‘No, Dad,’ said Matt, maintaining a deadpan expression. ‘If you want to go out with a cleaner then that’s fine. But just make sure she’s not after your money.’

Christopher was not sure whether he was serious or not.

‘Well I think it’s lovely,’ offered Ellie. ‘At least it’s a start.’

‘What?’ asked Christopher. ‘You think I can work my way up through the animal kingdom from a cleaner and probably end up with a real lady?’

Ellie got up from the table and walked behind her father, draping her arms over his shoulders and putting her head next to his. ‘I don’t care who you go out with as long as it makes you happy.’

Christopher shot a look at Matt, who shrugged. ‘Up to you, Dad. Just be careful, that’s all. There are gold-diggers everywhere.’

Christopher thought he detected the merest hint of a smile on Matt’s lips. At least he hoped he did.

‘Oh, shut up, Matt!’ cried Ellie. ‘Don’t listen to him, Dad.’

Christopher had heard enough. ‘What about you two?’ he asked. ‘Any men on the horizon?’ He realized, with the merest hint of irony, that he only needed to enquire about the one sex.

Ellie flopped down in her chair again. ‘I’ve got one guy trying it on, but I’m not very keen. He’s a doctor.’

Christopher raised an eyebrow.

‘Yes, but unfortunately he’s not like you. Got an ego the size of a house. Thinks he’s God’s gift. Trouble is, he is rather. Bloody fit. Sickening really.’

He turned to Matt. ‘How about you?’

Matt avoided his eye. ‘Yes. There is a guy. We share an apartment.’

Christopher waited and did not fill the silence.

Then Matt looked at him and smiled. ‘We’ve been together for six months.’

‘Good. I’m glad,’ said Christopher. And then, ‘Anyone like coffee?’

Matt wanted to say more, but he felt that the moment had passed, and so he picked up an orange from the fruit bowl and began to peel it.

Matt gave his father a farewell hug and strolled down the garden path with the empty bag under his arm. Christopher returned to the kitchen table. ‘Do you think he’s all right?’

Ellie nodded. ‘Oh, he’s all right. Big shake-ups at work. Came to London for a big meeting.’

‘And what about–you know–his private life?’

‘Still finds it difficult to talk about it, but I think he’s happy.’

‘What he was saying…about gold-diggers. Do you think he’s really worried?’

‘I think he’s just worried that you might be taken advantage of. Doesn’t want you to get hurt.’