Chapter 19

“I’m frying bacon,” was Adrian’s greeting as he stepped back to let Percy in. “And there’s coffee.”

Percy made a poorly concealed groaning noise. “Marry me,” he said. “Marry me now.”

Adrian snorted. “Come on through.”

The flat had a reasonably-sized kitchen that was obviously used by someone who cooked. There were pans stacked within easy reach of the hob, washing up piled on the draining board ready to be put away and a line of herbs in small pots on the windowsill.

Adrian gestured to the wheelback chairs around the kitchen table. “Take a seat,” he said. “I’ve just got to do the eggs.”

The kitchen smelled of delicious breakfast goodness and Percy’s mouth watered.

“Did they get off all right?” Adrian asked, putting a mug of coffee down on the table in front of him.

Percy inhaled the scent for a second before replying.

“Yes. He’s pretty stiff, but that’s only to be expected. She seems really competent, though. She was a captain in the army nursing corps in the war.”