“Well, I’m fine. A little tired.” He opens the door wider, revealing the figure of Laurie’s mother. She interests me more now than when I’d first met her, because of Laurie. It’s obvious where his looks come from. She’s stunning even with grey in her hair and has the same slim figure and angular face as him. It soothes me a little to look at her, but then I realise that I’m staring, and I try to pull myself together. I return to the judge’s comment.

“Tired? Are you not sleeping well, sir?”

He stares at me with his mouth slightly open, and Endof chooses that moment to slip away from me and make his way into the house. Laurie’s mother dashes after him.

“And of course, you’ve brought your dog,” the judge says faintly. “Lovely,” he continues as there’s a crashing sound from the front room and a feminine shriek. He turns back to me. “I can’t deny that this is a bit of a surprise, Magnus.”

“Why? Because we aren’t friends?”

“No. Because it’s five thirty in the morning.” He looks behind him when there’s another screech. “And your dog just pissed up our curtains.”

“Oh, dear. I do apologise. He’s new,” I say vaguely, hoping that will suffice. “Could I come in, sir?”

He blinks. “What? Now?” I nod. “Why?”

I search for a reason. I can’t shake him until he gives me his stepson’s address. I realise I should have just gone to Lennie’s house or asked Luke but I can’t now. Finally, a reason comes to me. “Oh, I wanted to see your portrait,” I say, smiling at him calmly.

“You came here at five thirty in the morning to see my portrait, Magnus?” he says, looking as if he’s considering ringing for a special ambulance for me.

I nod, giving him a cocky smile. “Real art doesn’t pay attention to time, sir.”

He looks as if he’s giving serious consideration to shutting the door in my face, but at that moment, Laurie’s mother appears again. “You’re Magnus?” she says. “Laurie’s Mags?”

I bite my lip. “I am,” I say, unsure which statement I’m replying to, but the answer is the same for either question.

She grins widely, and to my surprise, she reaches out, grabs my arm, and tows me into the house. “Come in,” she says loudly.

“Lucy?” the judge says. “What the hell is going on?”

“This is Laurie’s Mags.”

He shakes his head. “I have no idea what is going on, but I fully expect to be the last one to know as usual.” He kisses his wife’s cheek affectionately. “I’m going back to bed,” he announces. “Call me when you decide that you’re going to enlighten me.”