My life might be much smaller, but in many ways it’s so much bigger.

‘Evelyn can be very persuasive, I’ll give her that,’ says Valentine, undoing his seatbelt. ‘She’s roped me in to help decorate.’

‘She has?’

We both climb out of the Land Rover and I pull forward the seat to let Harry out. I don’t like him jumping out of the back with his arthritis, though it’s improved dramatically since I started him on the turmeric that Valentine recommended.

‘Though she called it volunteering.’ He raises an eyebrow.

‘On the phone she mentioned something about getting together an army of volunteers.’

‘“Army” is the right word. More like bloody conscription,’ he grumbles, slamming the door of the Land Rover. I catch his eye across the bonnet and he cracks a sheepish smile. ‘Only joking. I’m more than happy to help get the place back up and running again. When it closed down, it was a real blow for a lot of folk.’

‘She said works have already started.’

Valentine nods. ‘Evelyn’s not one to hang around. She nursed Charlie for a long time; afterwards, it was as if she had to make up for all the time she’d lost.’

The summer showers have stopped and we start walking across the car park, Valentine carrying his gift in a carrier bag, Harry trotting beside us. I think back to our phone call. Apparently the parish council invited local building companies to submit quotes for the work, but it was no surprise to anyone when Ben’s company was the winning bid. Not only had his been the most competitive, and his firm had the best reputation, but like Evelyn said, ‘This is a community project, and Ben and Stanley are very much part of the community.’

‘What was Charlie like?’

‘Shy and softly spoken, but she had Evelyn wrapped around her little finger.’

‘She?’

‘Charlie was Evelyn’s wife. They were together for over forty years and married as soon as it was legal – their reception was held in the village hall.’ Reaching the front door of the reception, he pauses. ‘Like I said, it was special for a lot of people.’

His eyes meet mine and I nod in understanding. This isn’t simply about fixing the roof of a village hall, it’s about fixing the heart of a community, because that can be broken too.

‘Well, I won’t be long.’ Valentine straightens his shoulders, as if bracing himself. ‘Gisele gets tired easily these days.’

A look passes between us. The results of her recent blood tests have proved inconclusive, but the last few weeks she’s been spending more and more time in bed.

I want to give him a hug, but Valentine isn’t much of a hugger and stands awkwardly, hands by his sides.

I give him one anyway.

‘Take as long as you need.’

While Valentine is inside, Harry and I take a walk around the grounds. I called ahead to make sure it was OK, as so many places don’t allow dogs; but on the contrary, the senior staff nurse was very welcoming. ‘Of course! Just as long as he’s friendly and you keep him on a lead. Our residents love animals, especially dogs. We’ve found their presence brings a lot of benefits to those suffering from dementia.’ Which comes as no surprise to me, because Harry has brought so many benefits to my life too, so why should the care home’s residents be any different?