Leo ploughed on: ‘So Mum wondered if you would come round – or just talk to him over the phone – and really sort out what’s bothering him, once and for all.’

She stared at him with her large blue eyes, almost defiantly. ‘Do you want to know what it is, this thing between us?’

‘Umm … not really my business, Anezka.’

Ignoring his reply, she went on, ‘I will tell you what we argue about.’ She gave a heavy sigh. ‘We have been seeing each other a long time, you know. I think we love each other. So, I suggest we move in together. Your father, he says yes,’ she gave a short laugh, ‘but he mean no.’

Leo had no idea how to respond, but before he had time to think, she was asking, ‘You want to know why?’

He didn’t, but he knew she was going to tell him.

‘He is still in love with your mother.’ She spoke slowly, emphasizing each word loudly and carefully, as she cast a wounded glance at Leo. ‘All that time? He was just using me for sex.’

Leo was shocked. Was any of what she said true? His father ‘using’ someone for sex? His father in love with his mother throughout? Now he recalled Anezka implying, when they were in the hospital one day, that Michael would prefer to see someone other than her at his bedside. But although he’d noted the words as significant at the time, he hadn’t had the head space to follow it through. ‘Are you sure about him still being in love with Mum? He seems really keen to talk to you.’

His father had never taken him into his confidence when his mother had left. Not even mentioned it. But did parents ever confide in their kids about their relationship? Or kids confide in their parents? He certainly hadn’t told either of them about Lucy, his girlfriend of six months, wanting to wait till they were both sure.

Rex had posited the theory, at the time of the split, that maybe there’d been an overlap with Anezka and their mum – she’d been on the scene earlier than was said – and that was what had driven their mum away. But Leo hadn’t bought that about his dad. And his mother would surely have been angrier and let something slip, if that were the case.

Anezka didn’t answer, just looked at him as if he was being disingenuous, a tight smile on her lips.

‘OK … but right now his brain seems stuck in some sort of groove. Maybe he wants to apologize to you, or something,’ Leo said. ‘I’d appreciate it if you’d see him, anyway … sort out whatever it is.’ The reluctance on her face was patent, but Leo stood firm. ‘Please, Anezka.’