‘Don’t you dare,’ Naomi replied, picking out the right key to open their new front door.

The bunch fell from her hands as an athletic figure suddenly appeared from the side of the house.

‘Sorry,’ he said, extending a hand. ‘I’m John . . . John the handyman. I was just delivering a flyer through your letterbox.’

Naomi tried not to stare. He was what her sister would call ‘easy on the eye’, with defined cheekbones, ice-blue eyes and a mop of sandy-blond hair.

‘Good to meet you, John, I’m sure we’ll have plenty for you to do.’ Ed grinned, shaking him by the hand.

‘Are you from Nighbrook?’ Naomi said, hoping they had met their first neighbour.

‘God, no.’ John smiled. ‘I’d steer well clear of that place if I were you.’ He raised his hand as he said goodbye. ‘I’ll leave you to it. You’ve got my number, anything you need, just give me a bell.’

‘What was that about?’ Ed said, watching him steadily amble up the path.

‘I’ve no idea.’ Naomi laughed nervously. It wasn’t the best of starts.

But she didn’t have time to dwell on it as Ed scooped her up in his arms. ‘It’s time, Sassenach. Get yourself in there and do my bidding.’

‘Put me down.’ Naomi giggled. Taking comfort in Ed’s strong arms, she relented as he stole a kiss.

Their moment of intimacy was broken as Morgan tutted in ill-concealed disgust. ‘Get a room, will you?’

‘That’s what we’re trying to do.’ Naomi laughed.

Still in her husband’s embrace, she was trying to open the door. At last it creaked open, and Ed gently deposited her on the floor. She tried not to cough as the cloying smell of damp hit the back of her throat. A stream of light filtered in through the hall from the open living room door, highlighting the dust particles shifting beneath their feet.

‘This place needs a good airing,’ Naomi said, her voice echoing around the space.

But her husband’s eyes were on Morgan as she sought out her bedroom.

‘Yours is on the right,’ Naomi called after her. ‘Ours is on the left.’

She was grateful that the layout offered them some privacy, at least.