The following morning, Ernest went to work, leaving Emma to spend the day unpacking and arranging the rest of their things. She took her time, avoiding exertion, but by lunchtime she was fanning herself and staring at walls, bored. After eating the sandwiches the cook – whose name, Emma discovered, was Chun – had prepared, Emma wandered outside to inspect the pretty bushes in the garden. Some were in flower. She had never seen such flowers, so large and colourful and scented. She had just strolled over to a bush in full bloom when a very English-sounding voice called out, ‘Yoo-hoo,’ taking her by surprise.
A woman appeared in a gap in the dense foliage separating the two properties.
‘Hello.’ She beamed at Emma. ‘Welcome to Orchard Road.’ She had a strong, loud and distinctly plummy voice
