Nico eases the painting onto one of the rails and we cluster around it. ‘It’s the orchard in our garden in Spain, in autumn,’ he murmurs, his hand cupping his chin and resting on his arm as it’s wrapped around his body. He’s caught up in a plethora of emotions that I can’t even begin to imagine.

‘As soon as the painting arrived and we unpacked it, Fred realised it was by the same artist as this piece. The signature was different, but the vibrancy and brushstrokes were unmistakeable. It had life in it, something that reaches out from the canvas and makes your heart leap.’

Nico lowers his hands, resting them at his sides as he looks at Patricia, humbly. ‘And yet you did nothing about it, knowing one of the signatures was false,’ he replies, softly.

‘We loved both paintings for what they were. Before Fred died, he wanted me to meet you in person, so I came here. I was in need of a break after many months of nursing him, alone, at home. The man who had contacted us a while beforehand told us that José’s son was interested in buying the canvas, because he wanted to bring his father’s collection back under one roof. We were, naturally, rather curious, as we were convinced they were both by the same person.’

The way Patricia says the word ‘curious’ implies that both she and Fred had done some research and knew a little about Nico’s father.

‘I suppose we wanted to know the truth, or the full story, if you prefer. For us, it didn’t devalue the beauty, or the validity of the pieces, but if this was part of a scam, that would have been devastating. Not because of the value, but the integrity.’

I’m holding my breath and so is Nico.

She continues. ‘It was very clear to me that Nico has put everything he owns into this place. He has assumed responsibility for a group of people searching for a home, bringing them together to make a difference. It was then that I knew the truth. I didn’t need to ask the question, because it was irrelevant. I simply experienced what you had achieved with the retreat and now, The Haven. I went back to Fred with a happy heart.

‘So, this is our present to you, Nico. It was Fred’s dying wish, and while I am a little sad to let it go, it belongs with you. No one, including Stefan, knows anything about it. He only thinks I’m bringing you a gift to thank you for my time here and that’s exactly how I’d like to keep it. A little secret between the three of us that goes no further.’