He snorted when they finished their explanation. ‘If Hedley Preece says the houses are safe, they are. He’s a stickler for the truth. Not that I won’t check things out for myself. But I don’t expect to find any problems.’

Russell Alexander arrived soon afterwards and they introduced him to Thompson. He stopped to study the row of houses. ‘They don’t look tumbledown to me.’ He looked questioningly at the engineer.

‘You can’t tell for certain until you’ve done some checks, but my first impressions are good. You’re a lucky guy, Denning, to own all this property.’

‘I know. But it’s a big responsibility and has all sorts of problems, not just structural.’

‘I know: developers and greedy councils. Seen it all before. People always wanting to dip their fingers into other people’s pockets.’

‘Or take the whole pocket away,’ Nell said grimly.

They showed the two men the first house and the hidden room.

‘Should we reveal this, to show them how important this house is?’

‘If they don’t need to know something, don’t offer the information at all,’ the lawyer said. ‘They aren’t the sort of men to be impressed by history.’

‘I’m glad you said that. We’re afraid Dorling might send someone to destroy this room in the hope of making the house worthless.’

‘He won’t get a chance if you don’t tell the guy from the council,’ Thompson said. ‘What a treasure this is! I’m coming back again when they open it up to the public.’

‘So am I,’ Russell said softly.

As they were leaving Number 1, a large silver car drew up. Hobkins and another man got out and stood looking at the houses, muttering to one another and not even attempting to exchange greetings with the proprietor.

‘Hobkins’ manners used to be better than this,’ Thompson said with a frown. ‘What’s got into him?’

‘Arrogance, I should think,’ Nell said. ‘He thinks he holds all the winning cards.’

‘Don’t go across to them,’ the lawyer murmured. ‘Let them come to you.’

It was a few minutes before the newcomers moved across and Hobkins looked at them sourly as he at last introduced his companion. ‘This is John Grantby, a structural engineer who advises the council sometimes.’

The other man nodded, not cracking even a hint of a smile.

Angus frowned. ‘Just a minute. Are you not employed by the council?’

Hobkins answered for him. ‘Mr Grantby is a consultant we bring in sometimes.’

Thompson stepped forward. ‘Haven’t seen you for a while, Grantby. Who are you working for now?’

‘I run my own consultancy.’

‘You were with Dorling and Cavendish last time I heard.’

‘Well, I’m not now.’

Hobkins had been scowling at the lawyer. ‘There is no need for a lawyer to be here. You’re wasting his time and your money.’

‘I’m not letting you into the houses without him being present.’

Grantby looked at his watch. ‘Nothing a lawyer says will change the state of the houses. Can we just get on? I have another appointment to go to.’