And thus, I was off. No idea where. But into another person’s world, someone else’s drama, well away from anything that was happening in my own. Shielded, protected, soothed. Perhaps like a class of aerobics, followed by one of stretches, followed by a run in the park, who knows? Each to their own form of escape or therapy. All I know is that when I looked up – hungry and in need of a pee – I also felt calm and whole. I went to the loo, grabbed a piece of cake from the kitchen, and came back. I set off once more and then, after a while, exhausted, knew I’d finished for the day. I closed the book. Sat back and stared out at the sheep, head cleared. Full, but cleared. And in that clarity, it came to me. As things often did, in that moment. Of course. It was obvious. Indeed it was as clear as the bright blue sky I was gazing at. I glanced at my watch. Only one o’clock. Which was fine. I’d missed the rush hour, and if I went now, I’d be back before the evening one started. Perfect.

There didn’t seem to be many signs of my parents in the kitchen or garden, and then I realized they were in the sitting room, the remains of a ham salad on their laps, watching the news.

‘We didn’t know whether to disturb you,’ said Mum, rather guiltily. ‘You seemed busy, but there’s plenty in the fridge.’

‘Yes, don’t worry, I’ll get my own. Drinking lots of fluids, Mum?’

‘Yes, loads. Your father gives me a glass of lemon barley every time he sees me, you know I can’t abide water.’ She made a face. ‘And I’m about to have a nap. I slept for hours yesterday.’

‘Good. Um, I’m popping out. Be back probably about supper time, but if I’m not, start without me, OK?’

‘OK!’ Their faces brightened and it occurred to me that in their present contentment they were quite pleased to have the house to themselves. After all, they’d been used to that sort of modus vivendi for many years, and much as I loved Imo and Ned, there’d been times when they’d gone back to school or university when I’d been relieved too, although sometimes for different reasons, to do with their father.

As I drove along the A40 in a light drizzle and happily only light traffic, I rehearsed a few pithy sentences in my head. But then, knowing that actually I was better on the hoof in these sorts of circumstances – see my performance yesterday – I turned on the radio and caught the end of the Jeremy Vine show. He played the sort of easy listening conducive to maintaining equilibrium and morale.