Ben glanced at her. ‘I don’t think it’s anything like as painful for dogs as it is for humans, unless one of the pups is breech, or something like that. Toby’s mother had an elective Caesarean.’

Thea winced. ‘That’s more scary. But what worries me is that we don’t even have a telephone number for a vet, let alone know where one is.’

‘We should try and find out about one.’ He paused and sniffed.

‘Oh, my God! The chops!’ Thea fled to the kitchen, turned the chops and poured boiling water on the peas. When she came back she said, ‘The trouble is I haven’t a clue where to start looking for vets. I don’t know anyone to ask, either. Except Susan – she’s Rory’s “wee girl” who comes in to clean. But I don’t know where she lives.’

‘Well, we may not need help. Oh. Here we go. Any minute now.’ Lara got on to her haunches and strained.

‘Should we get Toby?’

‘I hope he’s dropped off by now. It’s been a tiring day.’

‘I’ll just check. I’d feel mean if he were awake and we’d promised to let him know.’

She found Toby fast asleep in her bed, pulled the covers up over his shoulders and sped back, arriving just as another black bag appeared. ‘Toby’s asleep,’ she said, watching the puppy being shoved about by Lara’s huge, rough tongue. ‘It’s amazing how they’re just an amorphous mass and gradually take on puppy shape. It’s as if Lara’s a sculptor or something.’

‘I think it’s where the expression “licked into shape” comes from.’ He looked up. ‘If it’s ready, we could eat. There’s probably time.’

While he washed his hands, Thea cleared enough table for two plates and two glasses. She served up in the kitchen, adding a huge lump of butter to their shared potato. ‘I hope they found somewhere nice to eat and stay,’ she said, refilling her glass and waving the bottle questioningly over Ben’s.

He indicated that he would like some. ‘Yes. I don’t think Molly’s used to roughing it. Nor is Petal.’

‘Well, after all this, I hope you like the paintings.’

‘So do I.’

‘What will you do? Buy them all? Do sit down and start. We may not have long to eat this.’

‘We’ve probably got hours and I doubt if I’d be able to buy one, let alone the lot. No, I’ll try and talk a London gallery into giving him a show. They’re booked up years ahead, of course, but he’ll just have to wait.’