After two traumatic visits, it was good to know she was in safe hands. Allison relaxed for the first time that day. ‘It’s been a tiring morning.’ She almost laughed at the understatement.

Portia drew back. ‘Come inside, I’ll make us a cuppa and you can tell me all about it. Then I’m taking you out for lunch. No argument,’ she added, stopping Allison’s objection with a finger placed lightly across her lips. ‘Now you sit there, and I’ll put the kettle on.’

Tea was the last thing Allison wanted but it gave her time to get back into her role as grieving widow.

‘Here you go, darling.’ Portia put the tray down. ‘I was throwing the teabag into the bin, couldn’t miss the smashed crockery.’ She sat opposite and picked up one of the mugs of tea. ‘Shame about the teapot.’

‘It fell.’ Allison brought the mug up, sipped, holding it in front of her face.

‘Shame – worth a lot, that particular style. Possibly nearly two grand.’

Two grand! She could kill Jo. In fact, she might have to. ‘It belonged to Peter’s mother. I wouldn’t have put you down as a fan of Victorian china.’ What a mundane conversation. It would have made her smile on any other day.

‘Oh, I have eclectic taste. Anything pretty appeals.’

Portia tilted her head, the movement reminding Allison of the sparrow-like solicitor who’d stuck a pin in her dreams only a few hours before. Her expression must have told a tale because she saw tears appear in Portia’s eyes. Any moment they’d fall. Allison envied her the ability.

‘I wish I could take your pain away,’ Portia said.

‘Thank you. I’ll be fine. It’s just been a difficult morning.’ Perhaps she was looking for sympathy, and for once she thought, Why not? She deserved it. As she had that wonderful future she’d planned.

‘Do you want to talk about it?’

‘Our…’ She smiled sadly. ‘I’ll have to get used to saying “my”, won’t I?’ She lied; she’d never bothered adapting to saying our. ‘My solicitor called around first thing. It was kind of him, but I thought it was way too soon to be thinking of Peter’s estate, you know, it makes it all so final.’

‘Of course, I can understand completely.’ A tear trickled down Portia’s heavily made-up face. ‘So distressing for you.’