She said, ‘You would think so, wouldn’t you? But I haven’t finished unpacking from when I moved in yet. I’ve still got to go through all of that stuff from Stephen’s study.’

James took a sip of his water. ‘Really! I thought you said you were just going to dump all of that.’

Was it a trick of the light or had the colour suddenly drained from his face?

‘I know what I said. But I’m glad I didn’t; there are all sorts of personal bits and pieces in there. He kept all of the birthday and anniversary cards I ever sent him, you know. They’re all in there.’

‘Well, you know what I said at the time. I’d be happy to go through it all for you. Or just to dump it, come to that. It can’t be easy rummaging through all of those memories.’

‘It’s sweet of you, it really is, James. But to be honest I’m finding it sort of cathartic. I think it’s helping me to lay some of my ghosts to rest.’

‘Well, the offer stands. If there’s anything I can do, just ask. I know that as it transpired Stephen’s business judgement wasn’t always the soundest. I only wish I’d discovered what he was up to sooner. If I’d known he was intending to make those investments I might have been able to stop him, to persuade him not to go through with it.’

She could see the anxiety etched into his face. She lowered her voice. ‘You can’t blame yourself, James. I was his wife and I had no idea what he was up to. He was a grown man. It was his choice to make those investments. No one else’s. And in the end he was the one who paid the price for his decisions. I’m rebuilding my life and you’ve done as much as anyone to help me out of the mess that he left behind.’

‘Don’t judge him too harshly, Clare. I know he wasn’t perfect but Stephen was a good friend to me over the years. And I know that if I’d been lucky enough to have a wife like you and anything had happened to me, he would have done everything in his power to see that you were OK. So if you change your mind, you know all you have to do is call.’

CHAPTER NINE