‘Yes, it’s great!’ said Jago. He looked at Helena, who shook her head slightly. She wanted to hear all about her mother before telling her about how she and Jago had come back together again.

‘I’m so pleased you’re pleased,’ said Gilly, sounding relieved and a little surprised. ‘I went to see Martin and Cressida last night. He was not impressed by the thought.’

‘Oh, men!’ said Helena. She made a dismissive gesture with a hand that happened to be holding toast and marmalade. ‘He just wants you to stay being his mum forever and not anyone else’s partner.’

‘He summoned your father for backup.’

‘What? Dad?’

‘He’s only got the one father, darling. You and he have that in common.’

‘But why?’ demanded Helena, crunching loudly.

‘For backup. Sebastian wasn’t impressed either. He seemed to think he had rights to this house and could say who lived in it.’

‘That’s outrageous! I do hope you told him where to get off.’

Gilly seemed a little embarrassed. ‘I think he got my drift.’

‘So what happened? Tell all!’

‘More toast, Jago?’

‘Mum! Don’t change the subject. You’re hiding something. What went on?’

Her mother exhaled sharply. ‘I had a bit too much to drink.’

‘What? At Martin’s house? I didn’t think that was possible!’

‘I went into the kitchen. Cressida had a bottle open and I had a quick glass while I was there.’

‘And she allowed that?’

‘She was quite sweet about it actually. She was embarrassed about Martin inviting Sebastian. We shared a moment of solidarity.’

‘But what about the rest of it? And so far, you’ve had a glass of very dry sherry—’ Helena turned to Jago. ‘Martin always gives her very dry sherry. He knows she doesn’t like it. But, Mum, you couldn’t have got drunk on that.’

‘I didn’t actually get drunk, darling. Although I did have at least two glasses of wine at the table – one of them I poured myself so it was nearly full. But too much to drive.’

‘So, you got a taxi home?’ said Jago. ‘Do you want help picking up your car?’

‘I do need help with that, Jago, although to be honest I’d forgotten about my car.’

‘Did you get a taxi?’ asked Helena. ‘Or did Martin or Cressida run you back?’

‘No. I left without telling anyone I was going.’

‘So … you ran away?’ asked Helena slowly.

‘Yes. Your father was really quite angry. I was a bit …’

‘Frightened? He frightened you! Bastard!’ said Helena. ‘You were worried he’d come after you?’

‘Only briefly. William was here when I got back.’ Ulysses the cat jumped on to her lap. ‘So I had Uly and William to protect me if he had.’

‘My father doesn’t like cats,’ Helena explained to Jago. ‘We got a kitten as soon as the house was properly ours.’

‘I like cats,’ said Jago.