Jane thought he looked agitated. ‘It’s OK. I got a copy of the planning documents from the Bromley planning department. I’ve yet to read through them all but I’m sure the answers will be in there.’

When they’d finished eating, Nick cleared the table and put the dishes and cutlery in the dishwasher.

‘Please excuse me, Jane, but it’s time for my afternoon nap. You are welcome to stay and have a look around.’

‘Nick has already given me the tour. Thank you for your hospitality.’

‘We’ll be off now, Dad,’ Nick said. ‘I know how much you need your beauty sleep.’

‘See what I have to put up with, Jane? He’s always been a cheeky so-and-so. If his mother were still here, she’d put him in his place.’

‘Good to see you, Dad,’ Nick said, giving him a hug.

‘It’s been a pleasure meeting you again, Thomas,’ Jane said.

He shook her hand. ‘You keep him in his place, Jane – and make sure he takes you to the Ivy next time.’

Thomas followed them out to Nick’s car and waved them goodbye. When they were out of sight he returned to the chapel and immediately picked up the phone. It connected after three rings.

‘Lee Holland speaking.’

‘You’re not going to believe this. Nick is dating that Tennison policewoman.’

‘What, the one who’s dealing with the coffin?’ Lee asked.

‘Yes, that one!’ Thomas barked.

‘Jesus Christ, what are we going to do, Tom? We could go to prison if she finds out what happened.’

‘I know that! If she interviews Archbishop Malone it could open up a whole can of worms and ruin us and the company. If you’d have done what I told you years ago with that bloody coffin we wouldn’t be in this mess now!’

*

On the journey back to Chislehurst, Nick invited Jane to stay the night.

‘I’d love to,’ she said. ‘But I’ve got a meeting with one of my DCs at eight, then one with my DI and DCS. I’ve also got to look through those bloody planning documents and type up my notes for the meetings.’

‘I can help you with the planning documents.’

She smiled. ‘There’s no way we’d get any work done sitting in the same room together.’

‘I promise I’ll behave,’ he said.

‘It’s not you I’m worried about,’ she said with a grin.

‘OK,’ he sighed, ‘I give in. Can I see you tomorrow?’

‘Of course. I should be finished by five.’

‘I’ll do some design drawings tomorrow to give you some idea of what you could do downstairs, then bring them round in the evening.’

‘I’ll cook a meal for us then. But I have to warn you, I’m no Delia Smith.’

‘That’s OK,’ he said with a grin. ‘I see you more as the Fanny Cradock type, anyway.’