‘Thank you, baby,’ I say, turning the pebble over in my palm. ‘It’s beautiful. And look, there are more.’

I crouch beside him and pick up a handful of the mossy, damp stones.

‘Watch this,’ I say as I skim one across the lake. ‘Look at the ripples.’

‘I do it,’ says Joe, bending down to pick up another pebble. ‘I try.’

He spins the pebble into the lake. It doesn’t carry very far and plops into the water just inches from our feet. It doesn’t matter though. He’s loving the game.

‘Good shot, Joe,’ I say, rubbing his head. ‘Now, my turn.’

We stand like that for a good ten minutes, skimming pebbles and watching them flutter across the lake. When I throw one particularly large pebble it makes a great splashing noise as it hits the water.

‘Ooh, that was like a big fish,’ I say, putting my hand across my eyes to shade them from the sharp sunlight. ‘Hey, Joe, shall we be fishermen?’

There’s a load of old bracken gathered in a pile by the gate. I walk across and find a long, thin branch then bring it back to the lake.

‘Look, here’s my fishing rod,’ I say as I lower the branch into the lake. ‘Now, let’s see if we can find a fish.’

‘Fish,’ whispers Joe, his eyes fixed firmly on the water.

‘Oooh,’ I cry, yanking at the branch. ‘I think I caught something. Wait … ooh … it’s a heavy one.’

I haul the branch out, then pull a face at Joe.

‘Oh no, missed it,’ I say, clicking my tongue. ‘That silly old fish was just too big.’

Joe giggles and claps his hands excitedly.

‘Again,’ he cries. ‘Get fish again.’

‘Again?’ I say, putting my hands on my hips. ‘You want me to try again? Oh, I don’t know. Do you think I’ve enough puff left?’

‘Yes, yes, again,’ he cries. ‘Want to see the big fish.’

‘Okay,’ I say, lifting up the branch. ‘Let’s see if we can catch him this time.’

I swing the branch towards the water and repeat the charade of trying to haul out the big fish. Beside me, Joe shrieks with laughter.

‘Again. Again.’

I do as he says and we’re laughing so much I don’t notice the car pulling up.

‘Wow, that looks like fun.’

The voice makes me jump. I drop the branch and turn to see Isobel walking towards us. She’s dressed for the weather in her long black coat and furry hat.

‘Did you catch anything, Joe?’ she says, crouching down next to him, the edge of her coat trailing in the water.

‘Big fish,’ he cries, pointing towards the lake. ‘In there.’

‘A big fish?’ she repeats, her eyes wide. ‘Big enough for my dinner?’

Joe laughs and my heart sinks. Though it’s nice to see Isobel, part of me wishes she would just go away. Joe and I were making a breakthrough there and for the first time in God knows how long he had called me ‘Mummy’. Now Isobel is here and he only has eyes for her.