She nods at Jack, tries to think of something that will sound pleasant whilst keeping him in his place, but doesn’t succeed. And now here is that girl of his, standing beside him, dressed in paint-splashed overalls and smiling at Judith as if they are old friends.

‘Hi,’ she says cheerfully. ‘How are you doing?’

‘I’m well, thank you,’ Judith answers coolly, but remembering to smile. ‘How are you?’

‘I’m good,’ answers Amy, and Judith is seized with another pang of irritation. She wants to point out that she is enquiring after Amy’s health, not her moral well-being – why do the young talk in this irritating way? – but she contains herself and nods again.

‘And congratulations on the new grandchild,’ adds Amy. ‘That’s really great.’

Judith feels herself thawing a little, warming to this generous remark.

‘Thank you,’ she answers. ‘It’s all very exciting.’

‘We were just going to grab a quick cup of coffee,’ Jack says. ‘Would you like to join us?’

‘No, no,’ says Judith quickly – rather too quickly. She smiles again to cover any rudeness. ‘Max will be wondering where I am. But thank you.’

‘See you later, then,’ Amy says. ‘Glad you can come to Dad’s party.’

Jack Hannaford grins, as if he can guess exactly what Judith is thinking, and she simply nods again, and turns away. She’s already told Max what she thinks about the party but Max is standing firm. He’s always liked Jack; all those silly quiz nights, and sailing together. Judith’s view is that surely Max has plenty of other friends at the sailing club he can go sailing with.

Judith climbs the steps beside the Fortescue, thinking about the party. The trouble is that Jack always makes her feel uneasy. She suspects that deep down he is laughing at her, that he lacks respect. This is all part of the problem with living in a small community, of course: people are so friendly – too friendly. Max enjoys it – and so does Cara – but personally she prefers the anonymity of the city. Not too big, of course. Somewhere like Oxford. Outside their house Judith pauses for a moment, staring up at it. The idea in her head has expanded and taken shape. And now another thought occurs, blinding in its clarity, and she stands, gazing at nothing, thinking it through, trying it out.

Max comes out on to the balcony above her and looks down at her.

‘Got a problem?’ he calls. ‘Want me to let down a rope and haul you up?’

He bursts out laughing, as though he has said something funny, and calls to Cara behind him in the kitchen. It occurs to Judith that Cara never goes out on to the balcony but the thought doesn’t distract Judith from her new and exciting idea. She nods at Max, acknowledging his witticism, and goes in through the gate to the front door.