She feels her own sense of relief as she says these words. Soon Cosmo will be gone and maybe she will be able to regain that self-defence, that quietness of mind, that she’s created so carefully over the years. Cara glances sideways at Jack’s profile. She suspects that he’s trying to think of a way around her staying in Salcombe without causing problems with her sister-in-law and once again she’s touched by his compassion. She tries to lift the atmosphere to a lighter level.

‘So perhaps you should invite lots of lovely people to your lunch party,’ she suggests, ‘so that I can make all these new friends.’

She sees him smile. ‘I’ll think about it,’ he says.

As he sits at his laptop, Sam turns as he hears the front door open and glances at his watch. It’s rather early for Cara to be back from the opera and he switches his laptop off, gets to his feet and goes to the top of the stairs. Oscar is already there, tail wagging expectantly.

‘Only me,’ calls Max. ‘Thought you might have gone to the pub.’

‘We weren’t expecting you till tomorrow,’ says Sam, stepping back as Max climbs up towards him.

‘Yes, sorry about that. I texted Cara, forgetting that she was going to the opera, and I was nearly here when I remembered so there didn’t seem much point in ringing. Paul is back from his conference at Harvard and it’s a bit of a squeeze so we decided that I was surplus to requirements now he’s back.’ He strokes Oscar. ‘Hello, old chap. Have you been a good boy?’

‘Tea?’ offers Sam. ‘Coffee?’

‘Actually,’ says Max, ‘I think something stronger might be in order. It was a long drive home.’

Sam grins. ‘You sound like Hal. Let me guess. Gin and tonic?’

‘Now you’re talking,’ says Max, subsiding at the table. ‘I am feeling very, very old. Gin’s over there. Tonic and lemon in the fridge.’

Sam makes the gin and tonic to Hal’s strict specifications – plenty of gin, not too much tonic – and hands the glass to Max, who takes it gratefully and sips.

‘Aaah. I approve of someone who knows how to make a decent G and T. You’ve clearly had training from Hal. Good man. So what’s new?’

‘Nothing much.’ Sam sits opposite and tries to think of anything that’s happened since Max left for Oxford.

‘Oh, come on,’ says Max encouragingly, stretching his legs comfortably beneath the table, one hand on Oscar’s head. ‘So I left you at The Keep …’