Paula stood up and peeped at the contents of the saucepan. Before she’d gone off with Dan she’d only had time to brown some mince and onion and add some tomato paste. It was now a delicious-smelling concoction with diced vegetables and a light gravy sauce. Paula reached for a spoon and took a little sip. It tasted as divine as it smelled. Another saucepan simmered alongside. She lifted the lid to reveal potatoes.

A bump and footsteps from outside sent her scurrying back to her seat like a naughty schoolgirl. Tarzan sat up, tipped his head to one side to look at her then flopped down again. What am I doing, she berated herself. This is my house.

Rowena burst into the room carrying a box. “I’d forgotten all about these things.” She put the carton down on the floor then went back outside.

Paula stared at the box, half expecting something to pop out of it.

Rowena returned, struggling with a large object draped in a sheet. She became quite animated.

“Dan’s father made this before Dan was born. When I came across the box of baby clothes in the cupboard, I remembered it was out in the shed.” She pulled off the sheet with a flourish, to reveal a small wooden rocking horse. “It’s amazing it’s still in such good condition.”

Tarzan pattered over to sniff at the horse and Paula stood up and ran her hand over the beautiful dark wood. It had leather reins and real hair for its mane and tail. She gave it a gentle push and it moved back and forth with ease. “It’s beautiful.”

“Daniel was very clever with his hands. As soon as the pregnancy was confirmed he started work on this. He would be pleased to know his grandchild had inherited it.”

Paula felt tears brim in her eyes. “What a special gift. Thank you.”

Rowena lifted the box onto the table. “I’m not much of a hoarder but I do like to keep special family items.”

Paula glanced quickly back at the horse. She was reminded of the old curtains Rowena had given her a few months back. They had belonged to Dan’s grandmother when she’d lived in this house. Paula had washed them and, to her horror, they’d fallen apart. She’d hidden them but Rowena had eventually found her out.

Rowena lifted a tissue-wrapped bundle from the box and sat it on the table. “My mother made this for Dan. She was very nimble with her fingers.”

Paula stepped forward and carefully peeled back the tissue. Inside was a cream shawl. She ran her hands over it and felt the softness of the wool.

“Open it out,” Rowena commanded.