‘All right.’ Matilda agreed, then, remembering another danger, said: ‘Never ever answer the telephone. That would be fatal.’

‘Do many people ring up?’

‘No, but if I go to London and collect your money and you answered the telephone it would be known there was someone in the house.’

Hugh was bored by this meticulous planning.

‘Suppose you carry on exactly as though I were not here – let me keep out of sight. If someone does come in say I’m a friend of Claud’s or something.’

‘You are not his type. I’d say Mark, a friend of Mark’s.’

‘He has catholic tastes?’ Hugh was pleased not to be suitable fry for Claud.

‘Mark is straight hetero.’ Matilda smiled. ‘No problem there.’

‘I thought this Mr Jones fed Gus for you when you go away –’

‘He thinks I’ve given him away.’

‘Won’t he find out?’

‘Damn! Of course he will. When I go you’ll have to avoid him.’

‘I expect I shall manage. What would you be doing if I were not here?’

Matilda glanced at the kitchen clock. ‘I’d go to the village, do a little shopping, come home, have a snack, work in the garden, snooze in the sun, go to the sea if it’s fine.’

‘Then why don’t you do just that?’

‘There’s you.’

‘Don’t bother about me. Let me manage. I’m not half-witted. If you go to London I will be deeply grateful. I swear I won’t be seen. Why not go and do your shopping – carry on as usual?’

Matilda looked doubtful, then agreed. Hugh watched her drive down the lane with relief, glad to have the house to himself. The fuss she was making was tedious, all the more irritating since he felt he should be grateful.