She took one end of the sideboard in Iris’s house as her mum lifted the other, and they shifted it across the room.

‘Bit further,’ instructed Iris as she watched. ‘Bit more, little bit more. There!’

Kate and Becky put it down and they all stood back and appraised their efforts. Iris had wanted to move her furniture around so her armchairs were in the sun. The warmth helped with her arthritis.

‘Looks good,’ said Becky. The sun was streaming through where the sideboard had been. ‘Look at all that toasty space, right by the window. It’ll be like living in the tropics.’

‘I’ll probably spend most of the day asleep now,’ said Iris.

‘Right, now for the chairs,’ said Kate. ‘And that table needs moving too.’

‘We could do with a man,’ said Iris. ‘A strong one.’

Becky giggled. ‘Mum’s found one.’

‘Oh yes, I’ve heard about this Tim. Bit of all right, is he?’

‘Don’t know,’ said Becky. ‘Mum hasn’t introduced me yet.’

‘I’ve only known him three weeks,’ said Kate.

‘Well, I’m relying on you to make a full assessment,’ Iris said to Becky, ‘when you do meet him. I want his entire backstory.’

‘What!’ said Kate.

‘I’ll check him out, don’t you worry,’ said Becky to Iris. ‘And I’ll let you know.’

‘Hello, I am here. In the room,’ said Kate, waving her arms about.

Iris continued to speak to Becky. ‘Good. Your mum’s told me a few nice things, but, well, they can be real charmers these DIY types. I just hope he’s everything he’s seeming to be.’

‘Unbelievable,’ said Kate, to herself really as no one else was listening.

Iris finally looked at Kate and beamed. ‘Anyone for a cuppa? How’s about I go and put the kettle on?’

She went into the kitchen and flicked the switch on the kettle, just as her phone began to ring on the table. She picked it up but didn’t recognize the number. Could be one of those cold-callers telling you you’ve had a car accident, she thought. She contemplated not answering but caved in. It might be important.

‘Hello?’ said the caller.

‘Hello,’ said Iris coolly.

‘I know, I know, it’s been a few days. Sorry . . . things have just been totally manic, and I had to go back home for a bit – my mum fractured her wrist at Zumba – long story but, well, I know it’s short notice but what are you doing tonight? Fancy a game of squash and some dinner?’

‘I’d love to, dearie, but I don’t think my hips are up to it.’

‘What?’

‘Pardon?’

‘I thought . . . You were supposed to be someone else.’

‘Charmed, I’m sure.’

‘Sorry . . . it’s just . . . never mind.’ The caller, a man, sighed. ‘Seems I’ve been fobbed off again.’

‘Iris, who are you talking to?’ called Kate from the living room.

‘Wrong number,’ called back Iris. ‘No need to explain,’ she said into the phone. ‘I think I get the gist. Whoever she is, she’s not worth it.’