‘Not visiting your wife today?’

Tom shook his head. ‘I’m taking a chores day. Optician, a visit to the bank, a spot of much-needed clothes shopping. I only seem to have five socks left with no holes in them and no two of those make a matching pair.’ He lifted his trouser leg a few inches to reveal a dark grey sock, then flashed a navy one from underneath the other.

‘Stop it.’ She laughed. ‘I need to keep my eyes on the road, especially until we get off these narrow lanes.’

‘They can be a bit scary, I suppose, if you’re not used to them. Let’s just hope we don’t meet a bloody great giant-sized tractor coming the other way.’

‘Now you are worrying me.’

‘Plenty of passing places. And we can always swap seats if you feel the need.’

‘I’m a perfectly competent driver, thank you.’

‘I’m only teasing you, Madi. I hope you know that.’

‘Of course. Now, is it left up here?’

‘Yep. Then just follow the signs.’

‘I must find a car wash too. Just look at the state of the windows. And you should see the wheels … yuk!’

‘I did notice, as I got in. Almost got mud on my socks. At least then I’d have had a matching pair. In muddy brown! Anyway, let’s not waste time in car washes. I can do it for you any time. I enjoy it actually. Messing about with a big bucket of suds and a squishy sponge. A real man’s job is that, second only to barbecuing sausages!’

Madi gave the windscreen another squirt and set the wipers onto high speed for a couple of swipes, which seemed to do the job at least well enough to see out. ‘Okay, you’re on.’

‘Glad to be of service. I just wish I’d offered sooner. That mud’s probably ground in by now. I’ll probably need a fish slice to scrape it off!’

‘Just not the same one you use for turning the sausages, eh?’ Madi joked, feeling herself relax as they turned out onto the main road.

Tom pointed out various landmarks as they drove along, regaling her with stories of his youth, places he’d worked, pubs he’d eaten in. It felt as if she was getting her very own guided tour, with insider knowledge only a local could provide.

‘You love this place, don’t you?’ she said.

‘What? The A47?’

‘No, Norfolk! It’s so clearly home.’

‘Has been my whole life, and I can’t see that changing.’

‘Have you given any more thought to young Donny and his theatrical dreams? All he needs is a bit of direction and support. An adult to take charge if need be, and help pull the thing together and sort out a bit of publicity. Find some sponsorship, even. I really think you’re the man to help him, you know.’

‘Something to give me an interest in life and stop me brooding at home alone, you mean?’

‘No, I don’t mean that at all. And I’m hardly the one to say that, considering it’s what I’ve been doing myself for the last few months. But it will give the local kids an interest, won’t it? And benefit the whole village, if you can bring a really good performance together.’