‘How’s Helen?’ she asked.

‘She’s OK. Having a good week, actually. She’s been up and about a bit. Did the food shop yesterday.’

‘That’s great!’ Kate exclaimed, then immediately regretted her showy burst of enthusiasm as Rob had closed up again. ‘Um . . . well, if it’s OK with you, I’d like to go over a few of the facts.’ She paused. He said nothing. ‘When did you move to Ramsbourne?’

‘Helen and I came here when Abby was five . . . seven years ago.’

‘And you’ve lived in the same house the entire time?’

‘That’s right.’

Kate wrote it down in her notepad.

‘And . . . when did Abby get ill?’

He flinched. ‘It was Helen first. She got ME four years ago. Had to give up her job as a dental nurse.’

‘How bad is her illness?’

‘She’s not making it up, if that’s what you mean. It’s a proper disease you know, not just some excuse for being lazy or anything.’

Kate held out a placating hand. ‘I know, I know. What I meant is, is she able to help with the running of the house?’

‘Not often.’

‘Are you able to get anyone in?’

He stared at her coldly. ‘Who’s going to pay for that, then?’

Kate nodded. ‘The reason I’m asking is that I have to assess costs – as part of figuring out what compensation you should be entitled to.’ She took a breath. ‘Back to Abby . . . when was she diagnosed with sarcoma?’

‘Two years ago.’

‘And now . . .?’

‘In the clear.’

‘That’s great,’ said Kate.

‘So, you really think you can have a go at whoever owns this farm then?’

‘Yes, I do.’

He frowned at her, eyes hostile with scepticism. ‘How much?’

She was taken aback by his bluntness.

‘In compensation? Well, it would depend on everyone’s types and levels of illness, loss and hardship. But something in the region of two to five million.’

‘So, what’s that work out at each?’

Kate shook her head. ‘No, that would be just for you. And Helen and Abby. I did a bit of checking – a carer costs approximately fifteen pounds an hour. If you had help for only two hours a day, assuming Helen needed help for the next forty years, that’s nearly half a million. And her care needs could well go up. And there’s Helen’s loss of earnings, your loss of earnings while you’re caring for them both. And Abby . . . hopefully she’s going to be fine now but if . . . in the future . . .’

He stared at her for a moment, then started laughing. It was loud and hard, and people were looking round. She got embarrassed and was about to ask him to stop, when he suddenly ceased.

‘You seriously think whoever owns this farm is going to pay two million for each of us?’

‘Well, each case will be different, but potentially, yes.’