‘Is big market!’ Nick interrupted. ‘Famous! People come from all over country …’

‘It’s a great place to sell,’ Paul went on, opening cupboard doors in search of mugs. ‘In fact, it’s difficult to get a pitch − you have to apply months in advance and go on a waiting list. This year I’ve managed to get one, only an outdoor one, but …’

‘And that’s where you’re taking the chairs?’ I still didn’t see where I fitted in.

‘Is good pitch,’ Nick told me. ‘Double size … So when Paul tell me, I say I pay half rent, he put things on for me …’

‘That’s a good idea!’ I said innocently. Looking back, I can’t believe how blindly I fell into his trap.

‘Is good!’ he agreed, chuckling. ‘So, you go? Yes?’

‘Sorry?’

‘You go fair, with Paul. Sell stuff.’

I gaped at him. ‘Just a minute …’

‘I’m sorry, Juno.’ Paul had finished fiddling with the tea things and he sat at the table. ‘I can’t do it on my own. It takes two to run the stall all day. The friend who was going to come with me can’t make it. I’ve asked around but I can’t find anyone who’s free on Friday—’

‘We’re talking this Friday. Do you mean tomorrow …?’ I interrupted.

‘No, no,’ he reassured me, ‘next week. Nick’s obviously not up to it, but when I mentioned it to him, he thought that you might be available.’

‘Well, that’s because Nick likes to forget that I work for anyone other than him!’ I responded, narrowing my eyes at him.

Nick just chuckled. ‘But you like it, Juno. Is fun.’ He patted my hand. I could cheerfully have slapped him. ‘You take only few things for me. Rest, you choose.’

‘What?’ I asked suspiciously.

‘You choose, from junk. Take things you like. Sell. We split money. Fifty-fifty.’

‘I can’t.’

‘But you will like, Juno. I know.’

‘That’s not the point, Nick. I can’t let my Friday people down.’ I frowned. ‘Why can’t they hold this fair on a Saturday?’

He shrugged. ‘It’s traditional.’

Paul was pouring tea by then. He waggled the can of evaporated milk at me, dark eyebrows raised questioningly. I shook my head. ‘Why don’t you give Juno a chance to think about this?’ He slid a mug of tea towards me. ‘Let us know if you can work things out. If you want to, that is,’ he added, grinning at me warmly. Strangely, I did want to, and it had nothing to do with selling Nick’s junk.