Chapter 33

Lunch was ready by the time he'd finished explaining everything and they sat at the kitchen table to eat a superb spread of roast chicken with all the trimmings.

When he eventually stood up, Kim was so full that he was afraid he might burst.

"Mrs T," he said, with absolute sincerity, "that is definitely the best dinner I have ever had since I left home. I didn't think anyone in the world could cook as well as our cook at home."

He gave her a mock salute.

"Now I really must go. Now don't forget?"

"I know," Tilly said. "The telephone is on a direct line to you. I am to call if anything goes wrong."

"And?"

"And I must put out the basket every evening with the list of things for the next day."

"Good girl." And she did, indeed, look like a girl when she smiled like that. He found himself thinking what a stunner she must have been in her youth. Had been, in fact. He had seen the photographs.

"Goodbye, Johnny. I'll be back at the weekend. Take care of each other, now."