He joins us at the table and while we wait for service, we agree that the natural world holds secrets we can scarcely comprehend.

‘It’s so easy to confuse knowledge with wisdom,’ Evelyn says. ‘If we’re really so clever, then why are we so stupid?’

‘Wisdom?’ Bill isn’t sure. ‘Is the sea turtle wise? Or the dung beetle? Might a better word be instinct?’

Evelyn nods, and so do I, and within seconds we’re talking about Christianne again.

‘What she did was instinctive,’ I say. ‘She was listening to her body. Listen hard enough, and in her situation, I doubt you have much choice. You follow the path that seems most right, most natural, and who is anyone else to stand in her way?’

This little aperçu has put me, once again, on a collision course with Evelyn’s religious beliefs and I’m desperately trying to come up with a change of subject when Bill asks me whether I’ve heard any more about Andy.

‘I gather they’re still talking to him,’ I say. ‘You know the man much better than I do, but I sense he doesn’t scare easily, especially when he’s upset.’

‘And they really arrested him?’

‘They did. And that might have been a mistake on their part. Andy strikes me as very territorial. I know he resented the way they barged into that bungalow of his, and the same will be true of his life as a whole. My guess is he’ll say nothing. Which is his way of telling them to bugger off.’

‘Shrewd.’ Bill is smiling.

‘Of him?’

‘Of you, my dear. A shrewd judgement. Work with the man en plein air and you can’t help admiring his qualities. Show him a stretch of that coastal path that needs a bit of TLC, new risers, replacement timberwork, whatever, and he’s utterly undaunted. I just hope the police recognize the genuine article when they see it. In my book, the man can’t lie to save his life. Just wouldn’t see the point.’

The waitress arrives and takes our order. Bill declines to stay for the full cream tea but beckons us closer before he leaves.

‘We’ve been mulling over ways to mark Christianne’s passing,’ he murmurs. ‘Something simple, the kind of farewell we think might put a smile on her face. She’s been gone for nearly a week, so now might be the time for a little get-together. En plein air, again. In a setting of which she’d undoubtedly approve.’

‘Today, you mean?’ Evelyn gestures out at the rain.

‘Tomorrow. The forecast is much better. I took the precaution of checking.’

‘Where?’