‘Well then, would you come and work for me?’

‘If you need something doing, you don’t have to pay me, Auntie Elise.’

‘I need a lot doing.’ She made a sweeping gesture with one arm. ‘This whole house has to be cleared. That’s far more than I can ask your help with as a favour. Besides, I’d rather pay you than a stranger. With your help, I might just get through most of the clearing out before you have to go back to university.’

Harriet stared at her intently, as if trying to read her mind. ‘You’re not just making up a job to help me?’

‘On the contrary, I’m quite desperate for help. I have to get this house ready to sell and I’m not even walking easily yet. You passed your driving test recently, didn’t you, even if you don’t own a car?’

‘Yes. First time, actually. My instructor said I was a natural.’

‘I have a car sitting idle because I’m not allowed to drive it yet. It’s automatic, quite easy to drive.’ She hesitated, then added, ‘If it doesn’t upset you, I’d be grateful if you could stay here while we’re working, then you can drive me to the shops and help a bit with the housework and meals. I’m still rather limited in what I can do, and I don’t really enjoy cooking, anyway.’

She found herself being ruthlessly hugged again and mentally thanked Victor for leaving her such a practical bequest. He hadn’t left her enough money to upset her because he was respecting her pride. But she knew how wealthy he was, and his nephew didn’t seem at all upset about the money, thank goodness. It was enough to make a huge difference to her. She’d be able to pay her niece for helping and tide herself over till she could sell the house.

In the meantime she could prepare for another exhibition of her paintings at the same art gallery which had suggested holding one before her accident and was still keen to do so. That’d bring in a little more money. And she had a small old age pension as well.

There was just one thing left to worry about. ‘What will your mother say?’

‘Don’t worry, Auntie Elise. I’m used to managing Mum. I’ll get Dad on my side first, then tell her I’ve got a job as a general factotum. She’ll say how pleased she is about the job before I tell her I’m working for you. I don’t think it’ll really worry her even then, because she knows how badly I need the money. She fusses a lot but she’s very practical and her advice is usually worth listening to.’

Harriet grinned and added, ‘If she’d only wait till she was asked for advice it’d be a lot easier to accept it, though.’

They both chuckled at that.

They started work that very day and with Harriet’s help and willing young body, Elise was able to make a start. She threw out a lot of ‘stuff’ ruthlessly but was rewarded by finding some old treasures she’d forgotten about, even her childhood doll’s house, which had belonged to her grandmother and which she’d always loved.