‘Steve from The Green Man recommended him. He did the pub roof and made a really good job of it, apparently. It’s going to cost several thousand, but if it needs to be repaired, I don’t suppose we’ve got much choice.’

‘Well, I know it’s been several years since I’ve had any work done on the thatch, so it’s probably long overdue. You tell him to go ahead and fix the lot, yours and mine. I’ll pay, and you can settle up with me when you can afford it. There’s no rush. I imagine money must be tight for you at the moment, with the baby on the way. Costly little things, babies.’ She smiled wistfully.

I was taken aback. ‘Are you sure? It’s a lot of money.’

‘I’ve still got Frank’s life insurance pay-out burning a hole in my pocket. It’s not like I need it so I can go off galivanting round the world or anything, is it?’

My only concern was getting the roof fixed. Her proposal seemed like the answer to our prayers, and at that moment, I could have hugged her.

‘Thank you so much, that’s really kind of you. And I promise we’ll pay back every penny as soon as we can.’

‘Like I said, only when you’re able. Can’t have you getting dripped on in the night, can we?’

*

We arranged for Kenny to come back towards the end of the week to start the work properly. Jack was amazed when I told him that evening of Mrs Barley’s offer to help us out.

‘Christ, we hardly know the woman really. She must be pretty comfortable if she’s got that kind of money to splash about.’ He looked doubtful.

‘She didn’t say how much she’s got, but I can’t imagine an insurance settlement would’ve been that big thirty years ago, not by today’s standards. I don’t suppose she needs much to live on, though. After all, she only has herself to worry about; it doesn’t sound as if she’s got any family to consider. Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth. I said we’d pay her back as soon as we could afford to – maybe we could set up a standing order or something?’

‘Yes, we must. I know we need the work doing, but I don’t like the idea of owing that much money to a stranger.’

‘But she’s not a stranger – not really. I mean, I feel like we’ve got to know her quite well since we moved in. I think it’s really generous of her.’