‘I’m not sure I’ve ever met him,’ says Cara. ‘You’ve got so many godchildren, Max.’

He laughs. ‘Can’t think why, but I try to keep up with them all. The thing is that young Sam has passed his Admiralty Interview Board and he’ll be off to Dartmouth after Christmas. Perhaps he needs a bit of encouragement.’

‘And is his father pleased that he’s following in his footsteps?’ she asks.

Max’s smile fades. ‘Well, that’s the thing. His father was killed. An IRA bomb back in the nineties. He never knew Sam.’

‘My God,’ says Cara, shocked. ‘How terrible.’

Max gives a snort. ‘And then, would you believe, the boy’s mother died in a skiing accident when he was three.’ He sighs. ‘Why is it that some people just get all the shit?’

‘Poor Sam. Poor little boy.’ Cara still looks shocked.

‘Sam was brought up by his aunt Fliss and her husband, Hal Chadwick, over near Dartington. They’re a good old naval family, the Chadwicks. Hal rose to great heights, actually. He’s now Admiral Sir Henry Chadwick but he doesn’t take it too seriously. He asked me to stand godfather because Mole and I had served together and Hal was an old naval mate, too, though not a submariner like me and Mole.’

‘Mole?’

‘Sam’s father. It was his family nickname. No idea why. His proper name was Sam and I suppose the child was named for him. Anyway, that’s the background. How d’you feel about him coming for a day or two? He’s a good lad.’

‘How old is he?’ asks Cara. ‘Is he joining the navy straight from school?’

‘No, no. He’s been to uni. Durham. He’s twenty-two but he’s a very mature twenty-two. Hal and Fliss were in their fifties when Sam went to live with them and the military background at home, plus boarding school, has its effect. He’s very self-contained but great fun. We see him a bit more since we’ve retired. I think you’d like him.’

‘Well, of course he must come,’ she says. ‘Did you say he lives near Dartington?’

‘Yes. They’ve got a big old family place there. The Keep. Hal can drive him over or I can pick him up. Or he can catch the bus. He’s got a little car but the parking here is usually so dire that he often makes his own way. It would be good to see the boy, if you’re happy with it.’

‘I’d love to meet him,’ she says firmly. ‘If he’s asking to see you there must be some reason for it.’