They walked up the stairs to the kitchen, and Thomas opened the wine, sniffed it, then poured it into a glass decanter and left it to breathe. He then prepared the cheese and cut some slices of freshly baked brown bread. ‘I made this myself,’ he said proudly. He presented the bread and cheese on a large wooden board with a slicer, and handed out side plates, side knives and napkins. Placing three crystal wine glasses on the kitchen breakfast bar, Thomas poured the wine.

‘The Médoc is arguably the most famous red wine district in the world, home to many of the greatest and most renowned names of Bordeaux. Please follow my lead, Jane.’ He picked up his glass by the stem and gently swirled the wine, before sniffing it.

Nick sighed. ‘I must have seen and heard this a thousand times.’

Jane whacked him on the arm. ‘Don’t be so rude to your father,’ she said.

Thomas smiled and continued. ‘With few exceptions, the region produces only red wine, and no white wine has the right to be called Médoc.’ He took a sip, let it linger on his palate, then swallowed. ‘Nectar of the gods,’ he beamed.

Jane raised her glass. ‘Cheers.’

Jane thought the cheese went well with the wine and the homemade bread was delightful. Thomas asked her about the site and when they’d be able to reopen. Jane repeated everything she’d told Nick. ‘The site might be able to open again within the next few days, but the final decision is up to my DCS.’

Thomas frowned. ‘I understand the decision to reopen the site is not yours to make. However, when I purchased the old convent, I had my solicitors go over everything with a fine-tooth comb. They reassured me the buildings and land had been deconsecrated.’

Jane wondered if he was telling the truth. ‘Can you remember who carried out the deconsecration?’

‘I don’t know. I was told it took place after the nuns moved out and before the convent was put up for sale, which was nearly two years before I actually bought it.’

‘Did the diocese oversee the sale?’

‘Yes, a bishop and their solicitors did.’

‘Can you recall who it was? I may need to speak to him.’ She doubted it was Bishop Meade, as he would probably have been a lowly priest sixteen years ago.

He shrugged. ‘I can’t remember his name now. Their legal department consulted with my solicitors. But the original documents should be stored at our office.’

‘I had a quick look but couldn’t find them,’ Nick said, then looked at Jane. ‘Sorry, I forgot to tell you.’

‘Well, I wouldn’t have thrown them away,’ Thomas said, testily. ‘I suppose my previous secretary might have had a clear-out when we moved to our current office a few years ago.’