Anthony, meanwhile, was curled up and fast asleep on top of the duvet, taking full advantage of his master’s weakened state and in direct contravention of Giles’s one and only Anthony-related house rule (No Anthonys allowed on any beds, at any time). The jug of water I had left on the bedside table was still three-quarters full and the medication apparently untouched.

‘How are you?’ I asked, placing a fresh glass of water and a plate of toast on the table before sitting down on the edge of the bed. I placed a hand on his forehead, as he looked sleepily up at me. ‘You don’t feel as if you’ve got a temperature.’

He shook his head and yawned. ‘I swear it was those mussels. Dear God, is that Anthony?’ he added weakly, lifting his head. ‘Get off the bed, Anthony.’

Anthony half-opened his eyes and then flopped onto his side.

Giles sighed despairingly and lowered his head back down onto the pillow.

‘I’ll take him with me when I go,’ I said. ‘How are you feeling?’

‘Better. I fell asleep just after you left. What time is it now?’ He glanced at the window. ‘Is it after six?’

‘It’s two thirty. I took a half-day.’

‘Not for me, I hope.’

I picked up and proffered the plate of toast. ‘Too soon for this?’

‘Not at all. I’m starving. Thank you,’ he said, taking it from me, before eyeing the single, dry slice of wholemeal with obvious disappointment.

‘Kerry recommended dry toast only, and she’s a mum, so…’

‘You’ve had a conversation with her?’ he asked, appearing immediately brighter.

‘That might be overstating it slightly. I was talking to Nicky at the gate and Kerry came out. Nicky told her you were ill and she offered some advice.’

He bit into the toast.

‘I could tell she was worried about you, Giles.’

He offered me a half-smile and continued to chew.

‘Nicky wanted me to apologise to you for being loud on Friday night. Sounds like Andy had a go at her for it. I told her it was fine and not to worry.’

‘I wasn’t at all offended,’ he said, taking a second bite of toast.

‘That’s what I said. She also asked if you’d like to hear more about the friend she mentioned to you at June’s. I think she’s pretty keen to get the pair of you together. I know that’s not top of your list today, but I wanted to tell you before I forgot,’ I added.

He put down his toast and twisted to reach for the glass of water.

‘Here,’ I said, passing it to him.

‘Thanks.’

‘So, are you interested?’

‘In what?’ He looked at me over the top of the glass as he sipped the water.

‘In Nicky’s friend.’