I notice he hasn’t mentioned my father, but that isn’t surprising. I don’t think Matt will ever let Dad look after his children again. Dad is sitting outside, reading under the shade of a parasol. He looks lonely, but to be honest, I’m struggling a bit, not wanting to think about how frightening it must be for him, now that he’s aware he’s losing his memory, and at the same time my old anger is resurfacing, ever since Amy told me how he drove Mum away.

‘I really need some time with Amy before… you know, before…’ Matt runs his hand through his hair and it stands on end like a bristle-brush. He looks thoroughly miserable. ‘I lost it yesterday. Said some things… Anyhow, I thought we could go into town for a coffee, just the two of us.’

‘Good idea,’ I say, pulling some bacon out of the fridge and then, as my stomach clenches, I change my mind and grab the jam instead.

‘So you’re okay looking after the kids?’

Ah! Nick Flowers, you can be so bloody dense.

‘The bread’s finished. Chloe’s gone up to the farmhouse to buy more. She’ll be back soon.’

‘Right.’ I take a sip of coffee. I wonder why she didn’t go with Dad this morning. I must remember to nab her when she gets back, for a chat about the photos on her iPad.

‘Yeah, if you could keep an eye on her, but basically she’ll look after herself. Lotte and Theo are in their bedroom. Meant to be getting washed and dressed. We won’t be long.’

I look at Matt properly. His thin face is ashen, in spite of a few days in the heat, and his stubble is grey. He’s aged about twenty years in the last one.

‘Happy to.’

Maybe this will get me back into everybody’s good books, since they all think I’m such a waste of fucking space for bringing Dad here. And maybe, just maybe, after today everyone will start acting like a family again.

Matt jiggles his keys in his pocket. ‘I once drove out of a multistorey car park with Ruby-May – you know the one at Cabot Circus that’s a really tight corkscrew? And she said, “Careful, Daddy, don’t break the car.” I told her we’d be okay because I’m good at driving and she said, “Good boy. Well done!’”

He stares out towards the swimming pool. I try and make my mind blank. There’s a long, awkward pause. I have no idea what to say.

Matt clears his throat. ‘Anyway, thanks, mate. Suncream’s there. Give them a snack at some point.’

I drink my coffee and stand in the sitting room, looking through the tips of the olive trees and out at the pure blue sky over the sea, and I think about this time, four years ago.