‘Yes, an angel,’ Nella sighed. ‘And yes, thanks, seems to be. She’s made some friends of her own now. I know Zach was very kind – though she hasn’t really hit it off with Rex’s daughter unfortunately. Not very friendly, I don’t think.’

‘I think Cecilia has a lot on her plate.’ I dropped the lemon slices into the lurid punch. It wasn’t my place to discuss Lynette’s latest breakdown, news Zach had let slip in the most typical way earlier this week – i.e. a fragment of detail about Ces being ‘proper moody’ because her mum had ‘lost it again’.

‘Well, learning some manners might be a good place to start.’ Nella’s lips flattened into a thin line. ‘I know we have to let the kids get on with it, but honestly.’

‘How’s Beau been?’ I cut across her nonchalantly. ‘Since the camping?’

‘Oh he’s wonderful, thank you!’ she answered very quickly. Too quickly. ‘Just a little blip. Sleepwalking – it happens from time to time.’

‘I see.’ There was a long pause while I began on the oranges.

‘His— Actually, he takes some meds, Ruby.’ She lowered her voice, although we were alone. ‘Beau. For… He’s highly sensitive, you see,’ she trailed off.

‘Ah!’ I didn’t really see, but I could empathise with any mother’s fears for her child. And Beau had definitely struck me as being almost… not of this world. ‘That must be hard.’

‘It is. We’ve had to spend a lot of time, money and energy looking for the right care.’ Nella had edged nearer, ready to confide more apparently, when the doorbell pealed. She nearly jumped out of her skin.

‘Who’s that now?’ she said illogically, given that her house was a hubbub of activity.

As boxes of wine and glasses were delivered into the hall, Zach and Ceci clomped past, towards the front door, talking quietly, but not quietly enough, about how much this house must have cost. I felt myself flushing as Nella caught my eye.

‘Zach.’ Marcus stuck his head into the hall. ‘Don’t forget what I said, yes, mate? You’d be doing me a real favour.’

‘No, I won’t forget.’ Zach looked embarrassed and almost delighted.

Marcus retreated again as Willow appeared now, at the foot of the stairs. ‘It’s cool to hang here, honest.’

Cecilia propelled him forward, hand in the small of his back. ‘C’mon, Zach.’

‘It’s calm, thanks, Willow.’ My son shot a look at Cecilia. ‘We’ll see you later.’ He caught my eye briefly. ‘In a bit.’

And then he too was gone before I could intercede.

Willow’s face closed, and then she flitted upstairs again.

I sighed. What was it today with me and people leaving?

As if she’d read my mind, Nella suddenly grabbed her bag. A black cab was pulling up outside, on the edge of the tiny green.

‘You’ll hold the fort, won’t you, darling?’ But she was already at the door, pulling on her jacket. ‘Won’t be long.’

‘Where are you going?’ I asked, confused.