Irene stood at the far end of the garden, leaning against the low wall and staring out at the stars and at the deep black of the sky that felt like a dizzying abyss hanging above her. What did she want, really really want? There was a hand on her shoulder and she turned.

‘Hello,’ she began.

‘Irene,’ said Mickey. ‘I just wanted to say – oh what the hell.’

He put his hands on either side of her face and kissed her on her mouth, pulling her close and blotting out the pulsing stars and the plummeting sky. She felt his cool lips, his hot fingers on her skin, the jump of his heart against her chest. He smelt of wine and garlic and something faintly flowery, like geraniums. Nothing like Adrian; the strangeness of it shocked her. She pulled back.

‘What?’ he said.

‘That’s the first time in thirteen years or more that I’ve kissed anyone except my husband.’

‘And? Was it OK?’

‘I need to go now,’ she said, smiling slightly to remove the sting. ‘People will be going soon.’

Upstairs, Katherine and Emma were lying asleep in her bed, top to toe. She went into the bathroom and locked the door, splashed cold water over her face and looked at herself in the mirror. Her face was fuller, her eyes brighter, her hair was growing longer. Soon, she would be able to brush it behind her ears and it would cover her neck. She looked – she stared at herself for a moment – she looked more like herself at last; more like the person that she had always thought she was.

People were starting to leave. Outside in the lane, cars started up, voices called goodbye in French, in English. She returned to the garden, where the moustached bacteriologist with the garlicky breath was kissing the balding doctor and Toni was goggling at them in frank shock. Irene, grinning to herself, helped her button the bleary-eyed girls into their cardigans. Duncan was standing at the edge of the garden looking rumpled and sad.

‘Our taxi’s here,’ said Toni. ‘It’s been a good party.’

‘I’m glad you could come.’

‘When are you leaving?’ asked Toni.

‘Tomorrow – or maybe Sunday. I haven’t really made my plans. What about you?’

‘We’re going to Nice tomorrow. We have to be in Paris on Monday afternoon for Duncan’s work. Then we’re flying home a week later.’

‘I hope you have a lovely time.’

‘I’ve never been abroad before,’ said Toni suddenly. ‘We only got passports a few months ago, especially for this trip. I’ve been looking forward to it so much. I bought new clothes and went on this special diet. I tried to learn about the family. You and Jem. We’re like, related, right? I thought …’She stopped.

‘I hope everything goes all right,’ said Irene inadequately.

‘Yeah.’ Toni sounded dispirited; then lifted one sharp brown shoulder. ‘Oh well.’