The remains of a fish and chip supper were on the table, Sam had his head down, his mother was sitting beside him, and when she looked up at her brother, he saw that he had interrupted something serious.

‘No,’ Cat said, seeing his face, ‘it’s fine. Sorry, there’s no supper left but you can make yourself something.’

She got up and started to clear away. Sam had not moved.

‘Good news about Wookie, by the way – all being well he can come home in a couple of days. He’s extremely lucky.’

‘Great. As I came in it seemed very strange not to have a whirling dervish round my heels and no cat either. Can I get you a drink?’

‘I’d like a coffee but have what you want.’

Simon looked at his nephew but Cat frowned and shook her head.

‘What have you been up to?’

‘Starly . . . the Chinese pharmacist. There’s something but I don’t know what, I can’t put my finger on it. I don’t think he’s up to anything but he knows something, or –’

Sam got up, averting his head as he said, ‘I’m going to have a shower. Hi, Si.’

‘Hi back. You OK?’ But his nephew was gone.

Simon turned on the coffee maker.

‘Shall I get a mug for Sambo?’

Cat shrugged.

They sat without speaking, Cat leaning her head back in the chair, eyes closed. Simon thought she looked exhausted. She seemed to have taken a lurch forward into middle age Did she look at him and think the same? Perhaps this was why he had been feeling itchy. Age. Just age.

‘If that was private, between you two, just say.’

Cat sighed and looked at him over her coffee. ‘No, he might easily have told either of us – maybe you more than me actually.’

‘Kieron?’

‘No. They’re fine but – no. Are you staying?’

‘No, I’ve got to do early stuff. Besides . . .’

‘Social call?’

‘Not entirely, but I’m not going to join the line of those wishing to unburden themselves. Well – maybe one thing. I was half wondering about moving.’

‘What, from the Lafferton force?’

‘Not the job, no – just, you know, from a top floor in the middle of town to somewhere with a bit of space – garden, something that’s mine.’

‘I can’t see you anywhere but in that beautiful calm white space. I can’t see you in a cottage with beams and an inglenook.’

‘Who said anything about all that? But yes, I might like a cottage, not too far out, but quiet. Country.’

‘Like here.’

‘Smaller.’

‘Why?’

Why? He couldn’t give her a sensible answer.

‘Just . . . you know.’

‘Not really. Makes sense to buy a property instead of renting the apartment for the rest of your life of course, but financial prudence is not why you’re thinking about it.’

‘Didn’t cross my mind.’