Tara’s eyes filled with tears. There was a humble honesty in his voice.

‘I couldn’t find the words to tell you. I was too drunk. You sounded impatient with me and for the first time, I had a clear understanding of how much I’d lost. How much more I’d lose if I didn’t sort myself out. I checked into rehab the next morning. That was it.’

‘That was the time you phoned me on the train?’ Tara turned to look at him. ‘I thought you’d misdialled.’

‘It was probably the single most important phone call I ever made. And if you’d been nicer to me, I’d never have gone.’

The moment hung between them. The perspectives of Tara’s memories shifted slowly like stage sets, as new information changed the landscape of her understanding, not taking pain away but moving the scenery around, showing what was hidden before. There was illness there, as well as selfishness. Addiction, and the shadows that lay behind it.

Tara knew Dad had tried to call after that. She hadn’t taken his calls because of Mum. And Mum hadn’t helped. The faults were on both sides.

‘Dad,’ said Tara simply. She took his hand and said nothing more, in case her words weren’t as eloquent as her hand holding his.

‘I’ve got a lot of things wrong in this life, Tara, but I want you to know that you, and Toby and Molly – you’re what I’m most proud of. I wasn’t the father you deserved. But at least now I know my kids have got each other. I didn’t take that for granted, incidentally.’ He squeezed her hand. ‘Thank you, for letting Molly in.’

‘I love you, Dad.’ How long had she wanted to say that, and mean it, and know the words would come back to her?

‘I love you, Taransay.’ Keith put his arms round her and, just for a moment, Tara felt the world and all its problems and dramas stop.

Tara delivered a verdict on the plaque – opposite the entrance, so everyone would see it – and Keith walked her to her car. ‘Any time you fancy a trip to London, just drop in.’

‘Your place, or Sarah’s?’ It was a trick question, unfair. ‘You’re moving back in, Molly says.’

‘We’re giving it another try, yes.’

‘Good!’

Keith nodded. ‘Not just for Molly. For us. Sarah’s on the right track now, and she needs me. We’re a good team. Some astrologer she knows says we’re the perfect match but,’ he dropped his voice conspiratorially, ‘I made up my birth time so …’ He pretended to glance around nervously, and Tara laughed.

She opened her car door; the Mini had just about recovered from its ordeal after two full valets and double Magic Trees.

‘So you’re off to Italy next week, I hear? Tuscany?’