It was another reason Martin was annoyed at being late. There was less time for him and Sandra.

He pulled up outside the tutor’s house. James opened the car door, then looked at him.

‘Is something wrong?’

James raised an eyebrow. ‘Money?’ he said. ‘To pay him? I forgot it last week as well.’

‘Oh. Of course.’ Martin climbed out. ‘I’ll give him a cheque.’

They walked up to the front door and rang the bell. After a few seconds Martin heard footsteps and the door opened.

Mr Best, Sandra’s old teacher, smiled at him.

‘Sorry we’re late,’ Martin said. ‘My son and punctuality seem not to go together very well.’

‘That’s fine,’ Best said. ‘Glad you made it. Come in, James.’

Martin took out his cheque book and felt in his pockets for a pen. Best reached into the hall and handed one to him.

‘Sorry about the cheque. I don’t have cash.’

‘Thank you.’ Best took the cheque. ‘I appreciate it.’

‘Pleasure.’ Martin grabbed his car keys. ‘I’ll be back in ninety minutes. See you then.’

2

Sandra was watching a politics programme when he came into the living room. She was sitting on the sofa, her legs crossed. It was clearly engrossing; she didn’t turn to look at him.

He watched her for a few moments then started to massage her shoulders. With James out of the house, they could do it right here.

Or in the kitchen. Anywhere, really.

She stiffened, and he stopped.

‘Is everything OK?’

She turned and looked up at him, her face red and her eyes wet with tears.

He sat opposite her.

‘It hit me when you left,’ she said, her voice soft. ‘I watched you and James go and then I thought, in a week from now she’ll have been gone a year. I’ve known the anniversary is coming up, but all of a sudden it was there. A year without our baby girl.’

Martin nodded. ‘I know. It’s been on my mind too.’

‘It doesn’t really get better, does it?’ Sandra closed her eyes. ‘It fades a bit, becomes part of the background, but when you remember it, it hurts as much as it ever did. I still find it hard to believe she’s gone.’

‘Sometimes I dream she’s home,’ Martin said. ‘And in my dream I’m so happy. Ecstatic. But then I wake up and remember she’s not there. It takes all day to recover.’

‘Me too.’

‘James as well, probably.’

‘How was he?’ Sandra asked. ‘Do you think he knows it’s coming up?’

‘I imagine so. I’ll talk to him later. Check he’s OK. I’m glad he’s got Louise.’