"Yes, but I think it's with a view to staying permanently. Taking the children. Hugo wants to teach."

"Oh, he'd be so good at that!"

"Exactly, and Christina, too — PE, sports. They thought they'd retrain together out there. Etta's going to help them with visas and things; apparently teaching is a good way in. She's on the case."

“They'll have a totally different life."

"Quite. And obviously thousands of miles from Belinda." I was thoughtful. “So she's lost both her children."

"Well, one she doesn't appear to care much about, and the other has got to go."

“The house hasn't sold yet, has it? How long is she staying there, d'you know?"

"I haven't heard. There's talk of her moving to Wadebridge with her sister. Iris even told Roger she was looking forward to it."

"No."

Tommy shrugged. "Why not? Might even be a colossal release for her, too, who knows? But no one really mentions Belinda. Roger's moved out, though."

“Babs said that was about to happen. When?"

"Yesterday."

"And they have some plan to keep her house, but actually spend most of their time on some extraordinary boat?"

Tommy smiled. "He's sold all his smart dinghies and bought this thing at auction. It's huge and ancient and he's got it into his head they can sail it from Southampton to Barbados together. First thing he's shipping down to his cabin, by the way, is his portrait. Together with crates of booze, obviously."

"Obviously. How old is Roger?"

"Well, quite. He's still in short pants. But he'll make it. They'll make it."

"If they don't fall overboard intoxicated. But actually, what heaven for him." I sipped my wine. "I'm sure he only stayed with Belinda out of a sense of duty. Losing the house must be a huge wrench, though."

"He hasn't said a word, and actually, I'm not so sure. I personally think the house is what kept him there, loyalty to past generations of Bellingdons. But it was a tie. Now it's gone he doesn't have to stay. I actually think this whole affair will be pretty liberating for him."

"Yes, you're right, once this is over he'll be like a pig in clover. It's actually the best thing to happen to that family." I hesitated. "Well. Except, maybe . . .”

“She brought it on herself, Flora," he reminded me.

"I know, but still."

"Hey. Don't start getting all angsty about that woman. Don't you dare even attempt to state her case or I'll put down this very strange dish of sausages wrapped in batter which is weirdly growing on me, and allow you to ravage me, again."

"Oh, like the ravaging is always my idea?"

"Honey, I haven't been so thoroughly seduced since I spent six months in Rome with a divorcée who couldn't keep her undies up."

“Tommy, why would I want to know about that?"

"It's a good story. I'll tell Peter instead. When he's back from his outing with Janey."

“Do shut up."