‘Oh, nothing changes, Tara. I told you. I’d no sooner sat down than the phone rings and he leaps up, not even a “Do you mind?”.’ Diane sniffed. ‘Rude. Just … rude.’

‘How do you know it’s a girlfriend?’

Diane paused at the door and gave her a withering look. ‘I could hear it was a woman. And he answered the phone on the first ring.’

Thank God, at last. Better late than never. ‘Oh, that’d be Molly’s mum, Sarah. She’ll be calling to speak to Molly.’

She shook her head. ‘Not Sarah. I remember you mentioning her. Niamh, this one’s name is.’

Keith had gone to check on Molly when Tara returned, but Toby had refreshed his gin. He’d used one of the really big glasses too. At this rate, thought Tara, he’d have powered through her whole bottle, and Hero probably only made it when the moon was in Bacchus or something.

‘Where does Diane get her clothes these days?’ he asked. ‘There’s an organic yurt compound that wants its main tent back.’

‘Why were you so rude to her?’ Tara demanded. ‘There was absolutely no need for that.’

‘I don’t like her.’

‘Why? She was only ever kind to us. She’s really looked after me since Mum died.’

Toby fidgeted with his glass. ‘It’s not compulsory to like everyone.’

‘You just don’t like Diane because she’s not afraid to say what she thinks. Out loud, to actual people, not on social media. She’s done a lot to support people round here. The food bank, for a start.’

Tara could see movement in the long windows of the studio; the main light going off, the smaller bedroom lamp going on. Molly was probably settling down with a book, or was on the internet trying to get a birthdate for Grandpa Hunter.

Maybe Sarah would call now, she thought, and started to tidy the table to distract herself, piling up used plates and cups on to the tray. Keith’s phone was lying on the table next to his glass. Tara couldn’t stop herself reading the screen. There were eight missed calls and a WhatsApp message from Niamh. Call me ASAP please. While Toby was looking elsewhere, Tara slipped it into a napkin and tucked it under a saucer. ASAP could wait till tomorrow. Tonight was for family.

‘You can run food banks and still be a hypocrite.’ The venom in Toby’s voice took Tara by surprise.

‘Meaning what exactly?’

‘I mean …’ He turned his head, and his voice changed completely. ‘Everything OK, Dad?’

Keith was strolling down the garden, smiling.

‘All fine. She’s had a great day. Can’t stop talking about her new cameras and her tea. Her brother and sister.’ His eyes seemed shiny as he sat down. ‘Thanks, the pair of you. You made her day. I couldn’t have hoped for this, you know.’