As I finish my well-practised speech, I look round the table at the abandoned starters, realising it wasn’t such a good idea to do this over lunch. A waste of food and money. Then I look up into the dumbstruck faces of my mother and sister and see my message has well and truly hit home.

‘Look, I’m sorry to sound harsh but this is happening,’ I say to them. ‘I’m a grown woman and it’s my decision. I’d rather do it with your support, but if it comes to it, I’ll do it without it.’

‘Right, well.’ My mother snatches up her bag, yanks on her camel cashmere cardigan and gets to her feet.

‘Where are you going?’ I look at her incredulously.

‘I’m leaving, Alex. Just like you. I assume you don’t expect to be part of my decision, given I wasn’t involved in yours.’

This I was not expecting. Neither was John, apparently. He reaches for my mother’s hand, but she flicks him away.

‘But… hang on, this is ridiculous,’ I protest. ‘We haven’t even had our main course yet.’

‘No. Shame really.’ She looks genuinely disappointed by this. ‘I was quite looking forward to the sea trout. They do it so well here.’

‘Isabel, please?’ John appeals to my mother in a last-ditch attempt to get her to stay.

‘No, John.’ Her voice is almost a whisper but her message is strong. ‘Not this time. My daughter has carefully planned this event to keep me out of her life. I would never have done the same to her. You can tell her she can get in touch once she wakes up from this silly fantasy and is ready to discuss a realistic plan for her future.’

I’m shocked to the core as I watch my mother exit the restaurant, careful to remain composed while there’s the possibility of eyes on her. As I watch her go, Carol scrambles to her feet. She looks at me with venom.

‘Well done, brat. You’ve always been so blinkin’ selfish.’

Less bothered about making a scene, she gallops off after my mother, as the restaurant comes to a standstill and forty pairs of eyes land on our table.

‘Well, that went well.’ John chuckles, more out of discomfort than amusement. ‘Perhaps I’d better go as well. I’ve got the car keys.’

‘I’m so sorry about that, John.’ I chew my lip in discomfort. ‘I genuinely thought coming here would allow for a calmer, more constructive conversation.’

‘She’ll calm down. Just give her some time. Can I pay towards the bill?’

‘Definitely not.’ I shake my head firmly. ‘This is my mess. I’ll clear it up.’

‘If you’re sure.’ John gives me a hug and a fatherly kiss on the cheek, then heads out of the restaurant.

As I watch yet another member of my family vacate the restaurant, I feel a reassuring hand on my arm.

‘Sorry that’s how it turned out.’ Sasha gazes at me sadly with her big blue eyes.