Finn and Johnny exchanged a look that she couldn’t quite interpret. “There’s such a mythology around the Knights,” Finn said. “But again very little record of what, if anything, they did here.” He shook his head. “Sorry, I should have asked if you’d like to come in and join us, Lucy. Can I get you a drink?”

“You need to try the local craft beer,” Johnny said, “but only if you don’t have any plans for the rest of the day. It’s seriously strong.”

“Thanks, but I’m fine,” Lucy said, smiling. Persis was giving off the sort of vibe that suggested she wouldn’t welcome an addition to the party and Lucy remembered the shopping that was probably sitting in the sun and the sweet pea bouquet that would be wilting by now.

“I need to get back to sort out the shopping Persis has brought me,” she said. “I went a bit mad in the deli with so much great stuff to choose from.” She smiled at Johnny. “I hope you enjoy the dig. I’ll look forward to seeing what you find. Oh—” She paused, remembering Verity’s request. “I almost forgot—Finn, Verity asked me to let you know that when the barns were converted, they did a survey of the site and found some sort of pit beneath the buildings. It was sealed so they didn’t see what, if anything, was inside, but as there were no results showing on the survey they assumed it was empty. The surveyor thought it was probably storage for produce from the Victorian kitchen gardens.”

Finn had been listening carefully and now he frowned. “That’s interesting,” he said. “I’ll ask Verity if I can see the original survey. I still think there may be some relics of the Tudor garden under the barn.”

“That would be amazing,” Lucy said, “though it’s a shame there’s no access to the pit to help date it and see if there are any clues.”

“I’ll come down and take a look anyway,” Finn said. “If that would be okay? Once I’ve seen the plans and worked out where the hatch is under the current building, I can take some measurements and maybe use ground radar. We’ll see. Anyway, thanks for letting me know.”

“No problem,” Lucy said.

“Actually I wonder whether I could come down now,” Finn said suddenly, “and pick up a book Verity says is on the shelves there? It’s The History and Antiquities of the Village of Knightstone, by Edmund Sharpe. Charlie had been working on it and there was a note in his files to check out something he referred to as ‘the black-and-white photos.’ I don’t know what he meant but I didn’t want to miss anything.”

“I haven’t seen the book,” Lucy said, “but there are all sorts of local history and natural history books down there. You’re welcome to come and look for it.”

“Gabe says Edmund Sharpe has no historical credibility,” Persis drawled. Finally she had uncurled herself from the swing seat and sauntered over to join them. “He included folklore and myths and ghost stories in his books as though they were true. Personally I think they might well be.”