Evan lays the photograph on the table. Taken in his third year of primary school, it shows his whole class, five rows of grinning children in blue uniforms and Miss Robbins looking disgruntled on the end. There’s Evan, near the front, with a tooth missing, sitting between Stewie and Andrew Duffy, another friend from those long ago days.

Where are they all now? wonders Claire.

‘I’ve been thinking about it a while,’ says Evan, ‘and I’ve decided I want to go back to school.’

When Matt comes home from work – a new job he finds he enjoys, despite a loss of status and an inferior car – Claire tells him the good news.

But Matt is sceptical.

‘He’s two years behind, at least,’ he says. ‘I can’t see how it could work. He’ll soon be fourteen, for heaven’s sake. How could we put him in a class of eleven-year-olds?’

‘There must be private schools, a special school who’d take him.’

Matt’s taken a cut in salary and feels the need – justified or not – to be careful with money.

‘And how much would that cost?’

‘Does it really matter?’ Claire asks. ‘There’s plenty from the house sale, and there’s his victims of crime compensation. What better use could there be for it than that?’

‘We could think about a tutor. Maybe that’s the way to go.’

‘I don’t think it’s the education he’s wanting, especially,’ Claire says. ‘I think he’s ready to make new friends.’

‘He might hate it once he gets there,’ says Matt.

‘Nothing ventured, nothing gained,’ says Claire.

At the weekend, Matt and Evan walk down to the churchyard to visit Jack and Dora’s grave. Evan’s picked wildflowers Jack always loved, and Matt’s cut a few of the best roses from Dora’s garden. The churchyard is peaceful, undisturbed except for a breeze in the beech trees and the cooing of belfry pigeons.

Matt picks a few blown leaves from the earth still mounded on the grave, and touches the newly placed headstone like a talisman. Evan’s taking his time placing the flowers in the vase.

‘So,’ says Matt, ‘your mum says you want to go back to school. Have you really thought about it?’

‘Grandpa thought it was a good idea. He used to say I should, one day.’

‘You could have a tutor at home, you know. Someone who comes to the house.’

Evan shakes his head, and places a white rose beside a stem of musk mallow.

‘I’d like to try a proper school. See if I can make some friends.’

‘If you think you’d enjoy it, I think that’s a great idea.’

‘Have you made friends in your new job?’ Evan’s question is heartfelt, and Matt feels touched.

‘I think so. It’s not something you can hurry. But there are some people I get on really well with, yes.’