‘Yes,’ she said, liking his honesty. ‘She did, but I agree with Giles. It’s none of our business, unless you want to talk about it.’ She added quickly, ‘Louisa won’t have meant to make trouble, you know – she was just curious.’

‘Like Bunty?’ he suggested drily.

Isobel giggled. ‘I don’t think she’d thank you for that, but yes, I suppose so. If I’m truthful I have to say I’m intrigued too. You don’t immediately conjure up one’s image of an old lag.’

‘Well thank God for that! I have to say this week is proving the best therapy I could have. I couldn’t be more grateful to you both.’ He told them about the thriller he had written in prison and his delight at Catherine’s reaction to it.

‘She won’t have been flattering you,’ said Giles. ‘I can promise you that. Catherine’s always very kind but she never raises false hopes. How exciting that she’s going to give it to Jonathan Mercer. You’ll like him. He’s great fun.’

They talked easily of writing and prison and the turning of Glendrochatt from a beloved but dilapidated white elephant of a home into a flourishing business concern. They discovered several mutual interests and quite a few mutual friends. When the grandfather clock in the hall started to chime eleven o’clock Christopher got up hastily.

‘I must go,’ he said apologetically. ‘I didn’t intend to stay like this but it’s been so good talking to you both. I’ve been a bit starved for conversation where I’ve been! Thank you so much for the drink – and the company. Glendrochatt is helping me to feel human again.’

‘That’s a lovely thing to say. Do you really have to go at the end of the week?’ asked Isobel. ‘Why don’t you stay on for the second rather different and less structured week? Several of the others are staying. I think you’d enjoy it. We’d love to have you, wouldn’t we, Giles?’

‘We certainly would. Is that difficult – do you have to get permission for that sort of thing?’

‘Well, I’d have to ask my probation officer. He has to know where I am and approve of what I’m doing. I certainly don’t want to break any regulation and find myself back inside. I don’t think I’d cope with that very easily, but he’s a decent bloke and I’m not considered at risk of re-offending. I don’t think there’d be a problem in staying here so long as I ask him. That’s very kind of you. Can I think about it?’

‘Of course you can. But I hope you decide to stay. You can help us in the search for Marnie’s vanished castle,’ said Isobel. ‘That’s going to be quite a challenge. Has she mentioned it to you?’