‘Dan! How splendid!’ A voice boomed from behind me. My father appeared in the kitchen, refreshed from his sleep, looking ruddy-faced and bright-eyed. He was beaming delightedly as he rubbed his hands together. ‘To what do we owe this pleasure?’

Dan looked rather abashed. ‘I’m afraid it’s not a pleasure, Henry. Mum asked me to come round. I’m afraid the hospital rang. I’m sorry to have to tell you, but Archie died this morning.’

12

‘Oh Lord. I am sorry.’ My father’s hand went to his brow. ‘Lord. That fall …?’

‘Proved to be fatal.’

‘Archie?’ I asked tentatively. So many names.

‘Nancy’s husband. And Dan, here’s, step, step-father?’

‘One more step, actually. Mum’s fourth husband.’

‘Ah.’ Yes, I remembered now. Mum’s best friend, Nance, had always been a bit of a goer. A serial husband bagger. But it explained the slightly awkward, but less than grief-stricken face of the man before me. I surreptitiously took my pinny off.

‘God, I’m sorry,’ said Dad.

‘Well …’ admitted Dan, uncomfortably. He stopped.

‘Never liked the fellow?’ offered Dad, helpfully.

‘Oh, heavens no, I wouldn’t say that. Just that, well, they only married last year, so …’

‘Quite. Couldn’t stick him myself. But luckily he didn’t play bridge, so we didn’t see much of him. Nance usually came on her tod. Ah, darling, Dan’s here.’ My mother materialized in a fresh floral dress; she always changed for the evening, but she’d forgotten to do some buttons up. I darted across to help her. ‘Got some rather bad news. Archie’s little fall knocked him out for good, I’m afraid.’

‘Oh.’ Her hand went to her mouth. ‘Oh, poor Nance. How is she?’

‘Well, she’s not great, obviously,’ Dan said soberly. ‘And I wondered …’

‘Oh! Oh yes, of course. I’ll come. Wait a tick, I’ll get my bag. Just pop up and do my hair. Wait there, Dan.’

‘Drink, dear boy?’ asked my father, as we went through to the sitting room and I surreptitiously ruffled my flat hair.

‘It’s a bit early actually, Henry, and I’ve got to drive back.’

‘Oh yes, of course. Don’t mind if I do? It’s the shock, you know.’ He made for the whisky decanter on the sideboard.

‘Not at all.’

‘Luce?’

‘Not yet, Dad. Um, Dad, d’you think Mum will be all right? Won’t she be very upset? Should I go with her?’

He looked surprised. ‘Heavens, no, your mother thrives on drama, wouldn’t miss it for the world. And Nancy,’ he glanced at Dan, ‘won’t be exactly … devastated …?’ he ventured cautiously.