‘She was full. I agreed to pay for a double room. It is the season. That was made clear.’

She had peeled her Golden Delicious in one long, curling wriggle of unbroken skin, held it up proudly on the prong of her fork.

‘Clever old you. Lots of practice?’

‘My father taught me. Useless information. He said it would encourage me to be patient. And diligent.’

‘Did it?’

She looked up at me quickly, the grey eyes steady. No smile. ‘Yes. It did. Both.’ She cut her apple into quarters, speared a piece and offered it to me. As it could very likely be the only thing she ever would offer me, I took it. Wood or no wood.

‘How long will he stay? You can’t keep him in a hotel for weeks?’

‘I’m going to have a real try at getting Jericho ready. I don’t know how long he’ll stay, or if he’ll like it, or me for that matter, when he gets here.’

‘You said your wife says he is sullen. He is?’

‘I don’t remember that at all. He was quiet, wrote, read a great deal, he was very pleasant as far as I remember. I was not the greatest father. I don’t mean that he was my little burst of pride and glory, or that Jesus would want him for a sunbeam. He was – is, I mean – a perfectly nice young man. Something must have gone wrong … he’s not extrovert at all. His mother and his sister are. Perhaps they have swamped him?’

‘Perhaps. Is that why he is coming?’

‘Florence, I told you. I don’t know. I have to find out. That’s all.’

We drove in glorious sunshine, under a brilliant blue sky, all the way through the pea-green pines to Jericho. The house, not the village.

Walking up through the rusted gate bearing its sign, Florence said suddenly, ‘I am sorry about my behaviour yesterday. I was idiotic, weeping, like a shopgirl. I apologize. You caught me off balance, you know?’

‘I think so.’

‘It had been a long day. First the clinic, with the new girl, then to the château. I expect I was over-tired. And the conservatory …’

‘I expect so. I took you by surprise.’

‘Yes. But I remember what you said and what I said. Nothing is forgotten. I am very, very grateful that you were so gentle, so kind.’

‘Oh for God’s sake, Florence! You make me sound like a … like a vet or something! I meant what I said, still do, I always will, and you can’t avoid the fact. I do love you. Am in love with you. I won’t embarrass you, I know the situation. But I am not going to give in. Now, today or ever. Understand?’