This was such good news that Thea couldn’t help a feeling of benevolence breaking over her. She smiled widely at the thought that she would soon be able to get into the attic, her bedroom and the bathroom, without tripping over the component parts of a dragon, a princess and a castle, all made of papier mâché and covered with Thea’s bin bags. ‘You might as well have some tea. She’ll be ages.’ And it’ll give us something to do, so we won’t have to talk, she thought.

Perhaps her glee was rather too much of a contrast from the grumpy woman he’d helped out of a dustbin because the man frowned. ‘I can’t stay long. I’ve got to get back tonight.’

‘Suit yourself, but if I don’t have something my tongue will cleave itself permanently to the roof of my mouth.’

‘Then, thank you,’ he said, looking somewhat surprised.

Her euphoria faded a little. Petal’s Uncle Ben appeared to have no social skills. Why didn’t he comment on the filthy weather or something?

‘Do you have far to get back to?’

‘Well, after I’ve dropped off Petal’s things, I’ve got to get back to London.’

That would take him at least three hours at this time of day. Thea found an unchipped mug and put a tea bag in it.

At that moment the phone rang. Thea manoeuvred her way across the kitchen and picked it up. It was an old and dear friend who liked a good half-hour per phone call, and that was if she was in a hurry. Thea talked to her for a couple of minutes, then took evasive action. She picked up a box of matches and a candle, kept there for the purpose, and lit the candle. Then she reached out into the hallway and held it under the smoke alarm. It shrieked obligingly. ‘Darling,’ she told her friend. ‘I’ve got to go. Something’s on fire!’

‘Sorry,’ she said to Petal’s uncle, who was looking at her with stunned amazement. ‘That always works. Although I do worry that I’ll have a real fire one day as a punishment. Now, where were we? Tea!’

‘I really mustn’t be long and I was supposed to call in on Molly – er – Petal’s aunt, too.’

‘You don’t have to have any, but I’m gasping.’

The man sighed. ‘Actually, so am I.’