Theresa flicked idly through the pages of fading photos of christenings and children’s parties. Chloe in a fancy-dress costume, dressed as a witch. A goose-pimpled Lola, blue with cold, standing by the school pool, holding up a swimming medal. Cressida, shy and knock-kneed, in a huge school hat. Probably her first day, thought Theresa. Some pictures of a pantomime. It was hard to see through the make-up and work out whether any of her grandchildren were involved. She presumed they must be. Why else were the photos in here? She felt happy that Imogen kept up this book. After all, in these days of camera phones, very few people kept hard copies of photographs.

Theresa turned the page to a lovely full-length photo of Chloe in her costume as Juliet. She wished she could have seen the production. Chloe looked perfect in the part. So eager and innocent. Her hair down, flowing over the shoulders of a beautiful ivory and gold gown.

On the next page was another gorgeous photo – Romeo stooping over Juliet, who lay on top of the tomb. A handsome lad, in a maroon doublet and hose. This was followed by a photo of Chloe, this time in a line-up with some of the boys in the play. It had obviously been taken in the dressing room. Reflections showed other people who were not in costume looking on, laughing. Another with Chloe resting her head on the shoulder of Friar Laurence while two costumed boys, Romeo and probably Mercutio, gazed into one another’s eyes. Underneath was a handwritten label: ‘Love give me strength!’

Theresa smiled and closed the book.

How funny.

She went back into the kitchen and popped another pod into the coffee machine.

She pressed the button and the machine made its usual roaring noise. As she strolled back to the sofa, Theresa warmed her hands around the cup of extra-strong coffee.

Juliet in love with Friar Laurence! That would be a turn-up for Shakespeare’s plot!

She gripped the cup and slammed it down on to the tabletop so hard that it cracked.

She pulled out the photo album again and flicked urgently through to the back.

Fire! Laurence! A bald, old, fat man in a dress, who Cressida had barely noticed in the assembly hall, because she was too bored.

That was it!

She crammed the photo album into her tote bag, ran out on to the street and hailed a cab.

PART THREE

TÊTE DE MOINE ET SES LÉGUMES

Serves 8.

head of broccoli

4 carrots

4 courgettes

2 fennel bulbs

1 shallot, finely chopped

150g butter

1 cup white wine

salt and pepper

prepared chestnuts, to taste

200ml maple syrup

lemon juice, freshly squeezed

fresh parsley, chopped

Tête de Moine cheese, with its curler

Chop the vegetables and cook them in boiling water, making sure to put them in in order of hardness so that they all reach the same consistency (carrots first, courgettes last). When still al dente, drain and put aside.