‘You mustn’t forget,’ interposes Jack gently, ‘that we have it on his own authority that he’s a half-wit.’

Sam shrugs regretfully. ‘There you have it. People bursting into song at the least encouragement, murdering each other, committing suicide, dying of consumption. And all in a foreign language.’ He sighs. ‘I guess I just don’t have what it takes to get it.’

Max laughs. ‘I couldn’t have put it better myself. Good man, Sam. We Philistines must stick together.’

‘Just you and me then,’ Jack says to Cara. ‘I’m looking forward to it already.’

‘Can’t get over old Jack being an opera buff,’ Max says later when they’re back at home.

‘But it was you who told me I shouldn’t underestimate him,’ laughs Cara.

She sits at the kitchen table beside Sam, who has borrowed Max’s computer and is working through property sites.

‘Well, he likes to do what Amy calls his local yokel thing,’ says Max.

‘You mean he chose what he wanted to do, gave up teaching so that he could do it, but still has a slight chip on his shoulder when snobby people treat him as a tradesman?’

‘Something like that. He’s a real craftsman, though. He just likes to wrong-foot people. To have a laugh.’

‘Well, I hope the opera wasn’t a joke,’ says Cara. ‘I’d like to go.’

Max is checking his phone. ‘Will you excuse me?’ he says. ‘Judith is asking me to call her. Everything’s OK,’ he adds, ‘but it looks like she’s decided to stay on in case the baby comes early. Freya’s mum can’t get over from Denmark yet.’

He goes into the small study, pushing the door closed behind him, and the other two sit in silence for a moment, staring at the computer screen.

‘Maybe she’ll want him to go to Oxford,’ says Cara.

Sam frowns at the screen. ‘If it becomes difficult,’ he ventures at last, ‘you could always come and stay at The Keep. There’s loads of room and Fliss wouldn’t mind a bit. She was saying she’d like to meet you.’

Cara is touched by this kindness.

‘That’s very sweet of you,’ she says, ‘but I’m not sure where Oscar would fit in. In fact, I might be more useful if I stay here to look after him.’

‘He could come, too,’ says Sam. ‘We all love dogs.’

Cara laughs. ‘Well, that’s very comforting. Thank you. Let’s see what the outcome is before we make a plan. Perhaps you could stay on here to help me cope with Oscar and house-hunting?’

She watches his serious face break into a delighted smile.

‘I’d like that,’ he says. ‘Look. There’s a rather nice flat to rent in Dartmouth. Amazing views. Do you know Dartmouth?’