He began to drift off to sleep, trying, as he had so many times before, to name the flower that she reminded him of. Lily of the valley? Roses, or sweet peas? Was it lilacs . . . ? He woke up at first light, as Kate slipped in beside him and immediately fell into a deep slumber.

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FOUR

On arriving at Holland House, Liz and Matt stood outside for a few moments, taking in the old building and the vista across the fen. Not having been here for a few months, they noticed at once how much work had been done outside. For years during the residence of old lady Holland, the garden, greenhouse and outbuildings had all been neglected. Now Will was doing a heroic job, considering his injuries, in restoring them to their original order.

‘Hey, you two! How are you doing?’ Will hurried out to join them.

Matt noted that Kate wasn’t with him. ‘We’re fine, Will, thank you. Lovely day again.’

‘You’ve done a really good job here,’ said Liz admiringly. ‘I hadn’t realised you had a proper wishing well. It’s beautiful.’

‘Seems odd, but that’s one of the reasons why this place was so reasonable.’ Will went over to it and laid a hand on the rim. ‘Did I tell you about the clause Mrs Holland put into the conditions of purchase?’

Matt shook his head. ‘No, I don’t think you mentioned any clause.’

‘Did you ever meet Mrs Holland, Matt?’

‘Oh yes, she lived here all the time I was growing up. I remember a strange old lady with pursed lips and beady eyes. We kids stayed well away from this place. Even when she was younger, she was a right tyrant if she caught any of us hanging around. She really did not like children. We called her a witch and invented all sorts of scary stories about her.’

‘So, you won’t be surprised when I tell you what she built into the sale agreement.’ He slapped the brickwork. ‘I had to try not to laugh when the estate agent read it out, I really wondered if the old girl was the full ticket. The clause stated that she would not sell to a family. According to her, the house was not suitable for children, and the prospective buyer must be either retired or permanently childless.’ He stopped.

Matt and Liz were aware that after her breakdown, Kate and Will had been told that she was in too fragile a condition to even consider adoption. They had been advised to put all thought of having children out of their minds for ever.

‘We signed and got a ridiculously good deal.’ Will spread out his arms. ‘All this, for the price of small three-bed newbuild on an estate. No brainer.’

Liz wrinkled her brow. ‘I wonder why she felt so strongly about children.’