Max is silent. At twenty-one he’d found it embarrassing to see his father so unashamedly happy with a young woman who was not his wife. It was a relief to be away at sea. Not long afterwards he’d met Judith and he was even more relieved to have his own future to plan for, though he was glad that Cara and Hermione got on so well together.

‘She had a boutique in the King’s Road,’ Cara is saying, ‘and she gave me some gorgeous clothes. She used to come and visit me at school and the other girls were simply green with envy. I loved her so much.’

Max knows that Cara loves anyone who will allow her to love them and it worries him, especially now that she is alone again.

‘I’m glad,’ he says rather awkwardly. ‘I didn’t see as much of her as you did. But I’m glad she was there for you.’

He was going to add, ‘And then there was Philip,’ but once again he is hindered by his anxiety of being tactless, reminding her of what she’s lost.

‘So what time is Sam going to be getting here?’ she asks.

He glances at his watch. ‘Any time now,’ he says, and he forgets about Philip and begins to think about his godson and to prepare for his arrival.

As soon as Sam sees Cara he realizes that all his preconceptions were wrong. He’s been preparing to meet a slightly forbidding if pleasant woman. A woman who has lived in different cities all over Europe: sensible, confident, even judgemental.

This stereotype fades as he and Max walk into the sitting-room and Cara, sitting on the sofa with her bare feet tucked under her, and wearing an oversized shirt over jeans, waves to him informally.

‘Hi, Sam,’ she says. ‘Sorry I can’t get up but poor old Oscar is exhausted.’

She indicates the dog, who is stretched beside her with his head on her thigh. His tail thumps lethargically and Sam laughs.

‘Don’t get up, Oscar,’ he says. ‘I’ll take it that you’re pleased to see me.’

He crosses the room and shakes Cara’s outstretched hand while Max makes the introductions.

‘I can’t believe we’ve never met,’ she says, smiling at Sam.

Her smile is delightful and he feels at ease, welcome. He gives a silent sigh of relief and pleasure. Perhaps this was the right decision: to get away for a few days in an attempt to try to sort out his feelings. Max has gone back downstairs to the kitchen to make tea and Sam perches on a nearby armchair.