‘Oh, God, I hadn’t even thought about all that health and safety lark. You’d think, being a fireman for so long, that would have been top of my list, wouldn’t you? Fire exits, public liability insurance, all that malarkey …’

‘You’ll walk it. Now, I was thinking about storage. There’ll be props, costumes, and you may need to hire in some extra chairs. I was thinking maybe the little shed in Prue’s garden. Would she mind, do you think?’

‘The old darkroom, you mean? I can’t see why she should. It hasn’t been used for years, not since her grandad was alive. They used to spend ages in there when she was a kid. It’s where her love of photography began, with the science side of it, all the chemicals. Strings of prints, hanging up to dry. Like their own little washing line, it was! The place might need a bit of a clean out after all this time, to fight off the spiders, but it’s watertight, I think, so nothing’s going to get ruined if it rains. Good idea there, Madi. I’ll jot it down in the book.’

‘You sure you want to do this?’

‘Yes, of course.’

They were going to the care home to visit Barbara, and Madi noticed, as she climbed into Tom’s car, that there was a big carrier bag already waiting on the back seat.

‘Just a few bits,’ Tom said, spotting the direction of her gaze. ‘They feed her well enough, and keep her clothes clean, but there’s nothing quite like extra treats from home. She’s very partial to a bourbon biscuit but they hardly ever have them in the tin. And I’ve dug out a pair of warm slippers she’d hidden away in the wardrobe and never worn. Still had the label on them! The ones she’s got now are looking past their best.’

‘You are a very thoughtful man. She’s lucky to have you.’

‘It’s nothing. Just keeping her feet warm and her tastebuds catered for! I wish I could do more.’

‘Are you able to take her out? For a walk? Lunch? The theatre?’

‘I can. There’s no rules to say I can’t, but … well, to tell the truth, a short walk’s fine, if it’s somewhere quiet, but anything more would just unsettle her. Scare her, even. A strange place, people she doesn’t know. And watching a play would be pointless. She doesn’t have the concentration. Not any more.’

‘That’s a shame. But I’m a stranger. Are you sure …?’

‘Quite sure. You’ll be entering her environment, not dragging her out into yours. It’s safer. And you’ll be with me. It’ll be okay, honestly. She’ll like you.’

They drove in companionable silence for the rest of the way, Tom scooting along the lanes with enviable confidence, and pulled into the car park just before three.

‘Just in time for tea!’ he said, grabbing the bag from the back and running round to help Madi from the car.

‘I’m not an invalid, you know. You don’t have to …’