‘Oh. Well. All right, then.’ She followed Kevin through the neglected gardens, thinking how much she’d like to take them in hand. She stopped for a moment as they got to the lawn, staring across at the house. ‘It’s a beautiful old place, even the rear elevation. The original builder worked hard to make it attractive, didn’t he? Look at those fancy roof-capping tiles, with the little gargoyles at each end. And I love the double row of gables.’

But Kevin was frowning at it. ‘Everything’s very shabby inside. It’ll need a lot of work.’

‘Shabby can be cured. And Jez needs something to occupy himself with, as well as his music, don’t you think? Besides, if the inside is half as attractive as the outside, it’ll make a lovely home. I bet it’s got moulded plasterwork ceilings and covings.’

‘It has. You’re obviously an enthusiast.’

‘I don’t like most modern buildings. So many of them look like piles of boxes dumped together by very young children. Architecture from the second half of the twentieth century is not generally something to be proud of.’ The back door opened before they got there and Jez appeared, beaming and nodding dismissal to Kevin before offering Sophie his arm.

‘I was worried you’d change your mind.’ He bent to kiss her cheek.

‘I’d have told you if I had. Actually, I’m dying to look round. I’ve never been inside.’

He set off, walking with his usual long-legged stride, and she tugged his arm to slow him down. ‘Don’t rush. Let’s take our time.’

They walked round the main reception rooms, discussing them animatedly, then along to a wing containing a former library. It was now a sad skeleton with bare shelves and a musty smell.

‘Such a pity,’ she murmured. ‘I wonder what happened to all the books. And there would have been a sliding ladder attached to that rail to get to the upper shelves. Why would anyone take that away? You must try to get a period piece to replace it.’

‘Yes, ma’am.’ He gave her a mock salute and a grin that made him look years younger. ‘And I think I should ask you to fill the shelves for me. I noticed you had rather a lot of books in your house.’

She pulled a face. ‘Too many. I’m always running out of space for them and having to buy another bookcase. But you should fill your shelves with things you like reading, Jez, not buy them by the yard or ask someone else to do it. It doesn’t matter what they look like, it’s what’s inside a book that counts.’

‘I’ll bear that in mind. The first one to be shelved can be your latest book.’

‘You’re reading my book?’

‘I’ve read it. And enjoyed it. As you said, it had a happy ending and left me feeling good. I wish life was like that. I’ve started on another one now.’

‘I feel flattered.’

‘You’ll have to sign them for me, just as I sign things for people. Now, come and see the other wing. I’m going to make it my music suite.’