Angus could hear Nell rustling some papers in the library, where she was still going through the records, but she must have done some preparatory cooking because a tempting smell greeted him as he entered the house. He stopped to sniff appreciatively and went into the kitchen to investigate.

Then he noticed that the table was set for four and the old child’s high chair had been brought out.

He stuck his head out of the kitchen door and called across the hall, ‘Did I know we were having visitors?’

She came to join him in the kitchen, plonking a kiss on his cheek. ‘No. It was a spur of a moment thing. I met Janey and Winifred at the shops and realised we hadn’t seen them for ages, even though they practically live next door. So I invited them and little Millie round for a scratch tea.’

Angus sniffed again. ‘That doesn’t smell like a scratch meal. Do you need a taster?’

‘Well, it’s a quickie recipe and no, I don’t need a taster, thank you very much. I’ve made it hundreds of times. It’s just a chicken casserole with a few bits and pieces added, and I’m using packets of pre-cooked rice and frozen peas with it. And Winifred is bringing one of her delicious cakes for afters. I told her I had some vanilla ice cream to go with it. Easy-peasy.’

‘You are such a good cook. My mouth’s watering already.’

‘Well, you’re learning quite a lot under my tuition. I’m never going to be the sole cook and bottle-washer again.’

‘Pity. My food doesn’t taste nearly as good as yours.’

‘Practice makes perfect.’

‘You’re heartless.’ When she shot him a stern glance, he suppressed a sigh. Her first husband must have been a lazy slob to leave her so determined about sharing duties. Not that Angus didn’t agree with that in principle, it was just that he was flat out busy with renovating Saffron Lane. For the moment he judged it wiser to change the subject. ‘It’ll be nice to see them again. How was Winifred looking?’

‘Really well. Since Janey went to live with her she seems to have grown younger. She doesn’t look anywhere near her mid-eighties. And Millie is walking now, getting into all sorts of mischief. Janey might only be nineteen but she’s a really good mother. You can see it from that child’s rosy, happy face.’

She stopped and looked at him, eyes narrowed. ‘You’re only half-listening and if that isn’t a half-hearted nod, I’ve never seen one. What happened today?’

‘Are you a mind-reader?’

She chuckled and reached out to smooth the frown lines from the middle of his forehead. ‘No, but I can read the signs on your face. What’s happened now, love?’

‘A chap turned up with an offer to buy Saffron Lane, one of those damned developers.’ He paused. ‘He didn’t look like the other ones, though. He was much more stylishly dressed, more like a male model.’