‘And Max seemed a bit twitchy too, as if he half expected Judith to go off on one. It was like he was edging her away from something. I suppose I might have upset her somehow without meaning to, and she’s cross and he was trying to keep the peace. It wouldn’t be the first time.’

‘The good thing about a big family like ours,’ says Sam, ‘is that there’s plenty of us to deflect rows and arguments so it never gets too intense. By the way, Fliss says she’s putting you in Lizzie’s old rooms so I hope you’ll be comfortable. They’re in the west wing so they’re best in the late afternoon and evening, though especially lovely in the spring.’

‘And you’re happy with that?’ Cara asks. ‘I know Lizzie’s very special to you.’

‘It will be nice to know they’re being used,’ he answers. ‘The thing with a house as old as The Keep is that the rooms have always belonged to someone else at some time, if you see what I mean. Did you enjoy the party?’

‘Yes,’ she says at once. ‘Yes, it was fun. Especially when all Jack’s friends came and joined in. I loved that. I was sorry that Cosmo couldn’t make it, though. Amy didn’t seem too upset but I wasn’t sure if she might just be putting on a brave face. I hope not.’

There’s a little silence.

He glances sideways at her. ‘You don’t trust him, do you?’

‘No,’ admits Cara. ‘I suspect him, but I’m not sure of what, and I don’t want Amy to be hurt. I’ve nothing to go on except … nothing. Just an instinct that he’s not playing straight. Did you find out why he had to rush away so suddenly?’

He shakes his head, slightly taken aback at her honesty.

‘No. Amy texted him but got no reply. I suppose it might depend on the nature of the emergency.’

Cara makes a little explosive sound of disbelief.

‘And the young man Amy spoke to at the pub?’

Sam begins to laugh. ‘Quick, aren’t you? His name is Al and he stands in when Cosmo’s not there. His parents own the house and the dog.’

She nods, as if she knows it already.

‘Odd, though, isn’t it,’ she says, ‘that Cosmo was called away in such a rush that he couldn’t warn Amy, but he still had time to organize Al and do the handover?’

Sam makes a little face. He can’t deny it. ‘You’re not very pleased with Cosmo, are you?’

She stares out of the window, biting her lip, almost as if she is going to tell him something, confide in him. Then she shakes her head as if deciding against it.