‘Probably needs some money and he’s afraid to ask Hal,’ says Max. ‘No, no, I’m joking. He likes to talk about old Mole from time to time. He looks just like him, too. Gives me quite a jolt when I see him these days.’

Cosmo and Amy are standing up, preparing to leave. Amy lifts a hand to Max and Cosmo turns to see whom it is she’s smiling at. He smiles at Cara, his face alight with friendliness, and that resemblance, so like Joe’s smile, strikes afresh at her heart. She raises her hand to him, glad that Max is with her to discourage any further communication, and feels relief when the door closes behind them. She is beginning to feel the danger of keeping secrets, of being in denial, for so many years. Only she knows the truth now, and without Philip she feels a kind of instability, like a long dormant volcano about to erupt. She smiles quickly at Max, who is watching her thoughtfully.

‘So when is he coming?’ she asks, trying to sound excited. ‘Should we do some shopping? Make the other bedroom ready? What would Judith do?’

‘Judith would be fussing,’ he answers, ‘but I don’t intend to get in a state about it. If we run out of food we’ll go to the pub. Let’s get home and I’ll phone him and make a plan.’

Cosmo and Amy walk together down Fore Street and into Island Street. She has to pick up her car and drive to Kingsbridge. Her latest client wants to see some new paint charts Amy has found and to discuss the nursery in more detail.

‘You could come with me if you like,’ she suggests casually, and Cosmo stares at her in amazement and delight.

She doesn’t quite know what has made her say the words – they seemed to come from nowhere – but she really likes being with him. He’s stimulating, fun. She knows he likes her and she’s enjoying the sensation.

‘I’d love it,’ he begins, and then his face falls. ‘But there’s old Reggie. I’ve been out quite a while and I’m not sure I should leave him much longer. He might start eating the furniture or something.’

‘Bring him too,’ she says recklessly, surprising herself further. ‘You and he can explore Kingsbridge while I do my thing and then we could take him for a walk on the cliffs on the way home. He’ll have to squash up a bit in the back of my car but the back seats are down anyway to get my stuff in. He’s not that big.’

She’s amused by Cosmo’s expression. Clearly he’s not used to acting on a sudden whim but he’s enchanted by it.

‘OK then,’ he says. ‘Let’s go for it. Where are you parked?’