‘Victoria sponge? Over chocolate? Never!’ Swiftly he took the box from her. ‘Come in, I’ll put the kettle on.’

He blurted out the invitation before thinking. He hadn’t had any visitors since the care workers came to move Gisele into the home. But it was too late now.

‘Oh, thank you.’

Stepping inside, she closed the door behind her as Harry appeared in the hallway, bashing their legs with his bushy tail.

‘Hello, have you missed me?’ Dropping to her knees, she began kissing and hugging him. ‘I know you’re not supposed to make a fuss at first, but I can’t help it.’

‘Neither can he, by the looks of things.’

Leaving them to their reunion, Valentine continued through to the front room. A few moments later they followed him.

‘I see he’s made himself at home.’

Bugger. She’d spotted the sofa with his blanket on it. He felt himself colour up. There was also evidence of biscuit crumbs. Valentine had discovered that Harry shared his fondness for custard creams.

‘He didn’t care much for his rug.’

As if to prove a point, Harry jumped nimbly onto the sofa and settled himself down.

They both pretended not to notice.

‘So what tea would you like, Olivia?’

He wasn’t going to call her by that silly nickname; no one ever called him Val.

‘Oh, I don’t mind – whatever you’re having, thanks.’

Valentine took the cake through to the kitchen and set about busying himself boiling the kettle, filling the teapot, finding teacups and saucers and side plates. His hands trembled. It was so long since he’d had guests and he felt absurdly nervous. He located a cake stand, stuffed in the back of a cupboard. He wished he’d got fresh flowers. Gisele always used to have them on the table. He made a note to put them on the list.

When he came out of the kitchen holding a tray, he found Olivia reading the back of one of his library books from the large pile on the side.

‘I’m doing my family tree,’ he offered in explanation. ‘Well, trying to.’

‘Genealogy is fascinating.’ She began flicking through the book and he felt pleasantly surprised by her interest. ‘I love that programme on the TV – what’s it called?’

‘Who Do You Think You Are?’ said Valentine, putting the teapot down on the table, along with the cake.

‘Yes, that’s it!’ She looked up then, her face filled with enthusiasm. ‘I love how they always discover such interesting stories about their ancestors – like their great-granddad was a highwayman, or they’re descended from Charles I.’ Putting the book back on the pile, she turned her attention to him. ‘What have you found out? Don’t tell me you’re related to royalty too.’

He gave a small laugh of embarrassment.

‘Well, to be honest, I’ve been doing it for years and not getting very far.’

‘Oh, really?’ She looked disappointed now. ‘Have you done one of those testing kits?’

Pausing from getting out the place mats from the dresser, Valentine frowned. ‘What are those?’