.

Angela looked up at him. Observing the surprise on his face, she burst out laughing. ‘A bit of a shock, eh, Blackie?’

He nodded, chuckling, and then turned as he heard the click of heels on the wooden floor. A young woman wearing an apron was walking in carrying a tray. He wanted to go and help her, but instinct told him he should not. So he remained put, out of his depth as a guest in this house.

Once the tray was put down on a side table, the young woman turned and nodded. ‘Good evening,’ she murmured.

‘Claudie, come and meet Mr O’Neill,’ Angela said, before he could return the young woman’s greeting.

She did as Angela had asked and hurried to join them. Angela said, ‘Blackie, this is Claudette Bouvier, who helps me in the kitchen.’

Blackie, thrusting out his hand, said, ‘I’m pleased to meet ye, Miss Bouvier.’

Claudette took his hand. ‘And I am happy to meet you, Mr O’Neill.’ With a small nod, she went back to the tray on the table and began to place the dishes on the sideboard. He noticed she was being very careful.