“Break time!” Eve says quickly.

They run into the garden like puppies off a leash, Ash stumbling to catch up. Eve watches from the door, she mustn’t interfere. This is what she’d hoped for, all the children playing together; after half an hour she calls them back for painting, then at the end of the morning they rush outside again. As Eve is clearing up paint pots and washing brushes, fingernails tap against the window like the rattle of little stones; Melissa arriving early. Eve looks up, smiles and waves. Few people call in at the house; it’s set far back from the road, the grandeur is daunting. Her father had liked the peace; the idea that his children might feel lonely had never occurred to him. She takes a tray outside and they sit on the grass, sipping coffee. Melly’s red MG is parked in the drive, the top down.

“I know what you’re thinking,” Melly says, catching her glance. “It’s lazy of us not to walk, but Paul gives Izzy lifts all the time, she’s got used to it. He spoils that child.”

The air is lime-sharp with the scent of grass. The noise of Igor mowing the meadow merges with the children’s voices from the wood. Melissa shades her eyes, staring across the garden. “Listen to them,” she says wistfully. “A whole family of children having fun.”

“A bigger one than I’d planned for, counting Charley and my little ones—they’re here more than I thought they would be. I don’t teach them, but they join in the games afterwards.” Eve touches her arm. “I should charge you less; that’s only fair.”

“You don’t owe me a penny. Izzy’s happy, she adores everyone. I think it helps, having the younger ones around. Paul says her homework’s improved. He checks it every night.” She tightens the scarf around her neck. “I’m not allowed.”

“He does the homework?” Eve raises her eyebrows. “Gosh, the perfect husband.”

Melly shakes her head, smiling faintly; her eyes glisten.

The children appear soon after that, shrieking as they scatter across the lawn, chased by Izzy. Ash tumbles into his mother’s lap, laughing hysterically. Izzy stops in her tracks when she sees her mother, then stalks off to wait in the car.

“We better go.” Melissa stands up. “Paul’s home; he gets lonely without us.”

“You’re covered with grass.” Eve helps her brush off the clinging fragments; as they walk to the car together she stoops to pick a bunch of red peonies from the border and when they reach the driveway she puts them into Melly’s hand.

“Thanks.” Melissa clutches the flowers. “For everything.”

The children are silent after Izzy’s departure. Sorrel leans against Eve as she picks Ash up and wraps her spare arm around Poppy, but her eldest daughter shrugs her off. She walks down the drive, staring at the grooves Melissa’s car has scored in the gravel as if she wants to follow them to her friend’s house.

“I really want to do something for Melly.” They are clearing supper, the children settled in bed. “She seemed down today, a little tearful. I imagine Izzy’s a handful at times.” She passes Eric the plates, which he loads into the dishwasher. “It’s Ash’s birthday at the end of term, let’s have a party. I’ll invite Charley, Blake, and Izzy. Melly and Paul can come, Martin too, of course, and Grace if she’s free.”