I followed their advice.

I bought 400 pairs of socks, 200 of tights, and a box of stockings. I bought slipper socks, too, just in case.

I got a giant winged armchair, of green leather, brass-studded. Six deckchairs in striped Scarborough canvas. I bought in enough barstools to host a brawl. Fancy ones, mind, so only fancy brawls. With polite put-downs rather than broken teeth. A booster seat for the car. An old dusty sofa. I’ll do it up.

When I asked them what was the best thing to do with the inheritance, they told me, and I listened. Socks and chairs, they said. Invest in socks and chairs. So I did.