‘I can identify with that a little. I feel so trim these days because I rarely get to sit still. Even when I’m painting, I tend to stand and pace back and forth. There’s always something to do here and now everyone is beginning to get in the festive mood.’ My upbeat tone evaporates as it reminds me that we are facing our first Christmas apart since we exchanged our wedding vows.

He pulls a face. ‘I know. But your parents will be over in Wales at their holiday cottage and Owen will be sampling the delights of Newquay with his mates. Hannah is flying off with Liam and his family to ski in Austria. It was always going to be a very different celebration for us as a family this year, anyway. My parents might even have invited themselves over from Greece to keep us company.’

He gives me a sardonic smile. Aiden’s parents took early retirement and sold up in the UK to live on the island of Corfu. They’d holidayed there at least once a year for more than twenty years and had gained a lot of friends in that time. They joined an expats club and now have a hectic social life, which is lovely, but whenever Aiden has flown over for a short visit, it certainly hasn’t been a rest.

Joss walks behind Aiden, turning to give me a brief wave.

‘Hi, Joss,’ I call out.

She never stops to chat and that bothers me. Not because it’s rude, but because… well, I guess I can’t help thinking she’s avoiding me. She’s probably trying to give Aiden some privacy as he usually calls from a communal room.

‘We can have our Christmas in July when we get back,’ I continue. ‘Hopefully we can get everyone together for at least a long weekend and I’m sure your parents will be eager to pay a flying visit. Mum and Dad will want to hold an engagement party for Hannah and Liam, too, so maybe we can tie that in at the same time. It’s going to be all go.’

He chews his lip and I know how he feels. It’s hard to talk about going home when it’s still such a long time away.

‘You’re right, but we’ll cope somehow. How’s the painting coming along? Any new canvases?’

I give him a mirthful look. ‘Incredibly well. I’m ordering paint and canvas every other week. The problem is that I don’t know what I’m going to do with them all. I need to sort out and discard the ones that turned out to be a painful part of the learning process. But I’m pleased with my little collection, Aiden. And I’m finding inspiration everywhere.’