Later Melly unscrews a bottle of wine. Eric is doing the bills. The girls have gone to bed. She pours out two glasses.

“I should say no.” Eve picks up her wine. “But I find I can’t.”

“Just one glass, sweetie, surely it won’t hurt.”

“I meant your invitation, Izzy passed it on.” Eve looks happier than she has in months. “Darling Melly, it would be perfect.”

“My invitation?”

“It’s come at just the right moment; I hadn’t realized how much I needed to get away.”

Eve is smiling as she continues but her eyes are full of tears. “When I’m in the kitchen, I see Ash running towards the door. Sometimes I hear him in the garden calling to Noah. I’ll think if I’m quick I’ll be in time to stop him. I find myself standing in front of the paddock gate to bar his way. What happened fills my mind, day and night. It’s not fair on the girls.” She stares out the window as if, even now, she can see her little son in the dark running across the grass toward the paddock with the dog. “In a different place, the good memories might have a chance to come back instead.”

Izzy’s been kind, more thoughtful than she was; she understood exactly what Eve needed, what they owe her. She puts her arm around Eve and hugs her. Eve gave them a home when they needed it, despite what Paul did to Sorrel; a less generous woman might have simply turned her back. It’s time she repaid Eve’s friendship, it’s the least she can do.

She draws back and smiles warmly into Eve’s eyes. “That’s wonderful news. Eric’s invited, of course, he’d love the garden. I’ll ask Grace too; we should all go.”

“Eric won’t come; I know that without asking. He’s got too much work and we need a break from each other.” Her voice drops to a whisper. “I still don’t know if he knows what happened between me and Martin, but if he does he’s not saying. He doesn’t say anything. It’s lonely, like living with a stranger who doesn’t seem to like you very much.” Then she stops. “How tactless of me, Melly, you must be much lonelier.”

“It’s the opposite for me,” Melissa replies. “I was lonely when I was with Paul. I’m not lonely now and neither is Izzy.” She hands Eve her wine and they touch glasses. “To the future.”

Blake thinks that if they have to be anywhere without Dad this is the best place. There are so many trees, it’s mental. There’s a tennis court; they got some rackets off Amazon, Melly is showing them how to play. He messaged Dad to tell him to come when it’s the university holidays in Zimbabwe, but Mum said he probably won’t because of having to be careful with money; she’s writing a book, which is cool, but it’s only Dad earning now. If Eric came, he’d go nuts for this garden.