‘Don’t take him,’ he said, as she sat gently on the bed.

‘I don’t know how you can bear the smell.’

‘You don’t notice it after a bit, though Rose gave him fish skin for dinner.’

‘Yuck.’

Gus turned on to his back and looked at her. ‘How was your trip?’

Kate couldn’t remember the last time he’d asked a question like that. It was the night all her ships were coming in. ‘Complicated.’

‘Why?’

She smiled. ‘State secret.’

‘Did you see Dad?’

‘No. I’ll arrange another meeting with him very soon.’ Kate couldn’t miss the longing in her son’s eyes. ‘You miss him?’

‘Sometimes.’

‘Me too.’

‘Will you ever get back together?’

‘I don’t see how. Quite apart from all the emotional damage, it’s a practical impossibility.’

‘Will you get another boyfriend?’

‘I sincerely doubt it.’ She squeezed his leg under the duvet. ‘You are my priority and always will be. Have you spoken to Fi?’

‘No.’ There was a long pause as Gus stroked Nelson’s ear. Kate sensed he had more to say. ‘It feels a bit strange here without her.’

‘It’s only for a few days.’

‘Maybe. She’s behaving very weirdly.’

‘How was Rose?’

‘She’s great. She’s so kind. I guess she’s how Granny should be.’

‘Granny has her own issues.’ Kate bent down to kiss her newly articulate son and ruffled his hair. For the first time in a very long while, he held her tight. She stood and moved to the door. ‘I’ll see you in the morning,’ she said.

‘Will you leave Nelson?’

‘Of course.’ She paused. ‘Things might be a bit busy for the next week or two at work, but it will calm down after that.’

‘Like it did last time?’

‘Fair point. I’m going to consider asking for a period of absence so I can spend more time with you.’

‘Okay.’

‘Would that be a good idea?’

‘It’s up to you.’ She took that as a massive endorsement. ‘Why is work busy?’ he asked. ‘Matters of life and death?’

‘Political life and death, perhaps.’

‘Fiona told Jed you’re basically James Bond.’

Kate had to stop herself laughing. This was turning into a very surprising conversation. ‘My work is supposed to be secret,’ she said.

‘Not to family. And I guess Jed is family now.’

‘I guess he is.’

‘Is it true?’ Gus persisted.

‘No one is James Bond. He’s a bit ludicrous, really.’

‘Jane Bond, then. That’s kind of cool.’

‘Sleep well,’ Kate said. She was still smiling as she walked into the kitchen. ‘I don’t know what you’ve done to him,’ she told her aunt. ‘I just had an articulate, affectionate conversation with my teenage son.’ She glanced at the wine. ‘You’d better make that a double.’

‘He’s a lovely boy. So funny.’