‘You know who I mean, don’t you? Nancy’s son from—’

‘Yes, I do know who you mean. But I do not want to discuss any potential rural hook-ups at my husband’s funeral, thank you very much!’

‘Just saying,’ she said, with faux indignation.

‘Just replying!’ I glared at her.

She made a face. ‘OK, have it your way. However, I think you should know – and I know this from all my divorced girlfriends – that attractive single men of our age get snapped up mighty fast. It’s frightfully unfair, but they do. Whereas single women—’

‘Helena!’

‘Right, right, fine,’ she muttered, but I could tell she was pleased she’d said it. Got it out. ‘I’ll do the bill,’ she told me, as if she was now doing me a huge favour. She picked up her handbag.

‘No, I’ll do it.’ I got up.

‘Well, it’s hardly worth fighting about, a few rounds of sandwiches and some drinks.’

‘No, but I’ll take it out of his estate, eventually.’

‘Oh. Right. Good plan.’ She sat down smartly. ‘Which I’ve asked one of the juniors in the legal department to sort out for you, by the way.’

‘Oh, yes. Thanks so much.’ I actually was very grateful for that. Grateful to have a smart, professional, well-connected sister to organize probate. But did she have to pull that card out now? Maybe she hadn’t done it deliberately. Perhaps I was being uncharitable.

When I’d paid, we made our way to the car park. We passed a plate-glass chalet complex and I caught a glimpse of our reflections in the window. A couple of middle-aged women, hats in hand, in shoes that pinched, dressed in black, looking weary.

‘Do they know, by the way?’ Helena asked. ‘Mum and Dad? Your plan? Oh, well done, Ned!’ We’d turned the corner and literally bumped into my son, who’d just seen his grandparents off. He saw us exchange a guilty look.

‘What plan?’

I cleared my throat. ‘Darling, I’ve decided to go and look after Granny and Grandpa for a bit. Well, to go and live with them, actually.’

‘In the cottage?’

‘Well, eventually, yes. Although I might have to start off in the house.’

He looked thoughtful. Then he nodded slowly. ‘Yes, I thought you might.’

‘Did you?’ I stared at him, astonished. ‘Blimey, I’ve only just decided it myself. When did you think that?’

‘As soon as Dad died. I thought – Mum won’t go it alone. Which I think you should, incidentally. Have a go, rent a flat somewhere, spread your wings. I thought – she’ll probably go and live with Granny and Grandpa. Use them as her big excuse.’

Helena’s eyes lit up with delight. It was a heroic effort on her part to hold her tongue.