‘Aren’t we all?’ Alex says cheerfully. ‘Bill told me you need somewhere to crash for a while.’

‘Yes, I have a … project,’ she says, and realising immediately how vague and evasive that sounds, adds, ‘Research.’

‘Aha. Anything interesting?’

‘Maybe. I’ve a way to go yet.’

‘There’s a boat a little further down the Floating Harbour. Halcyon Days. The owners had a sitter lined up but they were let down at the last minute. They’d rather have someone there for security.’

‘Halcyon Days. What a coincidence!’ When Nevis was young, Honor would read to her from a children’s book of Greek myths. Her favourite was Alcyone, daughter of the god of the wind, whom Zeus turned into a kingfisher after her husband Ceyx, son of Lucifer, was drowned at sea. ‘Our boat up in London is the Kingfisher.’

‘Our…?’

‘My daughter and I.’

‘Oh.’ She watches a smile appear on his face, the lines at the corners of his eyes deepening.

‘Do you have kids?’

‘A son. He’s grown up now.’ There’s a pause during which words fall away, then patting his thighs as if about to stand up, Alex goes on, ‘The boat is a minute’s walk away. Why don’t we go and take a look at her?’

They make their way along the waterfront past mostly unoccupied boats and arrive at a sixty-footer trad with a cratch cover and a smart red trim, the name painted in black and gold.

Alex jumps aboard and holds a hand out to Honor who, surprising herself, takes it. ‘They winterised before they left, but I assume you can deal with that…?’

‘Fresh fuel, coolant, water.’

‘Check the batteries.’

‘Radiators?’

‘Burner only.’

The fit-out below deck is less Halcyon Days and more Has Seen Better Days, but there is a dual-fuel stove and a kitchenette, the master bedroom is at the stern, a configuration Honor prefers, and someone has fitted cupboards in the engine cubby. It feels right.

‘As you can see, she needs some TLC. The bulkhead panelling could do with a strip down and revarnish. And there’s a couple of other bits and pieces, depending on how long you need to stay. The owners said they’d waive rental in return for maintenance. How does that sound?’

Alex throws the keys in the air and catches them again.

‘Brilliant,’ Honor says.

‘Want to think about it?’

‘I don’t need to.’

Alex looks pleased and relieved. ‘So when would you like to move in?’

‘No time like the present.’

He laughs and, teasing the keys from his ring, hands them to her. ‘I’ll leave you to settle in. I’m usually on the Helene. Drop by and let me know how you’re getting on.’

Once he’s gone, she calls Bill and passes on the news.

‘Alex seems nice,’ she says.

‘Oh does he?’ Bill says. She decides to ignore the edge in his voice.