"Well, he may not. And I'm not sure I can interfere on the female front . . .”

"No — no, he wouldn't like that. Doesn't know you. And also, he'd smell a rat. Because — how would you know?"

"Well, how would I know about anything?"

"Because obviously I've told you, and that's fine. But not — you know. Janey. Excuse me."

I was rapidly clearing the plates. Ted rose to help but I shooed him down. "No, no, you stay here. Honestly, I prefer to — to stack the dishwasher on my own. Bit anal, about where it all goes, plates touching, that type of thing."

"Oh, OK." He lowered back down.

"Back in a mo."

He stayed put and I hurried inside. Threw the plates in the sink any old how and got my phone out. The number had to be found first and I panicked briefly about not having it, but — oh, thank goodness. There it was. When Peter had gone sailing with him in Cowes a couple of years ago, invited to race with him in the regatta, Tommy had sent it to me. My thumbs flew about.

“Do not, under any circumstances, talk to Peter. I have a new plan.”

I paused. Deleted new plan. I swallowed, my mouth dry, trying to think. How not to sound cunning. Calculating.

“I have a feeling I should try again myself.”

I left it at that. No explanation. Did it look a bit weak?

“Mother to son,”

I added. More emphasis was needed.

“So please do not, OK?”

The shortest of missives, but the composing of it had taken longer than I thought. When I turned, Ted was behind me, bearing the salad bowl.

“Hi!” I leaped a mile in the sky. Pocketed my phone. He blinked.

“Hi . . .”

I knew he'd seen it. I patted my pocket. “My Mum," I told him. "I'd um . . . told her earlier. About Peter. She was just asking how it was going."

"Ah. And what does she think?"

“She, er — she — agrees with you." I flew to the fridge, my face hot. "Cheesecake? Not mine, I'm afraid, but it's from the bakery."

“Sure, why not."

I handed it to him. "I'll get the plates and cream."

I waited. I hadn't managed to send the message. He needed to go. He looked a bit disconcerted, but then he went out with the cheesecake. I furtively retrieved my phone and pressed send. Then I joined him outside in the garden.