As she talked on, giving him no chance to put a point of view, Max grew angry and frustrated, and more depressed at the prospect of leaving his life here in Salcombe, in Buckley Street. When he suggested discussing the plan with Paul and Freya, Judith said that she wanted to make absolutely sure that Cara was in a position to pay the recommended price for the house so that they could buy what they wanted in Oxford.

‘After all, we don’t know what commitments she and Philip had,’ she said, ‘and though it’s unlikely there would be a problem it’s best to be clear. And Freya and Paul will be pleased,’ she added confidently. ‘Freya will want to go back to work before too long and she’ll be very relieved to have childcare lined up.’

The more she talked, the more hopeless Max became. He was certain that Cara would believe that her agreement was key to this new plan: that she might feel obliged to go along with it to give them the opportunity to be near their family. Max knew he would have no chance to get her alone and tell her that she didn’t have to buy the house if she didn’t want it. He wondered how she’d feel at the prospect of him moving away just after she’d come to Salcombe to be near him. In an odd, irrational way he feels that he’s letting Philip down.

And now here they are, waiting for Sam and Cara. Judith is alert, expectant. Max is nervous. But as soon as Sam and Cara come in he’s aware of some indefinable change in both of them. Sam has a newly confident air, a kind of suppressed excitement. And no sooner have they arrived than he’s off again to see Amy.

‘Bit of a crisis,’ he tells them airily. ‘Not sure when I’ll be back but don’t wait supper.’

Max can see that Judith is irritated by this casual behaviour, but, before she can comment on it, Cara is speaking. She talks quickly, as if she fears that she might lose her nerve, yet there’s a new determination about her.

‘We’ve had a great time,’ she says, ‘and while I’ve been away I’ve come to a decision. It’s been really great to be here but I know I’m crowding you a bit so I’ve accepted Fliss’s invitation to stay with them while I continue to look around for a place to live.’