‘Well, for peace of mind – yours and mine – I’ll get a locksmith to change the locks. Better safe than sorry. But’ – he takes both of my hands in his – ‘there’s no one in the house now. I’m not going to lie – it doesn’t mean you were wrong and that someone wasn’t here at some point. I’m just confident no one’s hiding in your wardrobe at this moment.’ He smiles. It’s warm and kind – not a sarcastic, I-feel-sorry-for-you smile. ‘I even stuck my head into the loft. Just long-put-away boxed-up memories there,’ he says, his eyes lowering. He sighs, and then recovering, continues. ‘And I’d have a word with Carl to see if he moved stuff around – like the table you mentioned. Maybe, for some reason, he was the one who also flicked the switches.’

‘Why would he need to, Nick? I get the coffee table, that was simply measuring the space, I expect. But why touch the fuse box at all?’

‘Testing the electrics? If this bloke that Carl was showing around for the second viewing was serious about putting an offer in, I suspect Carl would’ve jumped through whatever hoops were put in front of him. You’ve been on at him long enough about zero progress … perhaps he was desperate to please.’

I relax again. That’s actually a good point. I could save myself some worry if I call Carl and ask him direct.

‘Would you call him?’ I gaze at Nick through my eyelashes – a coy, unnecessary action I’m immediately annoyed at myself for. But it works.

‘Sure. Give me his number.’ Nick gets up. ‘And I’ll call the locksmith straight after.’ He begins to dial Carl as he walks through the kitchen to the back door. I hear it click shut behind him. I sit on the sofa and wait. I’ve probably just made a big mistake.

‘Carl said things had been moved, but he couldn’t specifically remember what. And he’ll definitely drop the key back tomorrow after work,’ Nick says, returning to his position on the sofa. ‘But by then it won’t matter anyway as my guy’s coming over at ten in the morning to change the locks. I didn’t tell Carl that – I think it’s important he thinks you need the key back urgently. I want to know he’s handed it back to you and not keeping it for any dodgy reason. Because if he doesn’t come with it tomorrow you should fire his arse then report him to the Property Ombudsmen for negligence.’

I laugh. ‘Thanks. Although I can’t do tomorrow at ten – I’m at work.’

‘That’s fine. Mum won’t have anything better to do. She can sit here—’