‘Yes. Exactly. I’m going to. This week. I have a time fixed, actually.’

‘Good. And as for your father,’ Esther ploughed on, feeling like a bloodhound still seeking the right trail, ‘and Heidi—’

‘I’ve told you, Mum, I’ve got no problem with Dad remarrying,’ Lily cried, ‘and neither has Dylan that I am aware…’ She drew in a quick breath, visibly steadying herself. ‘Look, Dad did an okay job of talking to us about it, that’s all. And I like Heidi. Sorry, Mum, but I do. She’s all right. And anyway, the thing about Dad,’ she muttered, dropping her gaze and fiddling with one of her newly painted nails, ‘is that it’s so obvious he needs someone. He’s just, like, no good on his own. Unlike you…’

‘Me?’

‘Yeah, you, Mum. You just get on with things. You make a decision and go ahead. Like… I don’t know… clearing your garden, writing help-notes to homeless trespassers, making all these new pals in London. You’re just pretty fearless, I guess.’ She pushed off the car, smiling almost normally for the first time, and dusting the back of her jeans in what was clearly a preparation to be on her way.

‘Well, in that case I am fearlessly going to come and take you out next week.’ Esther crossed her arms, blocking the driver’s door. ‘For dinner. Just the two of us. Before term starts. Name your day. As early or late in the evening as you like.’

‘The only day I could do next week is Tuesday,’ Lily said at once, a curiously challenging look in her eye. ‘So, if that doesn’t work then later in the term maybe?’

‘Tuesday works,’ Esther said stoutly, knowing Chris would understand, managing daughters being something they had in common. ‘If Matteo is out, I can bring stuff to cook. Or we can go somewhere. Whatever you prefer. Just let me know. And now you may leave,’ she joked, hugging her and then stepping aside so Lily could get back into the car.

27

Chico trotted into the hall the moment she opened the front door, perhaps in the hope of food, more likely in the hope of escape. Esther quickly slammed it shut, just in case. The cat dawdled, as if he couldn’t decide either, rubbing himself so enthusiastically against the thin legs of her little hall table that its drawer rattled.

‘Good day?’ Esther murmured, kicking off her shoes, enjoying the quiet pad-pad of the animal’s hefty paws as he followed her into the kitchen.