In a moment—too quickly for her to prepare—he reappeared at the door with his son and a weekend bag. Lucy saw that Anna was securing back the latch, following her ex-husband toward the car; and she gulped in some air. Alex’s voice was incongruously even as he made the introductions and packed the trunk; everyone was saying “hello,” Anna commenting cheerfully on their luck with the early April weather for the Easter weekend. Lucy removed her sunglasses, shook hands, and even managed a smile, the panic subduing slightly. Alex explained to his son that his brand-new state-of-the-art skateboard had just come to him courtesy of Lucy, from Bloomingdale’s in New York, and the boy beamed appreciation at her. Love was sent to Henry, Max climbed willingly into the backseat, was thrilled the roof was down, passed Lucy a CD; and they were off. Anna waved them away. It was over; had been absurdly uncomplicated. Alex squeezed her hand knowingly between gear changes; and a few tears escaped quietly behind her glasses.

As they arrived in Longparish—Lucy and Max having sung their hearts into the wind for the whole journey—she greeted Henry with a hug of such feeling that she knew she had transferred the apology due to the son to his father. Alex’s smile said he understood her reservations and insecurities better than she. Cloistering herself in the kitchen, she baked treats she couldn’t possibly eat on her strict diet, but Max was entranced. She kept occupied, spending the early part of Good Friday afternoon reading in the warm, sheltered garden with Henry, while Max and his father went skateboarding.