It was large and had windows at both ends and at first glance seemed to be several kitchens joined together. Helena realised that although the principle of adding bits together was the same in here as it was outside, the effect wasn’t as pleasing. It was obviously a work in progress.

Jago reappeared with a bottle of brandy. ‘I feel terrible. It never occurred to me you’d feel claustrophobic. You really should have told me.’

‘I hoped I’d grown out of it,’ said Helena, feeling a bit foolish.

He frowned and shook his head but she couldn’t tell if she was the one he was annoyed with, or himself. ‘I’ll put the kettle on too. It’s what people do when they don’t know how to be really helpful.’

‘A cup of tea would be quite helpful, and I’d actually prefer it to brandy right now, if you don’t mind.’ She watched him make the tea. ‘You haven’t exactly got all mod cons in here yet, I notice.’

He laughed. ‘This room at least has leccy and running water, which is a bit scarce everywhere else, so as far as I’m concerned this is full-on luxury.’

‘How do you manage without electricity?’ Helena asked, her interest in her surroundings growing.

‘Torches. And I have a big industrial light that’s plugged in elsewhere. That works.’ He laughed again. ‘Everyone I know thinks I’m mad to live on site but I’m trying to do this whole thing as cheaply as possible. Why waste money renting?’

Helena shrugged and sipped her tea.

‘Now, how can Zuleika and I repay you for being so noble and overcoming your claustrophobia to rescue her kitten?’

‘I suppose letting me stay in my studio for another three months isn’t an option?’

Jago frowned and bit his lip, but then smiled and shook his head. His crooked, quirky smile lit up his grimy, unshaven face like an industrial light in a house without electricity. ‘What about another cup of tea and sandwich instead?’

Helena shrugged and smiled back. ‘If that’s all that’s on offer, it is about lunchtime, I suppose. But I’m a bit muddy to eat.’

‘One day there’ll be a wet room with a waterfall shower head. Currently it’s a bucket and a sponge, taking me back to my car-washing days.’

‘I’ll just go back to my studio then, but thank you for the offer.’ She started to stand up but he was up before her.

‘Go back and shower but, please, come and eat the sandwich afterwards. Or I’ll just feel terrible.’

Helena considered telling him how terrible it was knowing one was about to become homeless, and, more importantly in her case, studio-less. While she could always stay with her mother, her large loom could not – it took up far more space than she did. But what was the point? ‘OK.’