All for a GOOD CAUSE

Sorry I’m late!’ said Emily as she arrived at her friend’s house just before three.

‘It’s OK. We’ve got plenty of time,’ said Chrissie. ‘I’ve got your costume all ready. It won’t take long to do your hair.’

Emily sat down at Chrissie’s dressing table, happy to let her put her hair up into a complicated Edwardian style suitable for the Downton Abbey Day that was due to start in an hour.

‘Did you get the strawberries OK?’ asked Chrissie, her mouth full of hair pins.

‘Yes, sort of. I picked them all right, but there was a man there!’

‘Where? In the vegetable garden?’

‘No! He was up a ladder, clearing the gutters, I think. I didn’t notice him at first. You know I’ve been treating that garden as my own personal allotment? The house has been empty for so long, it seemed such a waste for that wonderful sheltered spot not to be producing –‘ ‘You don’t have to convince me,