It was in a small town about twelve miles away, an area noticeably lacking in art galleries. As they drove through to find somewhere to park it seemed to be lacking in lots of things, being dotted with the plethora of empty shops that plagued many small town centres. She consulted the estate agent’s details she had purloined from Ben.

‘There’s only one property listed to rent here, although if that’s not suitable, there seem to be lots of others which might be. Why didn’t I think of coming to this town in the first place? I bet property is cheaper.’

‘I’m sure it is, but how are you going to get people in? I don’t think this town is exactly a mecca for art.’

Thea was indignant. ‘You’d be surprised! The surrounding villages are delightful – all sorts of artists and media types live in them, even if not in the town. They’ll love having great art on their doorstep.’

He looked at her and sighed. He didn’t say he thought she was doomed to disappointment, possibly because he knew enough about her by now to know that she wouldn’t listen.

They walked down the hill and cut through a little alleyway.

‘They call these laggars,’ said Thea conversationally. ‘I learnt that at a course on local history when I first came down here.’

‘Really? Where I come from they’re slips. I suppose it’s one of those words that never becomes a general term but just stays local.’

‘So, where do you come from?’

‘Wimbledon. It’s got very smart recently.’

They located the property on a street corner, just by the station. Until recently it had been a building society, but before that it had been a dress shop, prominent in the town, with huge plate-glass windows on two sides.

‘It’s wonderful,’ said Thea. ‘It’s so huge.’

‘Let’s go in before we get too carried away.’

While Ben struggled with the key, Thea wondered if he’d used the word ‘we’ in the patronising way adults did with children, or if he meant ‘both of us’. Naturally optimistic, she decided on the latter.

Inside, Thea was just as enthusiastic. There seemed to be so much space and light. It cried out to be something more exciting than just another financial institution.

Ben followed Thea as she went into the largest room, exclaiming on the building’s beauty. He didn’t point out the grubby carpet, the dark beige walls or the dirt.

‘It is a lovely space, you must admit that,’ said Thea.

He nodded slightly, like a man bidding secretly at an auction.

‘It’s just a pity there probably isn’t enough wall space,’ she went on.

Ben took a breath. ‘You could block out the windows, if you needed to, with fibreboard. You just build a framework and fix the board to it.’