Jack washes his mug under the tap, wraps it in a tea towel, puts it back in his holdall, and wonders about Cosmo. There was a certain note in Amy’s voice, a little sparkle in her eyes, but he’s glad now he didn’t tease her about it. There have been a few young fellows about, quite a serious relationship while she was at college, but nothing too serious. He’s learned to give her space and independence, and together they’ve learned to manage the pain of losing Sally. It will be very difficult when Amy decides to leave home but he knows it will happen and he hopes that he will be able to make it easy for her.

Not with Cosmo, though. He couldn’t cope with a son-in-law called Cosmo. Grinning to himself he prepares to start work again, fetching the tins of paint from the hall, prising off a lid with a screwdriver. Suddenly he has a thought, takes out his phone and sends a text. Then he picks up his paintbrush, plugs in his earphones and switches on his music. Bill Withers. ‘Lovely Day’. That’ll do nicely.

The text comes in just as Cara and Max are finishing lunch. They sit at the big kitchen table, the doors open to the balcony and to the sunshine. Max takes his phone from his pocket and reads the message.

‘Jack,’ he says. ‘Reminding me that it’s quiz night at the pub. I had a senior moment a couple of weeks ago and missed it. He doesn’t let me forget it now.’

‘Jack?’ she queries.

‘Jack Hannaford,’ he answers, tapping a reply. ‘He did all that work here when we moved the kitchen upstairs. He’s good news, is Jack. If you come along tonight you’ll meet him, but don’t underestimate him. He’s a very intelligent man who gave up a career as a teacher in favour of being his own man. He’s a free spirit.’

‘Sounds like fun,’ she agrees. ‘You’re so lucky to have all this, Max. Very clever of you to buy way back and to have this to retire to, and your little boat. I envy you.’

Max gets up, collects their plates, not knowing how to answer. He feels his good luck in the face of Cara’s situation but the right words are so difficult to find. As he puts the plates into the dishwasher he has a sudden recollection: a flashback to childhood.