“We’ve discussed what would be the best time to tell you, Siân. Alex assures me that time is now, so I’ll trust his judgment.” He broke off for a second to reassure her hesitant face that he was not preparing her for any more bad tidings. “I don’t know if you know—perhaps you do—that Will had an insurance policy to cover him in the unsafe places he so often traveled to?’

Siân closed her magazine and looked up at this, uncomprehending, giving Henry her undivided attention. Henry tried to smile, then continued. “It’s easiest to be plain. I’m the executor of Will’s estate, and since the coroner’s final verdict a month or so ago established he was in no way culpable in his own death, I’ve had a letter to the effect that half of the policy he had in place—which he renewed only a short time prior—is to be drawn in your favor. In other words, there’s a sizeable legacy to come to you. I should have a check within the month. I wanted to be able to pass it to you and explain then; but Alex feels you need a little good news now, so I’m preempting its arrival.”

In total shock, Siân hedged at this. “But, Henry, we’d parted. It’s surely an oversight?”

“No. Not at all. He decided in June, when he’d already moved out from the flat you shared. Max is the other beneficiary. I think he wanted you to find some happiness, independence, security—even without him. He obviously cared very much for you, Siân. I don’t know the precise figure yet; but it will be a solid start toward a flat. And speaking personally, I couldn’t be happier. Nor could Alex.”

The extraordinary disclosure, the knowledge that Will cared enough for her to have thought of this, prompted Siân’s heavy flow of tears. Lucy leaped up at once and threw her arms around them both with the jacket and a needle still in her hands, pricking herself slightly in the bargain. Instinctively she clutched at the lining for some fabric to cushion the sting and slow the blood, and in the action her fingers came upon something small and firm that had dropped through from the pocket of Will’s coat to the interior lining. She knew that the “something” would almost certainly be golden, with a ruby inset: and she smiled before she looked.