‘Yes and no,’ Tom replied as honestly as he could. ‘Yes, I would want Dad to be happy and if marrying someone he was convinced he loved did that, or even if it was only for companionship, I would support him in his decision. And no, I wouldn’t see it as a betrayal. Because it’s not. It’s about making the most of the life you have left. Losing Mum to Covid taught me that there’s no knowing what’s around the corner, so it’s a case of seize the day while you can.’

When Martha didn’t say anything, he said, ‘Is it specifically Ellis you don’t like, or the thought of your father being replaced? Because to me, Ellis seems a thoroughly decent guy and very mindful of your feelings. And Willow’s. He was considerate enough to sleep next door and not with your mother last night. Didn’t you think the same?’

Taking her eyes off the road, Martha briefly turned to look at him. From behind her sunglasses Tom couldn’t see her eyes, but he could guess at the expression in them.

‘For starters I expect it was Mum who suggested he didn’t sleep with her while we were staying,’ she said. ‘And secondly, of course I hate the idea of Ellis taking my father’s place. What daughter wouldn’t?’

‘Fair point. But does that mean you’re never going to accept Ellis, that you’ll let your disapproval spoil your relationship with your mother, and in turn the relationship she has with our child – her grandchild?’

Again, she flicked her gaze towards him. ‘Could you sound any more sanctimonious?’

‘I probably could if I tried,’ he said. ‘But really, that’s the bottom line of it, isn’t it? By not accepting your mother’s wish to marry again, you’ll be cutting off more than your sweet little nose.’

She tutted. ‘Don’t be absurd, you know full well that I do not have a sweet little nose. I inherited my father’s rather more well-endowed schnozzle, as he always called it.’

Tom risked a smile. ‘And your father’s tenacity to stick to your guns … I suggest boldly.’

His comment had the effect of lowering Martha’s shoulders, which had risen with each crank of the dial of his reasoning with her.

‘A trait,’ she said, ‘that you’ve always loved in me … I reply with grudging resignation.’

He laughed. ‘Indeed I do. But I hate to see you unhappy, Martha. Particularly when we have so much to be happy about with our very own Beanie on the way.’

She sighed. ‘I know you’re right. But I just can’t accept that Mum is going into this with her eyes fully open. Why doesn’t she just live with him and see how things go? I told her that if she really is determined to marry Ellis, she has to have a pre-nup. It’s what any sensible person in her position should do. You know as well as I do that Dad’s portfolio left Mum very comfortably off.’