Alicia, Gill, Manjy and Steve lunched early, so as to be ready for the workers arriving later. The birdwatcher parked his estate car and walked into a sturdy looking farmhouse, just over the fields from the dig. He took off his boots in the kitchen and walked through into the living room to the phone in stocking feet.
"Robert?" he said. "They've made a start already ... Yes, I'll be keeping an eye on them ... Ring again if they show signs of turning up anything of interest? Naturally, that's the whole point of my being here. Yes, ...'Bye."