Jack glances around the bar. To begin with, when he first saw the man sitting at the table by the window, he’d wondered if it might be Cosmo. He’s a stranger but he doesn’t look like a holiday-maker and no one has joined him. It was clear, however, that Amy doesn’t know him and he doesn’t know her; there wasn’t even a flicker of recognition. Jack is disappointed: he really wants to meet Cosmo, to size him up, but Amy remains vague about bringing him home or their having a drink all together at the pub. He catches Charley’s eye and smiles at her. Perhaps Amy has told her about Cosmo. Jack wonders how he might lead the conversation round to it if he can get Charley alone, though he wouldn’t expect her to tell tales out of school, of course. It’s just that he feels uneasy about Cosmo, just as he feels slightly anxious about Sam.

Old fool, he tells himself, and raises his glass to Charley across the table.

Charley lifts her glass in response.

‘For God’s sake,’ Amy said last night, when they’d had supper and were finishing the wine, ‘don’t mention any of this to Dad. He knows I see Cosmo around but he doesn’t know how I really feel. I mean, it’s crazy, isn’t it? I hardly know him.’

Charley didn’t say much. She listened, nodded, made the occasional response when it was required but she just let Amy talk. She was at that stage when she simply needed to talk about the beloved; to mention his name, things he said, the silly jokes. Charley had never seen her like this before and she was touched and amused.

‘He sounds great,’ she said, when Amy paused for breath. ‘So what’s the problem? He’s not married, is he?’

‘No, of course not,’ Amy answered quickly. ‘It’s just that he works in London and he’ll be going back any time soon.’

‘So?’ asked Charley. ‘It has been known that two people can have a relationship whilst living apart. Or you could move to London. Or maybe he could relocate?’

‘He’s mentioned that,’ Amy said. ‘He’s really keen on photography and he’d love to make a career out of it, but it’s a huge step.’

‘So what’s the big deal?’ asked Charley. ‘Why all the secrecy and silence? Why don’t you want Jack to meet him?’

Amy shrugged, made a face. ‘You know Dad. He’s being silly and saying Cosmo is a posh name. I’m afraid he’ll do that yokel thing and embarrass me.’

Charley laughed. ‘Of course he won’t. And even if he does it shouldn’t bother Cosmo. He’s big enough and old enough to take care of himself, isn’t he? Do you want me to meet him first? Would that help?’