FIVEThe tea-party went off as well as could be expected. Fancy had kicked a little.
‘But who is this Elizabeth Moore? I’m sure I’ve never heard you speak about her. Does she keep a shop?’
‘Her uncle does. He’s rather well known as a matter of fact. The Moores used to have a big country house out beyond Melling. Three of them were killed in the first world war, and the three lots of death duties smashed them. Jonathan was the fourth. When it came to everything being sold up he said he’d have a shop and sell the things himself—that’s how he started. Elizabeth’s father and mother are dead, so she lives with him.’
‘How old is she?’
‘She’s three years younger than I am.’
‘But I don’t know how old you are.’
‘I’m twenty-eight.’
‘Then—she’s twenty-five?’
He burst out laughing.
‘Bright gir
