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Spannier; cousins of Richard’s.’
    â€˜How do you do?’ Said in unison and accompanied by a bone-crushing handshake from both.
    Christina explained. ‘Mr Wallberg is a lawyer from Sweden. He’s working here with our solicitors in London.’ The Colonel examined him. ‘Really? Finding the law here very different, I expect.’
    â€˜Very different,’ he agreed, ‘but interesting.’
    Jane Spannier turned to Christina. ‘My dear, you’ve been wonderful the way you’ve coped. I just feel we could have done more to help, but our son Harry’s coming home at the end of the month, thank God, and we’ve been getting one of the cottages ready for him. He’s going into Peter’s agricultural suppliers business and helping to manage the farm.’
    â€˜Jane, please, you couldn’t do anything better than come today and support us. I’m so glad your boy’s coming back, I know you’ve missed him.’
    Peter Spannier snorted. ‘Boy! He’s thirty-five, but Jane thinks he’s still a schoolboy. She’s been running round like a broody hen getting the nest ready.’ He smiled at his wife affectionately. She was born a Farrington, but she was the exact opposite of her cousin, Richard. Forthright, sensible, perhaps lacking a little imagination, he conceded privately, but dead straight and lion-hearted in her loyalty. They had been happily married for nearly forty years.
    â€˜I’ll tell you what,’ Jane said, ‘when Harry comes home we’ll invite ourselves to stay. I’d love him to meet you and Belinda, and see RussMore again. Would that be a good idea?’
    Christina said, ‘It’d be wonderful. Just call me when you want to come.’
    â€˜I will,’ Jane promised. ‘We’ll get ourselves another cup of tea and a sandwich and then I’m afraid we’ll have to be off. It’s a hell of a drive home.’
    She turned briefly to Wallberg. ‘We live on the Norfolk coast,’ she explained. ‘Hope you enjoy your time in London. Come along, Peter. Goodbye, Christa dear. Look after yourself, and for heaven’s sake, ring up if you feel like a chat.’ She kissed her briskly on the cheek.
    As they moved away, Christina said, ‘They’re very nice; they’re not close relations, but they were very supportive when I was first married. Thank you for looking after Lindy; she told me she likes you.’
    â€˜She’s a charming girl,’ he answered, ‘and very direct. She’s frightened her half-brother is going to hurt you and take the house away, but I told her Mr Stone and I wouldn’t let him.’
    He has the coldest eyes, she thought; there wasn’t a flicker of human warmth in them. ‘I think she must have believed you. She’s over there, eating cake and talking to some more cousins. She didn’t mention that awful thing he said at the end. I don’t know why I didn’t slap him right across the face!’ She flushed red as she said it. Not all softness and vulnerability. There was anger there, and a maternal instinct that could turn ferocious. ‘For the same reason that I didn’t punch him,’ he said calmly. ‘It would be playing his game, and we’re not going to do that.’
    â€˜We?’ she questioned.
    â€˜Yes. Humfrey didn’t have time to tell you, but I shall be working with him on your affairs. I shall do my best for you; I promised your daughter, and I never break my promises to children.’ He nodded, dismissing himself, and walked away, out of the door.
    Humfrey Stone came up to her. ‘I’ll be going now, Mrs Farrington. Is someone staying with you tonight?’
    â€˜No, several people offered, but I said no. Lindy and I will be together; there’s the housekeeper and her husband. We’ll be fine. I’m actually so very tired.’
    â€˜I’m not