And I got a Danish pastry. I shouldn’t really, but I couldn’t resist.’Eva has diabetes, has done for years, but it never seems to restrict her diet. That’s another thing Rosemary worries about.‘Did you have a gorgeous pudding at The Castle?’ I asked. ‘I believe they do really super ones.’‘Well, I did have a chocolate thing but it was quite small.’‘Was it a good evening?’‘Yes, it was.’ She smiled. ‘A really good evening.’ ‘Did Donald want to tell you about Alan and their tight spot?’‘For a bit, but really we just talked. He’s the most interesting man, been everywhere, seen everything, met the most extraordinary people.’‘Like Alan.’She nodded. ‘Oh, Sheila, I do love being down here – I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else – but sometimes, just sometimes, I do miss it all. For goodness’ sake don’t tell Rosemary, but I miss the – the buzz, not just Alan, though of course that’s the worst, but just the feeling of being at the centre of things, of conversations that aren’t just – well, you know …’ ‘Parochial.
