Nor had today been his own to unwind in, though it was usurped by a well-meaning biochemist who had given Alex and the other doctors a taste of the fall in and around Ridgewood. It wasn’t at its best yet but was still lovely, appreciated by the whole group after three days of notepads, water bottles, and film clips in a conference room without natural air or light. The trees and the company were genuinely friendly, and he’d still had just enough time to grab a cab to Fifth Avenue and pick out a gift for Max at FAO Schwarz’s legendary toy store. He could slow down tomorrow, walk through the quiet village past the cricket field with its thatched clubhouse to the parent-friendly pub his mother had preferred, where they would celebrate the eve of his thirty-fourth birthday.

They were an all-male contingent for the first time in years. He’d wondered if Siân might join them, just to see if there was any remaining hope for her with Will. But his father had said, rather oddly, that she hadn’t replied to his invitation—it was unlike her to be so bad-mannered. Alex understood she was waiting for Will to ring and ask her himself, but that wouldn’t happen. He’d also thought Anna might come down. They had been divorced two years ago, but were still fairly close, and she fit in with Alex for Max’s sake. But she wasn’t coming either, for reasons of her own.

And still the hardest thing was his mother’s absence. She was a kind, unjudging rock, held them all together through strife and pain, took no sides. His father coped quietly, worked as hard as ever—a country barrister with a good heart and held in respect by everyone. But he avoided talking about the life he had to get used to alone. At first, Alex and Will had tried being there more often, but if it made any difference to their father, he never told them. Someone from the village cleaned; his father did the garden on weekends; but the fire was snuffed in the hearth. And a bit of fire had gone from all of them, Alex thought.

Tomorrow there’d be laughter. Will would be back, and that was never dull. No dramas, though, Will, please, Alex thought, and he laughed quietly to himself as he collected up his bags and coat to make the walk down and clear security. He and Max had grown used to having Will at the flat in London for a couple of months, and it would be so nice just to have a gentle day.