‘It would be so handy. You could see so much more of Ismene than you usually do,’ explained Cressida. ‘You’re always saying you don’t see enough of her.’

‘That is true, Grandma,’ said Ismene. She was a solemn, truthful child. Helena liked her but found her a little unnerving.

‘But you already live quite near,’ said Gilly, ‘I don’t see why you moving would make me see more of Issi – Ismene,’ she corrected herself quickly.

‘Cress wants to go back to work full time,’ said Martin.

‘Then you’d need this space for a nanny,’ said Gilly quickly. ‘But I still don’t see how you’d afford this house.’ She smiled at Cressida. ‘Unless you’ve been offered a really well-paid job, which of course you so deserve and could obviously do.’

While Helena was privately vomiting at her mother’s obvious sucking-up to Cressida, she did wonder if there was a hidden message in her flattering words.

‘Ah!’ said Cressida. ‘Although I have got a job offer with a very good package, this is where we come to our exciting plan!’

‘Which is?’ said Gilly.

Helena recognised a hint of steel in her mother’s gentle enquiry.

Some of Cressida’s confidence left her. ‘Gilly, we think it’s time you thought about downsizing. Although you’re amazing for your age, you’re not getting any younger.’

‘Not even you are doing that, Cressida,’ said Helena.

‘My age?’ said Gilly, her tone a combination of bemused and affronted. ‘I’m still in my fifties! Surely I don’t have to be thinking about my age yet!’

‘The bed and breakfast is a lot of hard work,’ persisted Cressida. ‘You often say so.’

‘But Mum loves her B & B!’ said Helena. ‘Are you suggesting she gives it up? And even if you are, there’s no reason why she should move into a granny annexe.’ Helena was aware she was being disingenuous; she knew what was coming but she wanted Cressida and her brother to say it.

‘It’s about repurposing her property,’ said Cressida.

‘What?’ said Helena, no longer bothering to sound polite. ‘I do wish you’d speak in plain English sometimes!’

‘That is English,’ said Ismene. She was looking confused now.

‘It is English, darling,’ said Gilly, ‘but the meaning isn’t exactly clear.’

‘What exactly do you mean by “repurposing”?’ said Helena. ‘Do you mean convert it into executive second homes?’

‘No, of course not!’ snapped Martin. ‘Get off your hobby horse, Hels.’

‘We would never suggest doing anything to your lovely home!’ said Cressida. ‘But you are sitting on a lot of very valuable real estate and if you sold it, you could help Helena buy somewhere to do her weaving and we could buy our new house and you could live with us!’