‘Well, yes, but I’ve got another show coming up really soon and absolutely nothing to put in it. Mum suggested she gives me back all the blankets and throws and things I’ve ever given her, just so I’ve got something to display. I was wondering if you’d give me back the ones I’ve given you, too? I can put “sold” stickers on them if you’re really fond of them, but otherwise I’ll replace them when I can.’

A strange look tweaked at Cressida’s features, an expression strangely like embarrassment, which was not an emotion that often touched her life. ‘I’m afraid I had a big Marie Kondo session, Helena, and I found they didn’t spark joy. They went to the charity shop.’

Helena caught her breath. ‘Was this recently? Is there any chance I could buy them back?’

Cressida shook her head. ‘It was when Marie’s book first came out, so no.’

Somehow Helena got herself to the door and out of it, muttering conventional thanks as she went. But inside she felt kicked in the stomach. And when she’d stopped feeling quite so offended she felt angry about the waste. From now on she resolved to only give Cressida and Martin boxes of chocolates (Milk Tray for preference) as presents. Nothing she’d put any effort into.

She’d calmed down a bit by the time she’d got to Fairacres and was determined to find out what was going on with her mother. She was still feeling terribly guilty for ignoring her – or at least only eating her food but not actually paying attention. Was Gilly really in love with Leo? And what was all this about going gliding? Her mother would never do that! But first and foremost, she had to tell her mother about Cressida’s despicable action.

Gilly heard Helena come in through the back door and came downstairs, a bundle of dirty linen in her arms. ‘Hi, darling, how are you? You did so brilliantly yesterday! I was so impressed!’

They went into the kitchen, and Gilly put on the kettle for coffee.

‘So what are you grumpy about?’ asked Gilly when Helena had pulled out a chair and sat down.

‘Cressida!’

Gilly felt slightly anxious. She hated it when her daughter was at odds with her daughter-in-law. She was also a bit worried about what Cressida might have said to Helena about Leo. ‘What?’

‘She Marie Kondoed all the woven things I’ve given her over the years! They didn’t “spark joy”.’

‘Oh, Helly! Don’t say she “regifted” them?’

This made Helena smile. ‘I know how much you hate that expression but what she did was worse!’

‘Is that even possible?’

‘Yes! She gave them all to charity and she did it ages ago so I can’t even buy them back. Don’t you think that’s rude?’