Charlotte Miller was waiting for him at Rawleigh and Gates. Pearly wasn’t late, but apologised even so. Good practice in client relationship building, and Charlotte responded in kind. ‘No, no, it’s me. I wasn’t sure how long it would take me. I didn’t want to be late,’ she said. An attractive woman with a slightly affected brightness that didn’t entirely disguise anxiety. Pearly wasn’t surprised to be told that she was in the midst of a divorce and seeking a home for herself and her adolescent son. A woman staggering emotionally from the effects of a relationship breakdown and in the midst of it attempting to cope with the financial restriction that divorce often entails. He asked Kylie to make her a coffee, and Charlotte talked bravely about new starts and opportunities, but said nothing against her husband, or the reasons for separation. Pearly admired her for that reserve. Often, as both businessman and mayor, he received the full litany of such people’s pain and grievance, bore it from professional acceptance and also sincere sympathy. As he listened, he did wonder what had gone wrong, what malice or indifference, what slow divergence, or sudden eruption, had destroyed the marriage.

Maybe she should rent for a while, Pearly suggested finally. Just a few months until things were more settled and it was clear whether she wished to remain in town, and what she could afford. Not too long, however, as the market was on the up. Pearly told her he’d seen people wait too long and be priced out of owning a home. ‘It’s such a security, your own place, especially when there’s uncertainty in other parts of your life. I happen to know there’s a house that may be available for a few weeks or months quite reasonably while the owner’s readying the section for a second build. Would you like me to check?’

‘I’d really appreciate that. I think you’re right. Perhaps not rush into anything.’ She was endeavouring to be collected and calm, but there was a sad distraction in the quick movement of her eyes. She was suffering, and that pain had to manifest itself in some form. Pearly wanted to offer sympathy but knew that might be too much for her composure and could sound insincere from a stranger.

‘You finish your coffee,’ he said, ‘and I’ll pop into the outer office and make a quick call, see if the owner’s about.’