Sales manager Brian Wearmouth had arranged to complete work on the home of Anne Darwin, the wife of Mr Darwin who turned up on Saturday after being missing for five years.

Mr Wearmouth, of Paul Berry Glazing Ltd in Brenda Road, visited The Cliff, in Seaton Carew twice in February this year to measure up and survey the property to replace 12 windows and two doors.

"She came down on the fifteenth and signed (the contract]," he said.
Mr Wearmouth said that he had been instructed by Mrs Darwin to get a survey done quickly because she wanted to sell the house.

"She said that she was thinking of moving to Portugal to me.

"Then we had a telephone call wanting to cancel, reason being someone had knocked on her door and offered to buy it there and then."

Mr Wearmouth said that the contract was cancelled five days later on February 20, and he had not yet ordered any materials.

He said that she was very "apologetic" and "genuine" about it.

But he said that he found it a bit strange because "it takes time to sell a house" and he expected that the new owner would want the windows fitted.

He said that "first and foremost it could have been an excuse," but he had no reason not to believe her.

He added: "She did say to me, which I thought was strange, was, 'I'm widowed' and there was no reason to tell me."