‘When I first saw you do that,’ Martin said with a smile, ‘you and all the others who did it at table, it seemed to me symbolic of the difference between you lot and a grammar-school lad like me. In our house the salt was conveniently shaken on the food – a habit I’ve never lost,’ he added while doing so.

‘I’d agree it’s more sensible,’ said Bill, ‘but one’s conditioning will out and is apt to remain in matters of more importance than how one deals with condiments.’

‘My son deals with condiments his mother’s way,’ said Martin, ‘but I’ve never minded.’

‘Why on earth would you mind something so trivial?’

‘One thing leads to another, Bill.’

‘A cliche that could mean anything.’

‘But in this case it means that the things I do mind have finally led to the impasse that impelled me to call you. When you said you were shooting a documentary in Oxford this week, it seemed destined that I tell you in the place where I fell in love with my wife that my marriage is as good as over.’

Bill stopped eating and dabbed his lips with his napkin. ‘Steady on, old chap, or you’ll be lapsing into some of the purple prose in that manuscript I implored you to burn.’

‘What you actually said was that the novel was lifeless. That was Moira’s opinion too, though she’d refrained from saying so lest it hurt me. I have to tell you, though, she doesn’t give a damn about hurting me now.’

‘It isn’t my advice you want, is it?’ Bill said after a pause. ‘Not that I feel equipped to dispense it. A marriage isn’t a book.’

‘To whom but you can I get how I feel off my chest, Bill? The situation is long past the stage when anyone’s advice would help.’

While Bill went on eating, Martin unburdened himself at length, his meal forgotten.

‘I find it remarkable that your son hasn’t banged your heads together,’ Bill declared when Martin finished speaking. ‘Our daughter once did that to Sukey and me. Her usual method of effecting a truce between her parents is to threaten to leave home.’

‘The difference,’ said Martin, ‘is that Mary Lou isn’t the sole reason for you and Sukey staying married.’

‘Then I better had offer you some advice. Though I’ve seen him but seldom since he was baptized, your boy is my godson and oft have I chided myself for allowing that relationship to dissipate into no more than Christmas and birthday gifts.’

‘I shouldn’t think you want any pudding, Martin. Nor me. While we’re waiting for coffee, if you wouldn’t mind I’ll light my pipe.’