Ebenezer’s face remained a grizzled scowl, but his beard twitched, which I knew to be a good sign.

‘The dessert is white chocolate and sticky toffee pudding.’ Joan could try my portion. If she liked it, I’d have a biscuit instead.

Ebenezer shut the door. It was hard to tell, but I thought it might be slower than when he slammed it, so I took that as a yes.

Fifteen minutes later, as I sat, heart in my mouth, feeling more nervous than I had on my first ever date, Ebenezer’s back door creaked open.

As soon as he shuffled outside, I saw the reason for his delay, causing my throat to constrict with emotion. Dressed in a faded, crumpled dinner jacket and white shirt, with a paisley pocket square and matching tie, Ebenezer had even tidied his beard.

Joan wolf-whistled, causing an eye roll, but there was that beard twitch again, and I felt such a rush of warmth I had to blot my eyes on my napkin.

‘Well, I’m glad I got changed, now.’ It was another warm evening, and I’d swapped my work trousers for a strappy dress with a full skirt.

He grunted again. ‘It’s only respectful to look smart for a lady.’

‘You look an absolute dish.’

Now, that was definitely a smile.

Being a polite, tactful adult, there was no way I was about to start grilling Ebenezer for personal information. My eleven-year-old companion had no such qualms.

‘How long have you lived in Middle Cottage?’

‘I was born there.’

‘Woooahhh!’ Joan said. ‘That must be nearly a hundred years ago.’

‘Eighty-one.’ Ebenezer shoved in a large mouthful of beef, as if hoping to avoid answering any more questions. Joan didn’t take the hint.

‘How long have you lived there by yourself? I mean, were you ever married and do you have any children or did you have brothers or sisters or anything?’

‘Joan,’ I chided, glancing at Ebenezer.

‘It’s all right. Children are naturally curious. It’s a crime how quickly adults can stamp that out of them. I was married. My wife died fifteen years ago. We had a son but he’s dead, too. My sister lived here until she got married at seventeen. She died in childbirth a few years later.’

‘Oh my goodness. I’m so sorry.’ I was aghast.

Ebenezer shrugged. ‘Everybody dies. Hopefully won’t be too much longer for me.’

‘My mum might die,’ Joan added, smashing a chip into a blob of ketchup. ‘I mean, she might die soon.’

‘That’s very unfortunate.’

‘Joan, Dr Morgan said that she’s not going to die any time soon; she might be poorly for a while, but the medication is really helping.’