There was definitely something underhand going on.

Well, she intended to make sure those two didn’t get away with whatever they were planning.

As she’d expected, Angus was furious when she told him what had been said at her meeting with Hobkins.

‘Give me three or four more hours working on this thing and I’ll be finished. Then I can give you – and Hobkins – my fullest attention.’

‘No need to rush. I don’t think we should do anything else or arrange any more meetings without having a lawyer present. Who’s your lawyer for property matters?’

He gave a smile that was more shark-like than a sign of amusement. ‘I’ve been using an old guy who knows the local regulations better than anyone, but I’m not sure he’s up to an outright court battle these days. I’ll contact him tomorrow and ask his advice about who would be useful to have on our side, as well as asking him about the legal situation.’

‘Let me contact his office today, while you’re working, and arrange a meeting early tomorrow, if possible. What’s his name?’

‘Clifford Olliphant. His phone number’s in the book. He’s got rooms just behind High Street. I wonder—’ He broke off in the middle of a sentence and walked out of the room, bumping into the doorpost and moving on again as if he hadn’t noticed. She shook her head fondly. His mind was clearly back on his job.

When she phoned Mr Olliphant’s office, his secretary said he was preparing to retire and would they like to speak to Mr Alexander instead, because he was taking over the practice? So they agreed on an appointment for the following morning at ten o’clock.

Angus had better be ready by then, Nell thought, because this wasn’t something she felt qualified to deal with on her own.

Another of her grandmother’s sayings popped into her mind. Two heads are better than one.

Especially if one head belonged to her super-clever partner and husband-to-be.

Angus managed to finish his project by midnight, letting out his usual wild yell of triumph and waking Nell, who had fallen asleep on the sofa.

She insisted on making him a substantial snack, because he was always hungry after a long stint in front of his computers. After that they went to bed and she listened to him fall instantly asleep.

She wasn’t slow to follow his example.

The following morning they went to see Russell Alexander as arranged.

The lawyer, who looked to be about the same age as them, listened to their story and frowned. ‘Would you mind if we brought Mr Olliphant in to hear this? It does sound dodgy and Cliff is still working here part-time. I reckon he knows the local building regulations better than anyone in town.’

Mr Olliphant listened to their tale and looked at Nell in surprise. ‘Are you sure you’ve got it right, my dear?’

‘Certain,’ Nell said.

‘Well, in my opinion, the only reason they can have for coming to inspect the property that would hold up in court is that someone has lodged a complaint against you, alleging that the houses are in a dangerous condition. Why would anyone make such a complaint? Who’s been looking at your row of houses?’