‘Don’t you miss them?’ Charlotte prompted, adopting a more gentle tone. ‘You and Matt were inseparable. What’s changed?’ She already knew the answer but wanted to see if he would acknowledge Bella’s influence.

Ben pursed his lips slightly and sighed heavily. ‘I do miss them. But sometimes in life you have to make choices. My life now is all about Elodie … and Bella,’ he added, more quietly.

‘I get that Elodie is a priority. Of course she is. But, Ben, what about your mum? She’s so lonely without your dad and now she’s lost you, too …’

‘She hasn’t lost me!’ he cut in fiercely. ‘I still speak to her.’

Charlotte knew she had to tread carefully. She didn’t want to get into a row with him and make things even worse than before. ‘OK, well, that’s good, obviously. But speaking on the phone is no substitute for actually spending time with her, is it? For her being able to hug Elodie? Why don’t you ever visit?’

Ben hesitated. ‘It’s complicated. Bella’s job is quite busy …’ he tailed off and Charlotte could see that even he knew it was a lame excuse.

‘My job’s busy, Ben. Your job was busy. But we still found time to visit your parents and we didn’t even have the added incentive of a baby in tow.’ She glanced towards Elodie, thinking how much Jo would love spending time with her. ‘If Bella’s job is too demanding, maybe you could take Elodie and go on your own?’ She thought, but didn’t add, that Jo would much prefer it that way.

Ben sighed again, looking exhausted and defeated. ‘Maybe. I’ll see what Bella thinks.’

Charlotte shook her head. She had spent twelve years with this man and yet she felt like she didn’t recognize him at all. He had always been so funny and outgoing. Now he seemed cowed and beaten. He loved his friends and he loved his family. Yet he never saw any of them anymore. It was inconceivable that he could have lost touch with everyone from his old life. But somehow he had. ‘Can I ask you something?’ Charlotte had a desperate urge to reach out and take his hand but he still had his arms firmly wrapped around his body.

Ben gave a small shrug by way of reply.

‘Are you happy?’

‘Of course.’ The reply was as quick as it was automatic. But it didn’t ring true. His face gave him away.

‘It’s just …’ Charlotte hesitated, unsure whether or not to continue. ‘You seem so different to how you used to be. Do you remember, Ben? Do you remember how you used to be? You were the life and soul of every party. We couldn’t shut you up!’

Ben smiled and picked at an imaginary piece of fluff on his jeans, before wrapping his arms around his body again. ‘I was a nightmare,’ he murmured, shaking his head. ‘I don’t know how you put up with me for so long.’