‘And…’ said Ellie, with theatrical finality dipping into the bag and pulling out a plastic tub, ‘Marks and Spencer’s custard!’

Christopher threw back his head and laughed. Bananas and custard had been their father’s favourite since they could remember.

In the time before lunch they caught up on their lives–Ellie giving chapter and verse on her relief work, and Matt listening intently and only occasionally chipping in with an aside until Christopher turned to him and asked, ‘So it’s all going well with you.’

‘Sort of. A bit up and down, but I’m managing.’

‘And you’re happy?’

Matt smiled. ‘You always ask that.’

‘I know. But it’s only because, well, you know…’

Matt nodded. ‘I know. Yes. Yes, I’m happy. So far…’

‘And the job?’

Matt sighed. ‘A bit tricky to be honest. But I’m hopeful of resolving things. I just wish we could get on with it, but the money men keep getting in the way. The world seems to be run by accountants now. They call the shots, I guess.’

Christopher chuckled.

‘What?’ asked Matt.

‘I guess. Sorry. You suddenly sounded very American.’

‘Oh dear. I suppose, then. Is that better?’

Christopher shook his head. ‘It doesn’t really matter. Just glad to have you here.’

‘You didn’t expect us then?’ asked Ellie.

‘Not at all.’

‘Well, you can blame him.’

‘What?’

‘It was Matt who said we should come.’

‘I was coming anyway,’ mumbled Matt, ‘I just thought it would be nice if we were both here, and Ellie managed to engineer a break and…well…here we are.’

‘Thank you,’ said Christopher. ‘Thank you very much. You’ve made my day.’

‘So, are you getting out, Dad?’ Ellie asked. ‘Are you meeting people?’

‘Of course I am. I meet people every day.’

‘I don’t mean patients. I mean…special people.’

‘I’ve always maintained that everybody is special…’ said Christopher, prevaricating.

‘When you want to you can be so irritating,’ moaned Ellie.

Matt sat quietly, munching on a cracker.

‘I play dominoes every Friday…’

‘Oh, that’s great. You’ll meet just the right sort of people down the pub!’

‘And,’ he countered, with increased volume, ‘I have just invited someone to the opera.’

‘Good!’ cried Ellie positively. ‘Are we allowed to know who?’

‘Her name’s Maria.’

‘And…? What does she do?’

Christopher smiled weakly. ‘She cleans for me.’

‘Oh.’

Matt looked doubtful.

‘Now there’s no need to look like that. She’s not your average cleaner. She knows about opera and…things. And she’s Italian. Well, part Italian. She speaks perfect English. Anyway, there’s nothing in it. It’s just an evening out. But she’s very pleasant and I enjoy her company and…’

He became aware that they were both gazing at him and trying not to smirk. He stopped speaking in mid flow. ‘Are you teasing me?’