She composed an email, inviting him to Helena’s upcoming show, implying he would be a guest of the family group. Later she would ask him for a lift – her car was going in for a service at the perfect time.

But while Gilly was writing her email, Martin rang.

‘Hi, Mum! Just making plans for going to Hel’s show.’

Gilly was surprised at his enthusiasm – surprised he planned to go even, let alone make plans. ‘Oh? Are you and Cressida going?’

‘We certainly are. We have to support the old skin and blister, don’t we?’

This didn’t sound like Martin. He wasn’t usually bluff and friendly when he referred to anything his sister did. ‘That’s great! Really glad you can make it. She’ll be thrilled.’

‘So we’ll pick you up on our way through.’

‘Oh – I was going to go early, so I can give Helly a hand setting up—’

‘But Mum! Your car is due for a service! I arranged it, don’t forget.’ It was the one helpful thing he did for Gilly and as she could have perfectly easily done it herself she was never that grateful.

‘I was going to rearrange the date …’ Another lie: they were falling from her like beads out of a beanbag.

‘And now you don’t have to. If you want to help Hel, you can stay later and get a lift back with her.’

When Gilly disconnected her phone a little while later she felt bulldozed. Martin did that to her sometimes. She was sure he meant well – fairly sure anyway – and wished she’d been able to tell him she could make her own arrangements. She went into the kitchen and put the kettle on. Perhaps William would get in touch, offering to pick her up, then she’d cancel Martin.

It was the day of the Springtime Show and it was five o’clock when Helena finally decided to get up. She’d woken every hour since 3 a.m. and thought she may as well avoid the agony of trying to get back to sleep again. Her alarm was due to go off at six, anyway.

Amy was going to meet her at the venue and show her the ropes before she sorted out her own stall. That was OK: once the setting up was done, the hardest part was over.