Mummy waved but kept swimming. Daddy smiled as he squinted into the distance. Then we walked the coastal path and met the Venns. They had a funny conversation with Daddy and said they would meet us on the beach later. The man who looks after our boats is bringing the big sailing boat over from Fowey where Daddy keeps it. It will be on its way now.

We walked back to the house and he told me the sea state was good and we’d need to get our skates on to head out to the yacht before eleven. I laughed. He asked why and I said he was funny because you can’t skate on water that’s not frozen. He kissed my nose and told me I was too clever for my own good. I told him I thought being clever was good and he laughed more then he called me his little love. He declared we would have a marvellous day on the water.

Back inside we joined some of the other guests in the dining room having breakfast.

I’ll write more later when we are sailing.

Diana

She packed her diary and her pencil into the bag and headed downstairs.

33. Joan

33

Joan

4 August 1962, 9.30 a.m.

Dressed and ready for the day, I stop at the table in the hallway. The post has arrived, but nothing is important. The crocosmia in the arrangement on the table need refreshing. Fallen blooms are scattered across the polished surface. The withered orange flowers look like a sign that our time here at Boskenna is coming to a close, which is an odd feeling. A week lies ahead of me before I will be back in Moscow, walking Salome through the parks and having coffee at the ambassador’s residence after ballet. I adjust a stem of the agapanthus and watch the blue flowers drop. Maybe the whole thing needs re-doing but I won’t have time. Unlike in Moscow, where time is the one thing I have. When we return in a week, many people will still be on leave. The parks will be full of children but not the ones I know. Diana will be lonely until her friends return. No, she won’t be. Salome will be delighted to have us back and my darling girl will read and practise piano. She is content in her own company in a way I never am. I railed against my solitude growing up but Diana delights in it.