For a moment she thought the “tough old bird” might give way to tears, but Emilia took a deep breath. ‘You are very kind, both of you.’

Taking that as an assent to their unofficial investigation, Liz smiled at her. ‘Let’s go and tell Bob the Builder that he’s earned himself a cup of tea — and that we’re upping our game.’

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER FIVE

Will and Kate’s argument on the day of Matt and Liz’s visit had left a shadow hanging over them. It would take them some time to get over it. For now, they maintained an uneasy truce.

Kate spent a lot of time behind the closed door of her studio, but at least she made the effort to join Will for meals, and to eat more regularly. Will soldiered on with his renovations, while Kate, when not painting, spent the rest of her time walking the marshes, or planning and researching her project for the renovation of Holland House. She seemed to have become stronger, and even helped with the design aspects of the garden.

The following weekend was humid and stormy, but despite this, Kate seemed almost restored to her old self. Will began to relax again. Perhaps the worst had passed?

Initially, they took great delight in watching the jagged forks of lightning zigzagging down into the Wash, but after a while the constant storms became tedious and now Kate was becoming unsettled and irritable again.

She had begun revamping the kitchen and was at the same time trying to oversee his efforts at restoring the Victorian greenhouse and get parts of the garden back under control.

‘Damn and blast! Bloody weather! Another hour and I could have finished that bed around the well.’ Kate flopped down on a kitchen chair and rubbed her hair angrily with a hand towel.

‘There is always tomorrow, sweetheart. Don’t forget what we said about not pushing yourself too hard. Anyone would think our time here was limited. We have all the time in the world, remember?’ Busy with the tea, Will missed the look of annoyance that she threw his way.

‘Have you fixed those windows yet, Will? I thought you said the fanlights were almost done.’

‘That greenhouse is a nightmare, Kate. Every time I fix one thing, something else falls to bits. I’ve practically had to rebuild those frames — they’re all rotten.’

Kate’s tone was tetchy. ‘Well, it needs to be weatherproof for the winter. I’m hoping to get some seedlings in before the frosts start.’

‘It’s not a simple job, Kate. Trying to re-hang window frames with a dodgy arm is not exactly easy, you know.’ He tried to keep his tone even, but he had been doing his best, and it rankled that it wasn’t appreciated.

‘Well, if you’re not up to it, then I’ll get someone in.’