She'd come alone to my studio the following day and I rarely let anyone do that. I think I was happy to do it because she was a fellow artist and also she was going back to America. But maybe it was something else. Maybe I'd spotted something sympathetic within her; something deep and quiet.

“She's painting like fury," said Tommy, as if reading my thoughts. "All day, every day. And my sisters have been amazing. Kit-Kat, the eldest, has a cottage in her garden, a converted boathouse. She's trying to get Mum to move in there, but she won't. She says she's not done parenting yet. Doesn't want to be in the granny annex."

“That'll be you," I told him.

"Oh sure, the baby she despairs of." He grinned and reached cheerfully for his glass. "Keeps her on her toes." He winked. “She's happy about that. I'm doing everyone a favor."

"I'm sure you are. Give her my love."

"I will do. She liked you."

I knew this to be true, but nonetheless, a genuine compliment like this was rare and I glanced up at him, surprised.

"And yours?" he said smoothly, moving on.

I'd forgotten he'd met Mum and it momentarily wrong-footed me. Suddenly, we were seventeen years old again, back in my family home, Mum making tea for him and Hugo when he'd come to apologize after the hunt. I realized he'd have met her at our wedding, too.

"Oh – she's fine. Really well. But actually, someone's seen her far more recently than me." I leaned across. "Peter, how was Granny?"

My interruption gave Janey an opportunity to turn to Hugo on her other side. Peter wasn't quite old enough to realize he was monopolizing her, and Janey shot me a smile as she turned. Belinda had also broken off on hearing what she thought was her name. She beamed eagerly and expectantly down the table.

“Really well," Peter replied. “She's got lots of students, so that's good. But London's the pits at the moment, it's so hot. I thought she might be able to come down here?" He turned to his other grandmother.

"Oh, your mother, Flora," said Belinda. "I heard ‘Granny.’ Oh, I am glad she's busy, such a worry for you, making ends meet. Yes, well, Peter, if your mother and her friend could share—"

"I'm sure she's far too busy," I said quickly. I'd known Peter had meant to stay here, in the house, and that Belinda hadn't even entertained it. And ‘your friend’ again, not ‘Celia’. I felt myself burn.

"Ah, your lovely ma!" Roger roared in, oblivious. "Now she really did get the county buzzing. Everyone was mad for her – what a beauty! Did you ever meet her, Tommy?"

"I did."