Such a relief to say the words. To admit it at last, against all reasonable argument. Having tried and failed to find, if not love, then a kind of contentment with Thierry, to admit to myself that some things simply cannot be rationalized; that love is not a matter of choice; that sometimes you can’t escape the wind—

Of course Roux never believed I’d settle down. He always said I was fooling myself; expected, in his quiet arrogance, that some day I would admit defeat. I want him to come. But all the same, I won’t run away – not if Zozie brings the whole place down in ruins on my head. This time, we stand. Whatever it takes.

‘Someone’s here!’ The wind-chimes ring. But the figure at the door in its curly wig is far too bulky to be Roux.

‘Careful, folks! Wide load coming through!’

‘Nico!’ cries Anouk, and throws herself at the large figure – frogged coat, knee boots and jewellery to shame a king. He is carrying an armful of presents, which he drops under the Christmas tree, and although I know the room is not large, he seems to fill it with his giant good cheer.

‘Who are you supposed to be?’ says Anouk.

‘Henri IV, of course,’ says Nico grandly. ‘The culinary king of France. Hey—’ He stops for a moment to sniff the air. ‘Something smells good. I mean – really good. What’s cooking, Annie?’

‘Oh, lots of things.’

Behind him, Alice has come as a fairy, complete with tutu and sparkly wings, although traditional fairies don’t often wear such big boots. She is vivid and laughing with enjoyment, and although she is still slender, her face seems to have lost some of its sharpness, making her prettier, less fragile—

‘Where’s Shoe Lady?’ says Nico.

‘She’s getting ready,’ says Anouk, dragging Nico by the hand to his place at the laden dinner-table. ‘Come on, get a drink, there’s everything.’ She dips a ladle into the punch. ‘Don’t go nuts on the macaroons. There’s enough to feed an army here.’

Next comes Madame Luzeron. Far too dignified for fancy dress, but festive in her sky-blue twinset, she drops her presents under the tree and accepts a glass of punch from Anouk and a smile from Rosette, who is playing with her wooden dog on the floor.