Nigel found out about Liam's letter by Saturday lunchtime.

By Saturday evening, there was a notice on every door in Kingsmere Gardens. EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING. Wednesday, 7pm. The Clubhouse.

Larkspur Estates has been sold to a company called Hearthstone Homes. The new owners are already ignoring residents' concerns. I have written to Hearthstone's Chief Executive demanding answers. She has agreed to attend in person.

Homeowners are urged to attend. Renters may observe from the back.

I read it on my doormat and laughed out loud.

Nigel had written to me. At my office. Without the faintest idea.

His letter was on my desk on Monday morning. Three pages, typed, with a list of demands. The green to be fenced, with key-fob gates for owners only. A higher monthly charge for renters, “to reflect the extra wear and tear.” The Owners' Parking signs to be made official. And the notice to the Carter family to be put back.

At the bottom, he'd written: I trust you will take the views of the Residents' Association seriously. We represent the real Kingsmere.

I wrote back one line.

Dear Mr Fairbrother, I'll be there on Wednesday. Kind regards, K. Ashby, Chief Executive.

I used my initial. Just to see.

He didn't notice.