“Of course, and Finetta, I expect a good governess is all she’ll need in good time. I’m happy to arrange any system you like; and for now, if I could come for tea, I’ll only stay an hour or so. We’ve got to start somewhere, Douglas. I don’t see what Joan has to do with it. It has nothing to do with her whether I see my children or not.” She picked up her cup.

“They’re not in Hertfordshire.”

“But she told me they were with you.”

“Did she?” He stubbed his cigarette. “They were,” and held his glass up to a passing waiter, “for the weekend. This one just gone. More soda.”

“For the weekend?”

“I’ve been abroad. I imagine Joan told you that.”

“But they must have been with Everett?” Her tea was cold.

“How could they be?” He ran his hand over his mouth.

“They were for all the years you weren’t there either,” said Enid. “Everett, Mary. What difference did your presence ever make?”

“I had a wife who assured me she was there too.”

Enid put her cup down as carefully as she could, but it still rattled in the saucer and wouldn’t sit straight. She pushed it away. “Did you send them to Scotland?”

“That summer, I did.” The waiter returned with Douglas’ glass. He took a sip. “You must know he’s become her heir, Enid.”

“He’s always been her heir. I don’t see what difference that makes.”

“Not your mother’s.” He looked as if he’d give anything to leave that sentence unfinished. He took another cigarette.

She stared at him, daring him.

“He’s Joan’s,” he said, and when she didn’t speak he cannoned his sentence at her again, as if she was stupid or deaf or blind. “He’s Joan’s heir.”

She opened her mouth and closed it again. He must have got the wrong end of the stick. He’d been away. The family had never trusted him anyway. She smoothed imaginary creases from her lap. “Don’t be ridiculous, Douglas. Joan has no more money than I do. Ian is mother’s—” but all of a sudden, as Douglas dropped his gaze, as his hands shook and he couldn’t make the lighter work, all of her worlds imploded at once. Just like that. In a flash of pure clean understanding.

She stood up. Douglas stood up too. “Surely you must have realised that would happen? What did you think she was going to do with it all? Put it in a savings account for your eventual return?”

“She promised it to Ian.”

“And he shall have it.”

“From Joan.”

Douglas nodded. “From Joan.”

“And Joan has mother’s estate.”

“Yes.”

“And mother is still alive.”

“Yes.”

“In Scotland.”

“Really Enid, it can’t be complicated to understand. You walked out. Your mother is old. She wanted to be sure everyone was safe.”