Sitting this morning with tea in a purple mug and looking at a painting on the wall opposite, yellow flowers in a stone jug, not quite sunflowers, the jug on a small turquoise table beside a bowl of oranges, a couple comfy chairs and much greenery to suggest a patio, and despite its note of contented solitude it welcomes friendship, intimate chat, laughter on a fine afternoon.

It’s the oranges that do it.