‘And what about you?’ Pip asked. ‘You’re going to have this place looking tip-top pretty soon. You’ll need a new project.’

‘I thought I might check out the local theatre,’ said Evelyn, surprising herself as this was the first time the thought had crossed her mind. ‘They’re bound to need volunteers to help with front of house and what have you.’

‘But don’t you want to be on the stage?’ said Pip. ‘In the spotlight?’

Evelyn thought she was probably right, but she didn’t want to run before she could walk, and it had been a very long time. She wasn’t even sure she could learn lines any more.

‘Let’s just start with selling programmes,’ she said, ‘and see where we get to.’

‘I think that’s a great idea, though,’ said Pip. ‘And I’m sure they’ll be delighted to have a professional on their books. I can come and see you,’ she added. ‘I’ve never known anyone in a show before.’

Evelyn smiled. Pip’s enthusiasm for life seemed to have grown a little each time they met. It was lovely to see.

‘And I thought I might look some people up, from the old days,’ Evelyn added. ‘Although I’ve no idea who might still be alive.’

‘You’re not that old!’ said Pip. ‘You do know that seventy is the new . . .’

‘Sixty-nine,’ offered Evelyn, and they laughed. ‘I do wonder what happened to dear old Ted, though. I really did let him float away.’

Pip opened her mouth to say something, but then seemed to think better of it.

‘So, are you going to start looking for flats?’ Evelyn asked.

‘Maybe,’ said Pip, but she didn’t look as doubtful as she had moments before.

‘I never got to see Scarlet all grown up,’ said Evelyn, ‘but if she had turned out half as well as you, Pip, then I would have been very, very proud.’

Pip looked delighted. ‘Oh, Evelyn,’ she said. ‘That’s the nicest thing anyone’s said to me for ages. I’m sure Scarlet and I would have been really good friends. We might even have known each other.’

Evelyn raised a sceptical eyebrow.

‘Okay,’ conceded Pip. ‘Given how fast I deserted Southwold I suppose that’s not that likely. But if we had met, then I’m sure we would have got along.’

‘I think you would have, too,’ said Evelyn.

‘And I think she would have been proud of you as well,’ said Pip. ‘The way you’re turning things around, getting the house straight, joining the theatre group and all that. I think she’d have been delighted.’