She pinned me to my seat with a frosty stare. “That house was sold years ago, straight after we returned from Africa.” Her expression became more defiant. “I already told you all this on the phone.”

“Grandfather led you to believe it had been sold,” said Flynn, explaining. “But it wasn’t.”

She stared across at him. “Don’t talk nonsense.”

When Flynn continued to stare at her levelly, she shifted in her seat. “You’re serious, aren’t you?”

I leant forward on the hessian sofa. “Mrs Talbot, do you remember a lady who lived opposite you when you were at Merry Wood? Lily Cruickshank?”

A strange expression took over her features. She nodded. “Yes, as a matter of fact I do. She was a pleasant but plain little thing with red hair.” Her mouth morphed into a smirk. “She was distraught when we left for Africa. I think she had a bit of a thing for your grandfather.” She rocked back on the sofa. “Deluded girl!”

I raised my brows. Oh God. This wasn’t going to be easy. “I discovered a letter,” I began, choosing my words. “It was addressed to Lily Cruickshank and written by your husband.”

She blinked several times at me. “Why does that not come as a bigger shock. He had a string of women during our marriage. It was all rather embarrassing.”

She shot out her hand. “Can I see the letter please?”

I shook my head. “No, I’m afraid not. That letter belongs to Lily. It wouldn’t be right for me to pass it around, allowing other people to read what is rightfully hers.”

There was a flinty expression charging through her eyes. “How very noble of you.”

I bristled but didn’t respond. Astrid wasn’t coming across as the wronged ex-wife to me.

She performed a theatrical cock of her head. “I wonder if he ever managed to get his leg over with her?”

There was a horrified, strangled gasp from Flynn. “Grandma! Please!”

“Well, it was so obvious she had a thing for him. She used to salivate every time she saw him. All rather common.”

Astrid Talbot eyed her grandson. “But onto far more important matters than who your grandfather was sleeping with. You need to tell me what’s been going on with Merry Wood.”

Flynn opened and closed his mouth. He looked to me and I widened my eyes. She was far more interested in the house than in the news about the letter. How odd.

He cleared his throat. “The house is still sitting there, furnished, from when you and grandfather lived there.”

Her eyes hardened like marbles. “I can’t believe this.” She whipped her head from Flynn to me, making her wooden necklace clack with the motion.

“And is that Lily woman still holed up in that grotty little cottage of hers?”

“Yes, Lily still lives opposite Merry Wood,” I clarified, giving her a look.