‘Well, we do. And I’m going to phone them and ask them to put in an immediate offer.’

They had now reached India Street and were beginning to make their way down it to their doorway. After Moray Place, India Street seemed rather modest, and yet it was comfortable and on a human scale. Did they really want to move somewhere more formal? Elspeth was not sure. And yet, the thought of all those steps, even now, in early pregnancy, was beginning to daunt her.

‘How much will we offer?’ Elspeth asked.

‘I’ll see what the solicitor says. But it’s likely to be nine hundred and fifty. Nine hundred and sixty, maybe.’

She said nothing. That was almost a million pounds, and when stamp duty and lawyers’ fees and all the rest were added, it probably would end up being at least that much. Is this what she wanted? To be living in what the popular press would describe as ‘a million-pound flat’? Is that what she wanted, when there were so many people who made do with such small and cramped space; people for whom a million pounds was an impossible, distant dream? Did she want to be part of that world; the world of elegant Georgian interiors and the quiet ticking of clocks? Had she made a mistake in marrying Matthew, and was she now simply confirming that mistake by going along with something that seemed to be so alien, so far away from all that she had ever been, as to be about somebody else, some other Elspeth Harmony who had nothing to do with the real Elspeth Harmony – whoever that was?

51. A Letter of Comfort

As soon as they reached their flat in India Street, Matthew went into the room he used as a study and looked up the telephone number of Turcan Connell, the lawyers who looked after his affairs. They had bought the gallery for him; they had advised him – rather perspicaciously and effectively – on the disposition of the funds that his father had so generously, and unexpectedly, showered upon him. They were a comforting presence in his life, rather like a godfather or a trusted uncle, who would stand between him and a world that contained so many potential snares and disasters.

The partner with whom he dealt listened to what he had to say about India Street. She had not heard about the triplets. ‘Congratulations,’ she said. ‘You must create a trust.’

Matthew thanked her. ‘And move,’ he said.

‘Ah.’

Matthew explained about the flat in Moray Place. She approved. ‘That side in particular has wonderful views. And it has a garden?’

‘It does,’ said Matthew.

‘You’ll need to get it surveyed.’

Matthew was silent for a moment. ‘I want to buy it,’ he said. ‘There’s going to be stiff competition. I want to put in one of those quick offers.’

The lawyer frowned. Matthew could hear the frown. ‘A timed offer?’