‘I have something to tell you, Briony. I’ve been trying to find the words...’

She was alarmed at Isabel’s tone.

‘What? Is - is Ben...’

‘Oh no, nothing to do with him. Well, not directly anyway. We’re moving up to the West End. Henry’s bought a house in Belgravia and we feel it’s about time we moved away. This house is far too small really, and my father would see more of Benedict...’

There, it was said. She didn’t add that this monthly visit from Briony was worrying her. That she was frightened that now Benedict was getting older he might become too attached to the young redhead he saw in the park. That she was secretly jealous of the time he spent in his mother’s company.

She could not look into Briony’s eyes and see the hurt and confusion she knew she would find there. Instead she busied herself picking up the child and settling him on her lap. She kissed his downy head and hugged him to her. Briony watched as her son put his fingers up to Isabel’s mouth and she kissed them, pretending to bite them gently and making the child laugh. Briony felt as if a stone had been placed inside her chest. A big solid weight that would eventually drag her down.

‘I see.’ But she didn’t see. She didn’t see at all. She was shrewd enough to guess what was really behind the action. She wondered who wanted the move most, Henry or Isabel.

‘When will I see him then?’

‘Oh, we’ll sort that out in due course. I think it’s best if the visits are cut down anyway. He’s as bright as a button and might start saying your name, or when he’s talking he might tell someone about you. That would not be good for any of us, let alone the child.’

Briony licked dry lips.

‘But I must see him, Isabel. I have to see him sometimes.’

‘And you shall see him, I promise. Only we have to be careful. If Henry knew he was seeing you now ...’

She left the sentence unfinished.

Briony put her hand out to the child and he grasped her slim fingers, bringing them to his mouth to chew on them. Briony felt the tiny needle-sharp teeth as he gnawed and the familiar love for him overwhelmed her. If she was denied access to him she would die inside. Not an hour of the day went by but she thought of him. Everything else in her life was as nothing compared to this child.

‘But I have to see him, Isabel.’ Briony’s voice was louder than she’d intended and Isabel put her hand on her arm.

‘For goodness’ sake, keep your voice down. Do you want all the nannies to know our business and take it back to their houses with them?’