Jack looks quickly at Cara – Max has never made this suggestion when he’s been with Judith – but she’s smiling at him, nodding as if seconding the invitation. Sam is watching him with that same inscrutable look, unusual in one so young.

‘I’d like that,’ Jack says. ‘Thanks very much.’

As they sit down at the table with their drinks, looking at menus, Cara experiences a swift, terrible longing for Philip. These moments come so unexpectedly, lacerating her heart and leaving her feeling achingly lonely. She breathes deeply, reads the menu again, and then smiles at Jack.

‘How is Amy?’ she asks. ‘Max and I saw her in the Coffee Shop. Such a pretty girl.’

‘Oh, she’s abandoned me tonight,’ he replies. ‘I’ve been deserted for a guy called Cosmo.’ He rolls his eyes humorously. ‘I mean, come on. Cosmo? What kind of name is that?’

Max is grinning. ‘Not being a snob, are we?’

Sam looks up from his menu, his face serious. ‘We had a Cosmo in my house at school. He was in the first fifteen,’ he says, as if this should put Jack’s mind at rest.

Cara sees a whole variety of expressions pass over the older man’s face as he sums up Sam’s background, his education, his social position, and she sees a smile steal into Jack’s eyes. He gives a little shrug.

‘I rest my case,’ he says ironically.

Cara shakes her head at him, wondering if Sam knows he is being teased, and Jack winks back at her.

‘Who is Amy?’ asks Sam calmly.

‘She’s my daughter,’ answers Jack. ‘She’s about your age, I would guess. She’s a painter and decorator like me. The ladders and overalls kind.’

Cara can see that he’s waiting for Sam’s reaction but Sam simply nods.

‘I’m impressed,’ he answers. ‘I’m useless with a paintbrush or anything practical. There must be lots of work for her here with all the holiday cottages and summer lets.’

It’s clear that this isn’t quite the response Jack is expecting and Cara gives Sam a silent cheer.

‘So,’ says Jack, ‘if you’re no good at anything mechanical, and you can’t hold a paintbrush or do anything practical, how did you get into the navy?’

Sam looks at him as if he’s surprised at the question. ‘Surely you’ve heard the saying, haven’t you?’ he asks. ‘“The navy only takes half-wits. It supplies the other half in its own way and in its own time.”’ He shrugs. ‘Clearly we were destined for each other.’

Max bursts out laughing and Cara wants to give another little cheer but Jack is already raising his glass to Sam.

‘You win,’ he says to him.

Sam raises his eyebrows and pulls down the corners of his mouth, as if denying that he’s been aware of a contest, but he lifts his pint to Jack.