Nigel read out his demands one by one. The owners at the front nodded and murmured. “One. The green must be fenced, for the use of homeowners and their guests only.” Applause from some of the front rows.

“Two. Tenants must pay a higher service charge. They cause more wear and tear.”

More nodding.

“Three. The Owners' Parking scheme must be made official.”

“Four.” He paused and looked over his glasses at the back of the room, straight at Liam. “The notice to the household at number twelve, which was wrongly withdrawn, must be reinstated.”

Liam went white. Josh and Sam stopped eating their crisps.

Doris gripped her stick so hard her knuckles went pale.

“Kingsmere Gardens,” said Nigel, “was built for people who are committed to it. People who've invested. Not people passing through. And when the Chief Executive of Hearthstone Homes finally decides to turn up”—he looked at his watch again—“I intend to make that very clear.”

I took a deep breath.

“She's already here, Nigel,” I said.