She bit her lower lip. ‘I went to get some petrol. I forgot to fill up before you went away. I was going to go on into the town, but I’m not ready for it yet. I’m sorry, but you’ll have to do the shopping for a while longer.’

‘I’ll shop for as long as you like, just as long as you don’t give up on yourself. You have to keep trying, Kate, okay?’

Kate gave him a wan smile and nodded. ‘I’ll make that tea.’

* * *

That night he prepared a somewhat makeshift dinner and they had a couple of glasses of wine. Kate had resumed her work on the lounge in the afternoon but had promised to give it up before supper.

After they had eaten, he told her about Canada, and Guy’s act of quiet heroism. He also said how friendly and welcoming everyone had been and asked Kate if she’d like to go there for a holiday.

She stared down into the ruby liquid in her glass. ‘One day, maybe.’

‘It’s a breathtakingly beautiful country. It would inspire your work.’

Still she would not look up. He noticed how tightly she gripped the stem of her glass. ‘As you say, one day. Want a top-up?’

She held out the glass, still in one piece. He poured the wine and sat back in his chair. ‘Fancy an early night?’

He fully expected her to find an excuse, but she flashed him a rare smile and said that would be lovely.

For the first time since he got back, she told him that she had missed him.

For once, she didn’t visit her studio, and was still in his arms when the misty grey light of morning filtered through the window.

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER TWELVE

Matt and Liz lingered over breakfast, not wanting the day to begin. Matt had promised to go to Holland House and see Kate, under the pretext of sharing some of his local history knowledge. He wasn’t looking forward to it.

‘I had an enquiry about another private investigation while you were away,’ said Liz, helping herself to more marmalade. ‘It doesn’t sound too challenging, but I said I’d ring back today after I’d spoken to you about it. His name is Nigel Foreman, a businessman from Fenchester who owns several village stores in this area. He’s concerned that one of the store managers is using his shop to fence stolen goods. He told the police, but nothing came of it. It’s being going on for some time, apparently, but he hasn’t managed to get a single bit of proof.’ She looked at Matt. ‘His problem lies in the fact that the guy who is managing the store is also his brother-in-law, and if he’s wrong, well, it could cause an almighty family bust-up.’