‘Sorry I just …’ She shrugged. ‘I suppose we do know each other well enough to be on first name terms now so John it is, and you must call me Sunday.’

‘It would be my pleasure.’

‘Good, then would you like to join me for tea? I was just about to make a pot, as it happens.’

He gave a gracious little bow and followed her into the kitchen just as the kettle on the hob began to sing. ‘Now that is what I call timing.’

She smiled as she spooned tea leaves into the pot and tipped the boiling water over them before placing the tea cosy over it and leaving it to mash.

‘And to what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?’ She ushered him towards a chair and sat down opposite him, suddenly noticing that he seemed rather ill at ease.

‘The thing is … I, er … I don’t quite know how to put this, so I’ll just come straight out with it. Have you noticed that Giles and Livvy are not getting on? I wondered if he had perhaps done something to offend her? He swore he hadn’t when I asked him, but they seem to be at each other’s throats every time they meet.’

Sunday looked very uncomfortable as she fiddled with the fringe on the chenille tablecloth. ‘In fairness I rather think this has more to do with Livvy than Giles,’ she admitted. On the few occasions she had spoken to the young man he had always been very polite.

When John raised a questioning eyebrow she rushed on, ‘I think it’s because … Treetops was Livvy’s home from the day she was born and she loves every inch of the place so I’m afraid she rather resents seeing someone else living there.’

‘I see.’ He stroked his chin thoughtfully and sighed. ‘Then I’m afraid there isn’t a lot you or I can do to improve the situation, is there? Apart from hope that she comes to terms with things in time, that is. But I would like her to know, and yourself and Kathy of course, that you are all more than welcome to visit any time you like. Speaking of which, I’d greatly enjoy it if you’d come to dinner next Thursday evening. Mr Dixon and his wife are coming, and I do so hate being the odd one out. You’d be doing me an enormous favour if you agreed to come, if only to make up the numbers.’

‘Then in that case I accept,’ Sunday agreed with a smile. It would be the first time she’d been in the house since they’d moved out, but she couldn’t avoid it forever. And John had been so kind, it felt rude to keep refusing his invitations.

Chapter Seventeen