‘Maybe a week or so?’ Nick rubs a hand over his forehead. ‘I’m pretty sure it wasn’t very long because we’d just had everything signed off. She – Caroline? Christina? Sorry, I can’t remember her name – she said she wanted to have a party to celebrate. She invited us, me and the wife.’ He laughs, as if embarrassed by the thought. ‘We didn’t go, though. They were all a bit too upmarket for us, and anyway I don’t mix business with pleasure.’ Dropping a lazy wink, he grins to show he doesn’t mean any offence.

‘So, you went back after the party and put the second soakaway in?’

‘That’s right. A couple of days after the party, if that. It took us a couple of days, but the fella said he’d pay us double if we could fit him in and get it done ASAP.’ He looks at me quizzically. ‘Are you all right? You look a bit peaky.’

I swallow, unable to take my eyes off the spot on the drawing where the soakaway lies. ‘Yes,’ I manage, ‘I’m fine. Thank you so much for your help. That explains a lot.’

‘Well, if you want me to come back and see about where you can put the pool in without digging up the drainage then I’d be happy to help.’ Nick is guiding me towards the front door, and I am only too happy to leave, keen to get out into the fresh air and process what I’ve discovered.

‘No, it’s OK. Honestly. I won’t keep you anymore.’ I wait as he jumps into his truck and gives me a wave as he drives off, before I turn towards the bus station and head back to the house.

I stand in the garden, almost mesmerised by the thick, lush grass that marks where the soakaways are, my stomach swirling uncomfortably at the idea that Caro has never been far from the house this entire time. I turn back towards the house, slowly walking through and letting my eyes roam over the large kitchen with Caro’s fancy American fridge and the Aga that I can never get to work as I’d like it to, the sitting room with its designer furniture and cosy feel, up the stairs to the bedrooms, all such a contrast to the damp, dingy flat I shared with Mags.