Max slows his steps, not knowing who the young man is but fairly certain that he’s not a local. He knows that he’s seen him around, in the Coffee Shop, in Cranch’s, and he wonders if Jack knows him. Max follows them along the edge of the creek, unable to decide if he should turn back or whether he should catch them up and seek an introduction. But, after all, it’s none of his business. Yet he continues to follow slowly until they round the head of the creek, climb some steps and disappear into the garden of a converted barn.

Still puzzled, Max calls to Oscar and turns for home.

Jack lets himself in, checks that Amy’s not at home and then sits down at the kitchen table to study the programme for the Barn Theatre. He’s hoping that Cara will accept another invitation to go with him to the opera, and wonders if she’s decided where to live. He can’t understand why she simply doesn’t take a let in the town for the winter and postpone the final decision, but she is unwilling to commit.

‘You’re dithering,’ he told her. ‘No good comes of that. Make a decision and go for it.’

She laughed at him. ‘You make it sound so simple.’

‘It is. What can go wrong with taking a six-month let while you continue to look around? You said you won’t want to be with Max once Judith comes back.’

‘Only because I shall feel like a spare part hanging around,’ she said quickly. ‘You know what I mean.’

He grinned at her, raising his eyebrows, indicating that he knew just how tricky it might be to live with Judith, and she tried not to smile back. He knew she didn’t want to be disloyal and he changed the subject.

‘Der Rosenkavalier is on next week,’ he said casually. ‘Fancy another night at the opera?’

‘Yes, please,’ she answered at once, and he was gratified at her swift response. He’s surprised at how important she is becoming to him; at how the prospect of her company brightens his day.

‘I’ll check it out and let you know,’ he said.

Now, he picks up his phone and texts her with the date, glances at the mail Amy has left on the table and wonders what he might eat for supper and whether she will be in tonight. Just lately Amy’s been in an odd kind of mood but she’s always been difficult to pin down. Nevertheless he worries about her.

‘Still seeing Cosmo?’ he asked her casually, a few days ago.

She shrugged. ‘On and off,’ she answered. ‘Why?’

It was his turn to shrug. ‘Just thought it might be nice to meet him. Why not bring him round? Or we could meet up in the pub for a pint.’

She hesitated, looked uncomfortable, and he felt uneasy.