When the girls had finally snuggled down in bed, Josie with a book and Maria with a toy unicorn, Nico went downstairs. The earlier conversations with his parents had made him conscious of the passing of time. He needed to gently remind Vivvi that soon he was going home to Sweden. This time, it wouldn’t be for meetings in glass offices in Stockholm but a week with his family in Småland, the province of southern Sweden where he’d grown up. He could almost see the forests, fields and lakes.

Vivvi answered neither mobile nor landline. He tried Loren, with no better success, so texted Vivvi. Can we arrange a time to talk, please? Need to touch base about Maria. I go to Sweden one week today.

To Loren he sent: Can we arrange to FaceTime? The girls would like it. Maybe tomorrow? He added, Hope you’re feeling better. He sent the message with a tug of sadness that, actually, neither girl had asked about Loren in the past few days. If they missed anyone it was Tilly and Emelie but most of the time they seemed content with just him.

Sunday morning arrived with a thick hoar frost that clothed every twig in a white fur jacket. Nico was coaxing Maria to walk to the village shop without stopping every time she saw a Christmas tree when he heard his name and, glancing along to Rotten Row, saw Rob and Leesa jumping from their car, bundled up in coats and scarves.

‘You look unnaturally tanned for an English December,’ he called as they hurried up to greet him and the girls. He felt envious. Since splitting up from Loren his summer travel had been restricted to taking Josie to Sweden … much like his winter travel.

‘Honeymoon sunshine.’ Rob beamed, slinging his arm around Leesa so enthusiastically that he nearly swept her feet from the icy pavement. ‘What are you doing in Middledip? We’ve come to take Nan and Hannah to lunch. Nan’s broken her arm and Hannah—’

Nico was already nodding. ‘Hannah’s come home to look after her. Our paths have already crossed.’ He went on to explain his move to the village, while Josie talked to Leesa about her boots and Maria tried to spin her reins out of Nico’s grasp.

Rob raised his eyebrows and whistled. ‘So you’ve downshifted? It sounds fantastic. I’m dreading going back to the nine to five tomorrow. Nobody ever watches my projects while I’m away.’ Rob worked for a company producing thermostats and heating systems.

‘Same,’ groaned Leesa, breaking off from boot talk with Josie. Nico was hazy about her career but thought it might involve the planning department.

‘Come with us for lunch at the pub,’ Rob urged Nico. ‘We hardly had five minutes to chat at the wedding.’

‘Awesome! The pub!’ cried Josie, before Nico could reply.

Maria threw her arms up and echoed, ‘Awesome! The plub!’