We were interrupted by Eleanor calling my brother’s name from the back door and simultaneously we looked in her direction. Her hair was held back by a royal blue scarf tied at the nape of her neck, the ends trailing one shoulder, and she wore an off-the-shoulder white T-shirt and tight white trousers that reached her calves. On her feet were delicate gold sandals. I was ready to wave but she didn’t seem to see us.

‘Jago!’ she called again. ‘Have you finished yet?’

My brother, who was gathering up the paint-spattered sheet, glanced at her briefly and nodded. Then he bent to pick up the paint pot and walked across the terrace towards her. He glanced over in our direction. Edie ran her hand through her hair.

We watched them talking but couldn’t hear exactly what they were saying. Jago looked our way a few times. Then he looked down at the floor. Nodded. Kicked his heel against the paving stones. I could tell by the way his body tensed, the clench of his free hand, the set of his mouth, that whatever she was saying to him was making him angry.

‘Maybe she thinks he’s done a bad job?’ I said.

Edie jumped to her feet and went over to them. Her hips swayed from side to side as she walked, her bottom pert and firm and inadequately covered by the pink bikini bottoms.

Jago didn’t look up as she approached. Eleanor was stony-faced and said only a few words to her, before turning back to Jago and thrusting out a brown envelope towards him. He folded it and slipped it into the back pocket of his jeans then made to leave. Edie faced her mother. Hands on hips. Glowering. She said something and Eleanor shook her head. Edie spoke again but her mother turned her back on her and walked back into the house.

‘What was all that about?’ I asked as Edie returned.

‘No more work for him.’

‘That’s what made you cross?’

‘I’m not cross, but, God, she’s such a cow. I’d told him he could swim before he left and she interrupted me and said she didn’t think that was appropriate.’

‘He’s not that bothered about swimming. Remember?’

She ignored what I said. ‘You two are close, aren’t you?’

‘Me and Jago?’

She nodded.

‘Sure. He’s annoying sometimes. Like any brother, I suppose. We’re definitely close though. I mean, I can tell him anything.’

As I spoke I felt guilt expand inside me. Guilt that I got so angry with him for getting involved when I was talking to Edie at Botallack and for being irritated with him being at The Cliff House. After all, he was working, not there to see Edie or have barbecues.

‘I was wondering if maybe the three of us can hang out again. I enjoyed the walk to the mine the other day.’