‘So, she’s found out who’s behind it?’

Kate’s shoulders slumped as she read on. ‘No . . . “Unfortunately the Anguilla commercial registry does not disclose director details. I’ve written to the relevant clerks but it’s unlikely – impossible, I should say – that they will be able to give me any names. I’m afraid that this would be the last task that I could complete without issuing further invoices.”’ Kate sank into her chair and dropped the phone on the table. ‘A dead end.’

‘I’m guessing you can’t ask her to do any more . . .’ said Tim.

‘I’m completely broke. Doesn’t matter how much overtime I do, I still can’t keep up with these payments.’

Every way she turned, she seemed to hit a brick wall. She was exhausted and running out of ideas. A movement outside caught her eye.

‘What the . . .?’

There was a man in Iris’s front garden hammering a ‘For Sale’ sign into the grass. Kate leapt up and rushed out the house.

‘What’s going on?’ she demanded.

‘On the market,’ said the man, unfazed.

Kate went up to Iris’s front door and rang the bell, urgently. After a while, she could see Iris through the glass, ambling towards the door, less urgently.

‘Is there a fire?’ said Iris lightly, then saw the man over Kate’s shoulder. ‘Oh. They weren’t supposed to put that up until later. I wanted to speak to you first.’

‘You’re moving?’

‘Well, yes.’

‘Why?’

‘Oh, Kate, I can’t stay here forever. Not as I’m getting older. It’s harder every day. Who’d have thought we revert back to toddlers, always on our backsides,’ she mused.

‘I told you, I can help.’

‘And I told you, that’s not practical,’ said Iris in a firm voice. ‘And I don’t want to be a burden,’ she added.

The postman called up the path. ‘Package for you, darlin’.’ He handed over a large envelope to Iris.

‘It’s my welcome pack,’ said Iris, smiling brightly. She indicated the logo on the envelope. ‘I’ve found a lovely place. Not far from here. That Sunshine Royal Oaks, you know, I mentioned it? It’s not for the completely infirm, I’m not there yet, but they’ve got a warden on duty. So, if I fall, I just click my tag and – hey presto! – he appears! Just like a genie.’

‘I wish you’d talked this over with me first.’

‘Well, I was going to . . .’ said Iris and Kate was reminded of how she hadn’t been able to stay the other day. ‘And then I knew you’d just try and persuade me not to go. And I had to make my own decision. So, I got myself a taxi there yesterday, got the grand tour. And you’ll never guess what?’

‘What?’

‘My old friend, Christine Sturley, is there. You know, the one who worked at the taxi office for a bit, then when she and her husband retired, they moved to Spain? Well, she’s recently widowed and back. Missed the seasons.’