‘Gosh. That takes me back. I’ve taken that role twice. Which one did you see? Was it the one at Chichester, or the modern version where I floated down the river in a crochet bikini?’

‘The former, I believe. But I think I’d have been even more likely to remember if I’d seen the bikini version!’

Madi could feel herself blushing. Ridiculous at her age!

‘I’m just amazed you remember me at all, after all these years. I’m not exactly Dame Judi, am I?’

‘Fine acting leaves its mark, my dear. You don’t have to be famous for that. Performance is everything, not who you might or might not be. And I’ve got the memory of an elephant, me. Some would say the ears as well!’ He laughed and made to walk away.

‘Oh, wait. Please. Would you like to come over, for a cup of tea maybe? A slice of cake? Not home-made, I’m afraid, but …’

Tom stopped and grinned. ‘Thought you’d never ask!’ he quipped, and strolled down to the bottom of the garden to a small gate that she hadn’t noticed until now, buried in the wall, and stepped through from his garden into hers.

‘I’m afraid these chairs are a bit mucky,’ she said, getting up. ‘It’s none too warm and, as you can see, I’m in my slippers, so I think we’d be better off indoors. Perhaps … your wife …?’

‘No, she won’t be able to join us.’ He shook his head. ‘If that’s what you were going to suggest. She’s not here at present. Nor likely to be, I suppose, if I’m honest about it. It’s a long story.’

‘Fair enough.’ Determined not to pry, Madi simply led him along the path and into the kitchen.

‘Oh, dear, it’s a bit chilly in here, isn’t it? It was warmer outside!’ Tom rubbed his hands together and blew on them in an exaggerated manner. ‘Seems to me you haven’t quite got to grips with the heating. It can be tricky, that fire.’

‘You’re right there. I’ve managed to get it lit a couple of times, in the evenings, but it soon goes out again. I’ve been making do with hot drinks and a blanket.’

‘Well, that won’t do, will it? You get that kettle on and I’ll take a look, shall I?’

‘You know about fires?’

‘I do. More used to putting them out than getting them started, mind. I was a fireman, man and boy. Retired now, of course. Still, these log fires aren’t that tricky once you get the hang of them. I’ve got one similar, so I know the ropes. Now, where are the matches?’

It didn’t take long for Tom to not only start the fire but give Madi instructions so she would be able to manage it herself in future. ‘Simple when you know how,’ he said, smiling at her as he sat down opposite her at the kitchen table and spooned sugar into the mug of tea she put down in front of him. ‘Sugar for you?’