‘I’ll check them out for you, see if they’re bona fide,’ he said immediately after she’d finished.

‘No, I’ll check them out. As soon as I get on line, I can email some contacts in England. In the meantime I can tell whether people are amateurs or near professionals, you know.’ She smiled. ‘I really don’t need you to act as watchdog over everything I do.’

He was silent, then admitted, ‘I’d like to help with something like that as well. I am aware of the conservation issues, but I’d never really had time to do much about it, apart from making donations. But you can’t avoid thinking about it these days and it does make sense to take better care of our environment.’

‘Everyone should make some effort. And donations are needed as well as workers. But maybe, once you’ve sorted out the rest of your business dealings, you’ll have time to do something in person?’ She’d like that, working together.

He smiled. ‘And I’m sure you’re going to show me what to do.’

She couldn’t help smiling back. ‘Yes. I probably am, once I’ve got to know this country better. I bought a couple of books today. But,’ she looked quickly sideways at him, feeling the need, as always, to gauge his mood before she revealed her own feelings, ‘it would definitely have been more fun to go out together today.’

‘I did send a message to say I was delayed.’

‘Great! Mr Saunders is delayed. Suspend all activity until he beckons. I’m not like that, Ben. I like to keep busy.’ She bit off more angry words. She must keep her temper in check. Their relationship was still too fragile to stand any real stress. His next remark both surprised and pleased her, however.

‘I should have rung you personally. I’m sorry, Megan. I will next time.’

‘I’d much prefer that.’ Honesty compelled her to add, ‘I’m just not – not used to this sort of dawdling life. I not only need something to do, I’d prefer it to be something worthwhile.’

She leaned across to kiss his cheek. His expression was unfathomable. He could hide his emotions better than anyone she had ever met, just switching them off in mid-sentence at times. When he spoke, however, he surprised her again.

‘I hope you’ll never get used to such a life. I admire your enthusiasm. I’m tying up the loose ends as quickly as I can, Megan, I promise you.’

She was surprised by the expression of distaste on his face. ‘You sound as if you hate it.’

‘Not hate it, no. But it would never have been my choice to go into this sort of business.’

‘Why did you do it, then?’