She saw her mother talking to them both, probably reading them the riot act. Her husband’s head dropped as he listened, and Nelson held out his hand – and Kev took it. Nelson moved closer to the barbecue, looking at what was cooking, and then the two men started discussing it. When Ursula came inside, she looked very pleased with herself.

‘So that’s what this is all about, it’s an excuse to invite Nelson.’

‘They’ll be fine now,’ said Ursula, emptying the bag of salad into a colander and taking it to the sink. ‘All I needed to do was engineer an excuse to get Stuart here. Everyone’s friends now.’

They watched Nelson and Kev talking about the meat. Kev showed him the marinade. After a couple of minutes their ceasefire was confirmed when Kev handed Nelson the tongs. Their neighbour immediately took the opportunity to prod and poke at the meat, and Kev came inside to the fridge, took out two bottles of beer.

‘Everything alright?’ Sasha asked over the rim of her glass of wine.

‘Yeah.’ He nodded cagily. ‘So far so good.’

He walked back outside and handed one of the bottles to Nelson.

‘I’ve got to admit it, Mum, you’ve played a blinder,’ Sasha said and Ursula preened. ‘Maybe you could sort out the Middle East next.’

‘You don’t get to my age without learning a thing or two about men.’ Her mother rinsed the salad. ‘Life’s too short to hold silly grudges.’

‘You should take your own advice and go home to Dad. I went to see him today.’ Sasha’s visit to her father first thing seemed like a million years ago now.

Ursula opened a cupboard to find a bowl. ‘Is that right?’

‘He’s waiting for you to come home.’

‘Did he say that?’ Sasha frowned, not in so many words. ‘Our marriage isn’t big enough for the three of us.’

‘He told me this Annie person is just a friend.’

‘Your father has told me a lot of things down the years,’ her mother said darkly, ‘and I’ve learned to take them all with a pinch of salt.’

‘Like what?’ asked Sasha.

‘I’d rather not talk about it, I was hoping we could all have a nice evening.’ Sasha had known hardened criminals give up their secrets more easily. ‘And besides, I’m happy here.’

Bloody hell, thought Sasha, she’s here to stay.

‘Go, relax,’ said her mother.