Ned is four. Jomier is invited to his grandson’s birthday party and feels he must attend. He would rather stay away, and supposes that Henry and Sandra would be relieved if he came up with some convincing reason for declining their invitation, but such an excuse is beyond anyone’s invention. What pressing engagement could Jomier have at four o’clock on a Sunday afternoon? It would seem odd if he did not go – and Henry is embarrassed by any manifestation of oddity. He also knows that Ned would like him to be there. Jomier is loved by Ned. Ned’s face lights up when he sees Jomier. Samantha’s too. Samantha also loves Jomier but she does not relate to him in the same way as Ned. Both Samantha and Ned are acutely aware of gender. Both flirt with good-looking members of the opposite sex. They are aware of the difference between a mother and a father. Samantha’s role model is her mother. Ned’s role model is his father; but Jomier is a secondary, auxiliary role model. The long dull hours spent by the swings and see-saws in the playground bring a return. Trust. Familiarity. Love.

Jomier would rather stay away from his grandchildren’s birthday parties because Tilly also attends. Tilly not only attends but helps with the preparation. Nominally Sandra is in charge but Sandra has other things on her mind – management buyouts, corporate takeovers, private-equity finance. When a misplaced comma in a contract can mean catastrophe, it is difficult to concentrate on egg sandwiches, cocktail sausages, orange jellies, crisps, Hula-Hoops, balloons and the birthday cake. She has switched off her BlackBerry but her mind remains on standby.

Tracey and Alena are on hand but they do not know the ropes. Tactfully, skilfully, Tilly takes command. She is an experienced children’s party-giver: she has arranged many over the years. She never enjoyed it. She did it in the old days because it was expected – by her children, their friends, their friends’ mothers. In particular the other mothers. Tilly wanted to earn the approval of the other mothers. The only constraint on her behaviour was peer-group pressure; the only sins the things Hermione and Alice and Caroline and Mary would think are sins. An affair? Everyone does it. Divorce? With a husband like Jomier, understandable. Pinching Max off Jane? These things happen.