‘Not a lot,’ she said, ‘because I can’t stretch to a lot, but it’ll make a big difference. We’re knocking through from the dining room and there’ll be a lot more glass, so it’ll be lighter. I’ll have to show you the plans sometime so you can give me your expert opinion.’

‘Edie is a wonderful architect,’ said Giles, with heart-warming pride.

‘I must introduce her to my Ron,’ said Kerry, nodding.

‘Ah yes,’ he replied, his elbow digging into me lest the significance of the reference pass me by.

‘He’s coming to June’s wine and cheese,’ said Kerry.

Giles’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. ‘Out of choice?’

‘He had a chance to get us some cheap tickets for something,’ explained Kerry, ‘but I told him I couldn’t miss June’s, so he said he’d come along – if it was OK with her.’

‘It’ll be super to meet him properly,’ said Giles, picking up a cocktail stick and skewering an olive. ‘I’ve only spoken to him in passing a few times to date, Edie, but he seems like an all-round nice chap. I’m sure the two of you will have lots to talk about.’

I shifted a little in my seat. ‘Well, I’m not sure I can actually make it yet, Giles. I must check my diary.’

‘Oh, of course, of course. I know what a busy work and social life you have, and the wine and cheese evenings do tend to be a little elderly. You mustn’t feel under any obligation to come.’

He smiled reassuringly, whilst sounding a little deflated, and I felt suddenly guilty that my lack of enthusiasm for hanging out with his geriatric neighbour might be to blame for that. Giles, along with June and Kerry, had gone to an awful lot of trouble to make me feel welcome that day. The least I could do was appear grateful.

‘Actually, I could check right now,’ I said, taking my phone from the back pocket of my jeans. ‘It was the seventeenth, wasn’t it? And yes, I’m free!’

‘Marvellous,’ said Giles, now grinning broadly. ‘June will be over the moon.’

‘I just hope that I don’t feel like too much of an interloper on the night,’ I said.

Kerry took another large gulp of wine. ‘Ron’s an interloper but you’re not. You’re a resident. So you’d better get your speech ready.’

I laughed, but stopped short when I realised that neither Kerry nor Giles was joining in.

Giles gave Kerry a sidelong glance before returning his attention to the table. ‘Hadn’t actually planned on mentioning that just yet,’ he murmured, his lips barely moving.

‘Ooh,’ she said, her face falling. ‘Sorry.’

I laughed again. ‘Stop winding me up.’

‘So are you going for grey-green or grey-blue kitchen units?’ asked Giles.