‘Lucy? Did you call?’

‘Hi, Dan. Listen, all’s well, no need to worry, but the parents have had a bit of a party.’ I swung around and headed outside into the drive again, out of earshot.

‘Oh Christ. Where?’

‘Here, I’m afraid. I went to London and they got a taxi for your mother. Sprang her. Their words.’

‘Oh God. I’m in London too, had to come up unexpectedly for a meeting. She swore blind she wouldn’t move and I left her food … Lucy, I can’t really get back till tomorrow. Can you cope?’

‘Course,’ I told him firmly. ‘But I might put her to bed here and take her back in the morning. She’s a bit – you know.’

‘God knows where that generation put it. I tried her gin the other night and it was practically neat.’

‘Well, they don’t, that’s the problem. Put it anywhere, I mean. Because there’s no flesh on them any more. Although your mum copes better than most. Anyway, I’ll hang on to her, don’t worry.’

‘Thanks, Lucy. I’m super grateful. Oh, and see you on Friday.’

Somewhere dim and distant, in what I would like to think was a normal life, I realized I had a date. I agreed that I would indeed see him then.

I darted into the sitting room. There was no sign of Nancy again. For an old girl of nearly ninety, she was remarkably nimble on her feet. My father was on his, now, clearing up.

‘I put Nancy to bed, together with your mother,’ he said casually, as if butter wouldn’t melt. ‘They were both a bit tired.’

Up the stairs I went, leaving my father half smiling, and with an annoying hint of a halo over his head. Sure enough, there were the two old birds, fully dressed. I removed Mum’s shoes and her glasses and Nance’s great ropes of amethyst beads lest she strangle herself, and took off her shoes, too. I was about to remove her turban, but hesitated, wondering what on earth I’d find underneath. Pulling the eiderdown over them both, I put another blanket on top, and drew the curtains. Then I turned off the light and went out.

When I got downstairs, my father had found the stereo button again. Nina was purring softly once more. He was efficiently clearing the dining room, clearly enjoying himself now. I helped him in silence, knowing now was not the moment. As he wound his way towards the kitchen, however, he made the mistake of putting his foot in Hector’s water bowl.

I sprang to steady him. I took the tray of glasses from him and helped him out, before his strange orthopaedic shoe got wedged.