‘So you met through work?’ Helena went on, hoping she’d get the whole story.

‘Not at the time,’ said Jago. ‘I met Fred after it had all gone horribly wrong.’

‘Oh?’ Helena felt she had to keep prompting because both Fred and Jago were so reluctant to tell her what had happened.

‘For some reason,’ said Jago, ‘I got all the flack, the doorstepping, pilloried in the press, all that stuff.’ He paused. ‘Long sessions with the police which actually worked in my favour in the end because I got to know one of the younger ones. He was my contact when I wanted to find out about that Leo your mother was going out with.’

Fred wasn’t interested in any upsides, he was too indignant. ‘You got that because your uncle kindly redirected all the stuff that he should have dealt with to his nephew.’ Outrage gave Fred energy and he seemed to have stopped being old and frail for the time being. ‘He blamed everything on the apprentice who was working his way up from the bottom, to keep himself out of prison.’

‘Is that true?’ Helena was outraged.

Jago nodded. ‘I was in a bad place in every way when I met Fred.’

‘We met at the site of the fire, by coincidence,’ said Fred. ‘I recognised him, we got chatting and I offered to teach him bricklaying.’

Jago grinned. ‘You told me it was time I got calluses on my hands and actually learned how to build. He took me on, and I learned my trade.’ He paused. ‘I decided to change my name by deed poll before I did that. Grew my hair and a bit of a beard. No one recognised me.’

‘I never agreed with you having to change your identity,’ said Fred. ‘It looked as if you’d done something wrong.’

‘Maybe it was cowardly, but I was so ashamed of my name, I didn’t want to be known by it any more.’

‘How did you choose your new name?’ asked Helena.

‘Jago was a nickname from school, and Pengelly was my grandmother’s name. There is a Cornish connection so I’m not a complete fraud. Anyone else for more tea?’

While he was out of the room Fred said, ‘We’ve kept in touch and he’s always helped me out if I’m in bother. He’s supported my family, too. Not with money but with jobs and accommodation once or twice. He’s built a new life for himself. I’m proud of him.’

Helena’s throat suddenly closed with emotion as she realised she felt proud of him too.

After Jago had brought the tea, he went out again and came back with a bowl of jelly and ice cream for Fred. ‘My favourite,’ he said happily as Jago put it in front of him.

‘I suppose it’s nice and easy to eat,’ said Helena.