‘At least you’ve got Betty,’ I told him, sipping my drink. ‘She looked eminently more capable and sensible than our sweet but decrepit Irene.’

He made a face. ‘Except she doesn’t drive, which is annoying. But yes, I can at least leave Mum for a couple of days and be in London. As long as she’s not snuck out by any reprobates, of course.’ He grinned.

I grimaced. ‘Sorry about that. We’ve had words about not leading the neighbours astray.’

We had, actually. When they’d recovered sufficiently, I’d sat my parents down like a couple of children and explained that I had to be able to go away, or even go on holiday, and not return to find the place trashed and the pair of them insensible. Not to mention all the damage limitation I had to perform with their friends’ carers and children.

‘It’s our house to trash,’ Mum had pouted.

‘Of course it is, but aside from a chip pan fit to explode—’

‘Hetty,’ Mum interjected quickly.

‘—you’d left an electric ring on high, with a bone-dry pan on top of it. Not for the first time, either. The Aga man’s coming tomorrow, but until then, I think we avoid using a cooker you have no idea how to work. Plus, Bertie’s got blood poisoning.’

‘Bertie’s always got blood poisoning,’ interjected my father stubbornly. ‘He never managed to clear it up since Egypt. It’s a recurring condition.’

‘Which, according to Lorraine, their housekeeper, re-occurs every time he sets foot in your house.’

‘Or the McPhersons’, to be fair,’ he pointed out.

‘They’re much worse,’ my mother agreed with a shudder.

I didn’t remember the McPhersons, and asked Dan now if he knew them.

‘Oh, they’re a dreadful influence,’ he told me as we were handed the bar menu. ‘You don’t want to let them go round there. He’s got a horse down at Ronnie Taylor’s yard. I once drove Mum and Archie there to go racing – didn’t see them for three days.’ He raised his glass and smiled, his eyes blue and twinkling. ‘Welcome to my world.’

‘Thanks,’ I muttered, rolling mine back.

‘Although I have to admit,’ he looked a bit sheepish and lowered his voice, ‘it’s a darn site easier without Archie. He became my main charge.’

‘Oh really? God, not even yours. An adoptee.’