If it hadn’t been so important it’d have made a good comedy scene, Angus thought.

But it was important. Very.

When Grantby said he’d seen enough, Angus thanked Stacy and took his group round to Number Three.

Hobkins stood tapping his foot impatiently as it took a while for Elise to answer the door.

She was leaning on a stick, looking tired.

‘Is it all right for us to look round?’ Angus asked.

‘Of course. But I’d like to know who these people are first.’ She got a notebook out of her pocket.

Russell smiled at her. ‘Here’s my card. I’m Mr Denning’s lawyer.’

‘Thank you.’

‘Why do you need to know, madam?’ Hobkins looked aggressive. ‘You’re only a very temporary tenant. You’ll be moving out as soon as the houses are demolished.’

Angus was recording the conversation, so didn’t comment on a decision to destroy his property being assumed before it had even been examined.

The lawyer was looking more and more angry.

Thompson looked at Hobkins in surprise. ‘Why are you saying that? Not only have you only seen two houses, but as far as I could see, those houses were well built and have been recently modernised to a high standard.’

‘Mind your own damned business.’

‘This is my business. I’ve been employed to survey the houses and that’s what I’m doing. Though as far as I can see, this is all completely unnecessary and if a suspiciously unrealistic report is put in, I shall be taking it up professionally.’ He stared pointedly at his fellow surveyor and Grantby flushed slightly.

‘I too am a little concerned by your attitude,’ the lawyer added quietly.

When they’d finished, Angus again apologised to Elise for disturbing her and turned round to see Hobkins already getting into the car.

‘Probably one of the rudest officials I’ve ever had to deal with,’ Thompson said mildly.

The lawyer watched the car drive away. ‘He wasn’t like that before. I wonder what’s changed him? There’s definitely something fishy going on.’

‘I agree. And we’ll no doubt find out soon enough.’

‘They won’t have a legal leg to stand on, I’m sure.’

‘Unless they pull some other tricks. I wouldn’t put anything past them. I think I’m going to sleep in one of the empty houses for the next few nights.’

‘Sadly, I think that would be a wise precaution,’ the lawyer said. ‘There have been rumours in the past about sudden, unexpected problems to property that had been checked and declared sound structurally. Better safe than sorry.’

‘I’ll just take another set of photos of the row and dictate my findings, while things are fresh in my mind,’ Thompson said.

‘Come and have a cup of coffee at the big house before you go.’

‘I can’t, I’m afraid. I have wall-to-wall appointments today. I’ll send you a summary of my findings this evening. I think you should definitely keep a good watch over the houses.’

‘I too have to go,’ the lawyer said. ‘I’m glad I was here to see for myself how you were treated.’