Mel caught sight of him, and broke off her conversation with Andrea and Gavin to blow him a kiss. Jack responded with a quick, embarrassed smile.

A big part of his life had come to the doorstep of Turnmill Street to meet him. All he had to do was walk back into it. When he disappeared from the window, I was convinced that was what he was about to do.

But when the front door did open, it was Audrey who stood there. ‘What are you doing in my garden?’ There was something commanding about her and we fell silent, even Mel.

I took one step forward. ‘Audrey, let me try to explain. We’re not trying to invade you. I just want Jack to know that he’s also got a life to live out here with us. It doesn’t mean he can’t spend time with you, of course. It doesn’t have to be exclusive, an either-or. I want him to come home, that’s all.’

Audrey half turned and behind her we saw Jack, standing in the gloom at the foot of the stairs. He was small and serious and determined.

‘Jack?’ Audrey said.

Before he could answer quick footsteps came along the pavement and bounced in at the gate. ‘Mum? Jack?’ Lola asked. ‘What’s happening now?’

Mel and the others stood aside to let her through. ‘Hello, bruv,’ she said. ‘I brought you some sweets and magazines and stuff. And I wrote you a letter. I was going to put it through the letter box.’ She held the package out to him and there was a moment’s silence.

Then Jack came out on to the step and took it. ‘Thanks, Lo.’

He hovered, poised between us, his family and friends and the regular world, and Audrey’s fastness. I felt his indecision and also the tug of his loyalties. It would be easy for him now to step outside, and much more difficult to cleave to Audrey and the lonely house.

There was a whisper in my head, go on Jack. But I wasn’t willing him to step my way.

Jack would be all right, I knew that much now. He wasn’t helpless or full of fear, as I had been. He was loyal to Audrey and he wouldn’t be seen to climb down. For the time being, he had made the right choice. I wasn’t regretting having forced it on him, either.

It was Audrey I felt sorry for.

He stood up straight. ‘Thanks, Lo,’ he repeated. ‘And you, Mum. But I’m staying here, you know?’

I saw the flash in Audrey’s eyes and then she had her hand on the doorknob. ‘You are on private property,’ she warned us. The door closed with a firm click, shutting us out.