When Helena was in bed, reading a couple of pages of her book, she realised she’d spent the nicest evening with a man that she had for a long time. She had resolved to give Amy a little lecture on the benefit of platonic friendships when she stopped herself. Much better to stick to Jago’s plan of letting everyone think they were together. Then Amy would stop going on about her trying to find a boyfriend. She could say she had one and Jago would back her up. She felt very satisfied, not to say smug. Helena was glad now that Amy, after her brave words about checking Jago out, had confessed to her that she actually had her eye on someone else just at the moment and so wouldn’t mind Helena claiming Jago. Everyone would be happy! She even fancied Jago a bit, which would make the whole charade a bit more realistic. Result!

It was about ten when Jago turned up the following day. He was holding the empty shortbread tin.

‘I can’t believe you’ve eaten it all already!’ Helena said when she saw him.

‘No, although it was absolutely delicious. I put what I didn’t eat into another box. I popped over to arrange a time to go and see this building.’

Aware that he was busy and it was very kind of him to try to find her somewhere for her loom, Helena said, ‘When is good for you?’

‘Now, actually. I could start another job but then I’m due over at another part of my vast empire.’ His tone was expressionless and it made Helena smile.

‘I could do now too. Just let me get a jacket. It’s still not warm, is it?’

A few minutes later she swung herself up into his pickup.

‘It’s not far, we could walk really, but we’re both busy,’ he said. ‘It’s an old barn I’m converting. But it’s not a priority – haven’t currently got the cash to do it up.’

‘I’m never sure about barn conversions,’ said Helena. ‘How on earth do you heat them? They’ll never be cosy with the heat going straight up to the rafters, which would get dusty and be hell to clean.’

He laughed. ‘You’re probably right about the rafters, but underfloor heating solves the other problem. This’ll have a wood burner as well. For the look of it really. When I’ve finished, it’ll be energy neutral, more or less.’

‘Oh, very green!’

‘I try to be. I hope to sell this one for loads of money and then I can reinvest in some more affordable housing.’

‘Very philanthropic,’ she said, but more seriously this time.

‘I try to be,’ he repeated.