He nodded and took it down from the mantelpiece for Chloe to see. Close up she saw he had finer features than his father. They both held fishing rods and had broad smiles on their faces.

‘He looks like you and you both look very pleased with yourselves.’

‘We’d been mackerel fishing. Got a good haul. He loves fishing. I take him out in the Marisco when I’m over Brixham way.’ He laid the frame on the coffee table.

‘Will Katya really move back to Poland?’ Chloe asked.

‘Maybe. She’s an accountant,’ he said. ‘There’s a job waiting for her back in Krakow with her brother’s firm. Connor already has dual nationality and experience of a new country is something I’d never try to take away from him. Katya’s made it clear I can visit whenever I like and it’s only a couple of hours’ flight from Bristol but it’s not the same. I’m gutted, to be honest, but I want what’s best for my son. My needs have to come second.’

Drew stopped and took a sip of his whisky. She could almost feel the anguish he was suppressing.

‘I think – in fact, I do know what you mean … it was hard when Fraser and I went through the divorce. Hard for us and for Hannah. In fact, I got over it a lot faster than she has.’

He looked at her. ‘A rift like that is never easy. It takes a long long time and the ripples go on and on, catching you unawares when you least expect it …’

‘Yes. The split itself was painful and disruptive; I missed Fraser like mad. I still do miss him, but … I hadn’t realised how unhappy I had been until the burden was lifted. Poor Fraser, fancy describing him as a burden. Makes him sound like an old sofa I needed to take to the tip.’

Drew laughed. ‘Was he?’

‘Oh no. He was – still is – tall, dark and handsome and charming. Surrey’s most eligible bachelor in his youth. He ended up in our local county mag once. Even offered himself up for auction for charity. That was all before he met me, I hasten to add, but you know, I think he still likes the attention.’ She laughed, and surprised herself. She still fancied Fraser but for the first time, she genuinely thought she wouldn’t take him back even if he offered.

Drew rolled his eyes. ‘You’ll forgive if I’m not impressed.’

‘I forgive you but I have to be honest. I liked being married to this tall, dark, handsome bloke who only had eyes for me. Or so I thought.’

‘Playing away, was he?’