He’s a sly fellow, she thought. I’ve never much liked him. Why doesn’t he say he is going to work for Nicholas and Emily? Perhaps he is not telling me because he resents my teasing him when Claud and I ate the oysters. Does he think I might put a damper on his plan? Will his smell obliterate the faint echo of Claud in my bed, of us lying by the fire? I must look on his presence in the Old Rectory not as a barrier but as a protective shield. I wonder how he will get on with Bonzo?

Laura looked at her watch. Unpunctual people irritated her; Margaret Bannister was late. She tapped a spoon against her empty glass, and gave Margaret another five minutes.

The street door swung open and Helen Peel came in. Laura raised her newspaper too late; Helen had seen her. ‘When am I going to get my hand?’ She advanced on Laura, sat without being asked at the table.

‘Soon,’ said Laura.

‘I suppose you have been looking after Emily and Nicholas.’ Helen always knew it all. ‘They have had flu.’

‘Yes.’

‘She and Nicholas are bloody spoiled, never lift a finger, do they?’

‘No.’

‘I hear that they are going to have a living-in couple. Putting them in your part of the house. I suppose you know all this?’

‘Yes.’

‘Can’t imagine how they can afford it, they must be living on capital. Aren’t you worried?’

‘No.’

‘They can’t make much from their articles and reviews.’

‘No.’

‘Where’s that boy?’ Helen snapped her fingers. ‘Here, Terrence, stop picking your nose and bring me some coffee.’

‘Yes, ma’am.’ Terrence grovelled, ‘Your usual chocolate gâteau with your coffee and whipped cream, ma’am?’ He winked at Laura. ‘Or will madam have wine today?’

‘Coffee, of course. D’you suppose he’s making fun of me? They normally call one love or ducks. What d’you think, Laura?’

‘Yes.’

‘Oh.’ Helen looked surprised. Terrence set coffee, cream, and a large slice of cake before Helen. ‘D’you think I should eat this? Christopher says I am losing my figure.’

‘Lost.’

‘You are a comic.’ Helen laughed indulgently. ‘Were you waiting for someone or do you want to be alone?’ She examined the chocolate cake. ‘What a large slice.’

‘Yes.’

‘You are not making yourself very agreeable.’ Helen forked cake into her mouth. ‘Monosyllabic as ever.’

‘Cat got my tongue.’ Laura leaned down, picked up the cat basket and moved to go; as she did so Margaret Bannister came in, full of apologies. Laura led her to a table out of earshot of Helen. When she had ordered wine for Margaret, she said: ‘I asked you to meet me so that I could give you this. It’s money Claud made on his stall.’

‘I don’t—’