Lizzie realised Avery was referring to Bill. “Yes,” she said. “I’m afraid he is. I’m very sorry I didn’t realise. I’ve been a bit too wrapped up in things.”

“Not to worry.” Avery was bracing. “You’ll have it sorted in no time, I’m sure.”

“I’ll add it to the list of things to do,” Lizzie promised, “along with calling in the tree surgeons and a gardener and a cleaning company.”

Avery looked horrified. “My dear, you cannot employ a cleaning company! They will take pictures and sell them to the newspapers and then everyone will know where you are. Surely you know that? We thought—” she shot Lizzie a sharp look “—that you came here for some privacy?”

“Well, yes,” Lizzie said, “but I can’t tackle the whole house myself. It’s too much of a mess. I really have let Bill get away with so much because I couldn’t be bothered.” She pulled a face. “I’m sorry I’ve neglected The High so badly. I feel as though I’ve let the family down in some way.”

Avery patted her hand. “You’re a busy girl. We all understand, and I know it’s never been a favourite place of yours.”

“No,” Lizzie admitted. “After my mother died, I came to hate the place, but I think that was more to do with Dad than anything else. Now it feels much more like home again.”

“Oh well, your father...” Avery’s shrug encompassed everything there was to say about Harry Kingdom. “Such a vulgar man! I’m sorry to say it, Elizabeth, but it’s true. When he changed the name of The High to The High Kingdom, I thought that summed him up.” She cocked her head. “Is he still alive? I don’t recall seeing an obituary.”

“Just about,” Lizzie said. “We haven’t spoken for years. He’s with his fifth wife now and runs a nightclub in California.”

“Each to their own, I suppose,” Avery said, with a sniff that indicated just how much she disapproved of Harry Kingdom.

Lizzie smothered a smile. “I promise I won’t let the place go again,” she said. “And I need a piano tuner for the baby grand,” she added. “I’d like to write some songs.”

“I know someone,” Avery said. “He tends to my Bechstein. He’s very discreet. I don’t believe he even owns a mobile phone so there’s no likelihood that he would think of posting pictures of your house online.”

“That would be wonderful, thank you,” Lizzie said.

“The croissants will be ready in a minute,” Avery said. “Would you be a dear and make the tea? I’ll go and fix the heating. I’m a hardy creature, Elizabeth, but it is Arctic in here.” She looked Lizzie up and down. “No wonder you’re wearing such practical attire.”

“Jules and I did try to get the heating going.” Lizzie immediately felt defensive. “We tried to turn it on last night when we arrived but we couldn’t get it working.”

“I’ll have it on in a jiffy.” Avery was already heading towards the door of the utility room. “I have the same system; I’ll just press random buttons until something happens.”