‘I hope so.’ I understood how much of an understatement that was. ‘Because they can’t go back to Jerry.’ But Penny held up her hand to indicate that we were discussing my concerns now, not hers. ‘Have you talked to Graham and Caz? Or Mel? Whatever happens you’re not on your own. You’ve got all of us to help you out, remember.’

I was glad of Penny’s assurance. She knew the core of isolation and the chill that went with it, because it was hers too. Caz and Graham didn’t because their roots were so closely entwined, and Mel had never experienced it because the warmth of her family always insulated her. As I considered loneliness that wasn’t so much about feeling lonely as managing your life alone, I was watching the iridescent sheen on the wings and bodies of flies settling on the stones of the yard. I couldn’t remember another summer as hot as this; even the one I had spent in Grasse long ago seemed degrees cooler in comparison.

‘I do remember,’ I said gratefully to Penny.

As soon as I reached home again I called Tony. He was still at work, preparing to pitch for a new account, and it took some persistence to break through his PA’s resolve that he shouldn’t be disturbed. I imagined him in his shirtsleeves at a desk piled with storyboards and charts and scripts, as I had often seen him when we were married. Poor Tony, I thought. He had plenty to deal with.

‘Sadie? Hello?’

‘Congratulations,’ I said.

‘Thank you.’ His tone didn’t give much away. ‘Is this just a friendly call? Because I’m quite tied up, actually, Sade.’

‘No, it’s not really about that.’

He listened while I told him what was happening. ‘Who is this Audrey, exactly?’

‘An old friend of Ted’s. Not a girlfriend, she claims.’

Tony chuckled, his affection for Ted sounding only faintly touched by weariness. ‘He doesn’t let go, the old boy, does he? Even though he’s dead there are still plenty of surprises.’

‘Yes,’ I said. Ted could always be surprising.

‘I’ll be through here in an hour. Do you want me to go round to this house, wherever it is, and try to talk to Jack?’

‘I think what’s set this off is partly to do with you and the new baby. It being a boy, you know. Not only that, of course. There’s plenty of other things that are going on in his life to make him unsettled. But it’s never that simple with Jack, you know?’

‘So what can I do?’

I sighed. ‘Nothing, probably, right now. I just wanted you to know where he is. Because you’re his father.’