What am I getting into, she asked herself as she lugged the ham into the kitchen, followed by the dogs. Lozenge, who had been driven nearly crazy with desire by the tantalising whiffs of ham in the car, gave her a reproachful look as she plonked it safely down on the kitchen table, well out of reach of small, portly dachshunds with insatiable appetites but disappointingly short legs, and went to check on arrangements for this evening’s dinner.

She felt as if a self-protective coating of enamel round her heart was being slowly and inexorably chipped away.

Chapter Fourteen

Isobel was luxuriating in a hot bath when Giles came up to change for dinner. She had just poured in some more of her favourite Jo Malone lime, basil and mandarin bath essence and was lying back in the water, reviewing her day and pondering on the idea that had struck her earlier, when he came in.

‘Hello, my Iz. So how’s my love then?’ he asked, as he invariably did after only the shortest separation.

‘Thinking,’ said Isobel.

‘Novel experience?’ Giles grinned at her and perched on the edge of the bath. ‘About anything in particular, may one ask?’

She hesitated. ‘About Rory,’ she said at last. ‘About the past . . . and the future.’

‘Ah.’ Giles got up and went to look out of the window, hands in pockets, jingling coins.

She watched him, not sure whether this was the right moment to attempt a discussion that might have unforeseen consequences, like walking down a track where suspected landmines might lie in wait.

‘Must get that grass cut. It’s already far too long,’ said Giles, taking out the little leather-bound notepad he always kept in his pocket and scribbling a reminder to himself, but Isobel didn’t think his mind was really on the mowing.

‘I’ve had an idea that might explain a few things that have been niggling at me,’ she said, ‘but I don’t know how to check it out and I’m not even sure whether or not to test the theory on you.’

He turned round to face her. ‘Well, before you decide,’ he said, ‘I have something to report to you – and for once I’m not sure how you’re going to react. There’s been a development.’

‘What sort of development? Chuck me the towel, will you?’ Isobel did not want to be wet and naked if there were going to be disclosures about Rory. Giles passed her the towel and watched her as she stepped out of the bath, this woman he loved so much but had once nearly lost through his own folly and vanity.