‘Just trying to solve a knotty problem. I’ve got to put a dirty great RSJ in, to extend the kitchen, but I’m trying to work out if I need to get a crane in.’

‘Oh,’ said Hannah, none the wiser.

He lifted his head from the plans. ‘See here.’ She walked round to stand beside him.

‘Looks impressive.’

‘It will be when it’s finished. See, this is the kitchen.’

He talked through the plans with a passion that surprised her. ‘There’ll be a breakfast bar here but it will be two levels. The lower level will have a sink in it, so that whoever is in the kitchen and is working doesn’t have their back to their guests.’

Hannah nodded. ‘Good call. You’re right. When you’re washing up, you sort of become invisible.’

‘Exactly, and if you’re the host you should be the star of the show.’

‘Not sure about that one,’ said Hannah. Maybe that was why she’d never been one for cooking. She preferred to stay in the background, unlike her more extrovert sister.

‘And this will be a big bifold window that will fold right back so that the patio in front becomes an extension of the house. But then,’ he grinned at her, ‘there’ll be a wood burner here because the weather isn’t always that kind.’

‘It’s been gorgeous this week. I’m starting to think it’s always like this here.’ Every day this week had been a golden last hurrah of summer but there was a definite smell of autumn in the air and the temperature in the evening held a distinct chill. The apples in the orchard were ripening to a rosy hue, the raspberry canes were bare, and hay bales in the fields opposite had been gathered in.

‘Enjoy it while it lasts, this Indian summer.’ He glanced around the kitchen. ‘I remodelled this place so that you could enjoy the view of the sea but still feel snug and warm. Everyone thought a wood burner in here as well as an open fireplace in the lounge was overkill.’

‘It’s very homely.’ She pulled a face, thinking of her own bland apartment. ‘I ought to make more effort. My place is somewhere to sleep. I don’t spend much time there.’ Or rather, she didn’t spend much quality time there.

‘Where do you spend time then?’