Now, as he watches her talking and laughing, he can see that it might be the right thing for her to stay here, amongst this friendly group of people, but not in a large, expensive house that would not necessarily be her choice. Max wonders how she will react to the news that he might be going to Oxford. He knows that it will be a shock – that she believes he and Judith are settled here – and he feels cross and sad that he doesn’t know what is best for his sister. It would be crazy to suggest that she should come to Oxford with them, and Judith certainly wouldn’t be pleased. He can’t see a way through it and feels frustrated and angry.

Sam sits down beside him and Max turns to him, glad to be distracted.

‘We looked for you earlier,’ he tells him. ‘Just to say we were going to do some shopping and then pop in here, but you were nowhere to be found.’

‘I went out for a walk,’ says Sam. ‘Just getting my bearings. So many little streets and passages. The thing is, I just want to check with you if it’s OK if I whisk Cara off to The Keep for a few days? Seems a bit rude, pinching your guest, but Hal and Fliss asked me to invite her over so she can meet Jolyon and Henrietta and the kids. I think I mentioned they’re down for the weekend.’

‘I think it’s a great idea,’ answers Max, ‘and I’m sure she’d love to. I think that she’ll be around for a while yet so there’s no need to worry about poaching.’

‘Great,’ says Sam. ‘And we can do a bit more exploring. I’d like to take her up on to the moor. Though I can’t quite see her wanting to live up there.’

Max wonders what Sam would say if he were to tell him that Judith is planning a move to Oxford and that she thinks Cara should buy the house in Buckley Street. Suddenly he is filled with an odd sense of desolation. He loves both his boys but Paul is an academic, wrapped up in his research work, and they have very little in common. Chris, on the other hand, loves to come here to Salcombe, to sail with his father and have a drink with his friends. These visits are so precious to Max. Sam is watching him: he looks concerned.

‘Are you OK?’ he asks.

Max pulls himself together. ‘Of course I am.’

He suddenly realizes that Sam seems to have lost the air of preoccupation, his introspective look. He’s relaxed, happy, and Max wonders what has happened to bring about the change. Instinctively he glances at Amy, who is talking animatedly to Cara.

‘So I hear we are to be meeting Cosmo this evening,’ he says. ‘How serious is it? Do you know?’