“Just hang on a minute, can you? I’m just going to pull over onto the side of the road.” In the background, she could hear the muffled sound of the engine dying as he brought the car to a halt. “Sorry, I didn’t look to see who was calling. How are you?”

“I’m fine.”

“It’s so good to hear your voice. I haven’t spoken to you for ages.”

“I know. I’ve been really busy.”

“How did Paris go?”

Jackie wished that he wouldn’t be so bloody interested in everything that she did. “It went really well. The press reports were excellent.”

“That’s terrific. Well done, you. That’s a real feather in your cap.”

“Dan?”

“How’s everything at home? Battersea Gran coping all right, is she?”

“Yes, she’s being wonderful. Dan?”

Once again he cut across her question. “And how are Millie and Nina?” She heard him laugh. “Still watching the soaps instead of doing their homework, are they?”

Jackie grasped the opportunity. “That’s what I was calling you about, Dan.”

That seemed to quieten him. “There’s nothing wrong, is there?” She could hear the concern in his voice.

“No, nothing at all. It’s just that . . .” She glanced across to Stephen’s office. He was eyeing her intently. She spun her chair round to avoid his gaze. “It’s just that it’s the girls’ half term the week after next, and I have to go over to Milan so I won’t be here.”

“Right. So, can’t Battersea Gran look after them?”

Jackie suddenly saw her direction. “Well, I think your mother could do with a rest. She’s longing to go back to Battersea for a bit, and I’m afraid that I just haven’t been able to give her the chance.”

“So what are you suggesting?”

“Well, maybe that they could come up and stay with you and Josh for the week.” She paused to hear Dan’s reply, but none was forthcoming. “It would be an adventure for them.”

Dan laughed. “You must be joking, Jackie. They’d hate it up here. They’d get more enjoyment going to the moon! Anyway, there’s hardly enough room for Josh and me to swing a cat in the cottage, let alone have the girls come to join us.”

Jackie narrowed her mouth petulantly. “So you don’t want them, then?”

“That’s not what I said. I would love to have them come to stay more than anything, but I don’t think it’s, well, very practical. Josh and I leave the house every morning at six-fifteen and we don’t get back until early evening. What would they do with themselves?”