I poured myself some coffee and came to sit at the table. “Do you enjoy being a farmer?” I asked. “It must be a big change from what you were used to.”

“I do quite like it,” he said. “My father had always expected that I’d go into finance like him, but I never had his knack with figures. But he articled me to an accountant anyway. Boring as hell. This is much more my style. Free to come and go as I please and some nice properties in suitably warm places in the winter. I’ve been toying with ideas for this house. It’s far too big for just the two of us. Maybe a luxury hotel and put in a golf course?” He gave me a grin that suddenly made him look young and unsophisticated. Then he added, “Belinda not up yet? I’ve been thinking about that cottage of hers—White Sails. I can put her in touch with local builders to see if it can be made habitable. It would be jolly nice if she’d come back to our part of the world occasionally. Liven things up a little around here.” He paused, looked around, then added, “One of the disadvantages of being a farmer. The social life is terribly dull.”

I wasn’t quite sure what I should say to this—warn him that it wasn’t a good idea to show interest in Belinda? Instead I went over to the sideboard and helped myself to a plate of smoked haddock and scrambled egg. Tony pushed away his plate and got up.

“Enjoy your day,” he said. “I have a date with my cow man.”

By the time I had finished Belinda and Rose had arrived and we lingered, talking over cups of tea.

“I thought we’d go for a walk after breakfast,” Rose said. “You haven’t yet seen the best part of the grounds.”

“Not exactly walking weather, is it?” Belinda peered out into the fog. “Besides, I have to do something about finding a builder for the cottage.”

“Leave that to Tony,” Rose said. “He mentioned last night that he’ll set you up with a local builder. Besides, you can’t go driving in this weather. You might run into a farm vehicle or even miss the road and drive off a cliff.”

Belinda went to say something but then shrugged. “Oh well, I suppose a walk would do us good. Just as long as you don’t take us anywhere near the top of those cliffs. I don’t want to suffer Jonquil’s fate.”