The bucket normally coped adequately with the small leak but the fault must have worsened because water was now trickling steadily over the top edge and spreading out across the floorboards.

He looked up. ‘I bet the wind has dislodged some tiles.’

She bent to study the wooden floor around the bucket. It was dark with moisture and more was overflowing every minute. ‘I know where there’s an old baby bath. I’ll go and fetch it.’

‘Thanks.’

When she got back, he’d moved the bucket and put an old tin tray in its place. The tray was already covered by a shallow film of water. She put the baby bath down and he tipped the water from the tray into it at the same time as he used his foot to edge the bath into place under the leak. ‘I’ll go and empty the bucket in the bathroom up here.’

When he got back, he looked glumly at the baby bath. ‘You might as well go back to bed, love. I’ll have to stay up to keep emptying the water. I won’t be able to do anything about fixing the leak till it’s light.’

‘I’ll never get back to sleep. The storm sounds to be right overhead. How about I bring you up a cup of cocoa?’

‘I’d murder for a hot drink. And could you bring my old sweater up with you as well? It’s going to be a long, cold night.’

‘We’ll keep each other company, then.’

‘Whatever did I do to deserve a helpmeet like you?’ he said softly.

‘Same goes for me. You make my ex seem like an alien from Planet Zog.’

It seemed ages till the storm passed and the rain eased. As soon as dawn lightened the sky, Angus went outside, squelching across the sodden lawn till he was far enough away from the house to peer up at the roof through his binoculars.

When he came back, he said, ‘A few tiles have been dislodged. They still look intact, though. I’ll go up and see if I can push them back into place. Then I really will have to do something about the roof.’

‘Can’t you get someone else to sort out the tiles? It’s three storeys above the ground.’

‘I rather like climbing. I’ve been up on that roof several times.’ He gave her one of his quick hugs. ‘Don’t worry. I won’t take any risks. I always wear a safety harness and line. I fitted the necessary anchor points years ago when I had to go up and repoint the ridge tiles.’

She nodded, but she stayed outside to keep an eye on him as he worked, and she didn’t stop worrying till he came down and put the ladder away.

‘Done. For the moment.’ He pretended to take a bow. ‘Oh ye of little faith.’

‘For a geek you’re surprisingly good at the practical stuff.’

‘Blame it on my dad’s training and all the holiday jobs I did as a student.’ He glanced at his watch. ‘I’d better get back to my computer.’