Gilly felt a bit put off by that remark from Leo. But when she looked at him he caught her gaze and smiled in a way that made her melt inside. ‘Who’s for seconds?’

‘Oh, yes please,’ said Jago. ‘This is the best Sunday lunch I think I’ve ever had.’

Gilly’s heart swelled a little. She loved feeding people and she loved Jago for being so enthusiastic. Although she knew she mustn’t become too fond of him. He and Helena may well not get together properly. It was far too early for her to look on him as a second son.

‘Yeah,’ said Martin, ‘your gravy is great and for once your Yorkshires have risen properly.’

‘Thank you for your kind words, both of you,’ said Gilly. ‘Although Jago’s words are quite a lot kinder than yours, Martin dear.’

‘Mum! I am your son! You shouldn’t expect compliments!’

‘I think she should,’ said Jago, ‘when her cooking is as good as this.’

‘Shall I help clear away?’ asked Cressida, just as Gilly was about to see if she could persuade anyone to have another potato or another sliver of meat.

Helena leaped to her feet. ‘Don’t bother, Cressida, I know where everything goes.’

‘So do I!’ said Cressida, sounding a bit surprised.

‘I’ll help too,’ said Leo.

Gilly got to the kitchen first, hoping to field the huge number of dishes that were about to fill it. It was a magnificent kitchen and she loved it but it was slightly short of work surface. ‘Why don’t you go back into the dining room and see if everyone’s got wine?’ Gilly said to Leo. ‘Cressida, will Ismene have pudding? Or would you rather she had cheese? Or some grapes?’

‘Grapes are full of sugar. I can’t believe you still think they’re suitable food for a child,’ said Cressida.

‘Well, go away anyway,’ said Gilly, feeling fairly calm about this admonishment. ‘I’m assuming you won’t want chocolate, then? I have some of the ninety per cent cocoa solids you’re so fond of.’

Cressida managed a smile. ‘Then I do want it! Unlike ordinary chocolate I count it as a health food.’

Gilly took a bar from the cupboard and handed it to her daughter-in-law with a smile that even Cressida would realise meant ‘please leave my kitchen’. Now Gilly could find out what was up with Helena.

‘Everything OK, love?’ asked Gilly as Helena rinsed the plates and loaded the dishwasher while she retrieved one pudding from the range and another from the fridge.

‘Oh yes, fine!’ said Helena. ‘Actually Jago has found me somewhere for my loom so that’s one less thing to worry about.’

‘He’s such a nice man!’ said Gilly, which was code for ‘tell me all the details of your relationship’.