It was fun to plan, but she still couldn’t see it as reality. “There is no way the twins will want to leave London. And do we really want to move them at this stage, when they’re heading into important exams?”

“Life isn’t all about the twins, Liza. Our lives are important too. But whichever option we choose, it’s going to take a while to make it happen. So why don’t we agree to spend the next year thinking about how we are going to make this work, with the aim of moving down here when Caitlin and Alice head to college.”

The future that had so recently seemed pressured and full of dark clouds, now glowed brighter. “I love that idea.”

“It will give me time to look for exactly the right property.” He pushed the damp towel into the bag. “Ideally there will be some unloved coast guard cottage with beach views that I can turn into a project for the next couple of years.”

“And I can take my time furnishing it.” She imagined herself picking up pieces from the many local shops selling Cornish crafts along the Atlantic coast. And she’d improvise too, because that was something she loved. She’d collect shells and driftwood, sand and stain the floors of their cottage to a bleached white. “It’s fun to plan.” And most of all it was fun planning together. They’d stopped doing things together and somehow started to live parallel lives. But not anymore.

“Let’s come back soon.” Sean put his arm round her shoulders and stared out to sea. His skin was turning a deep bronze. She’d forgotten how easily he tanned.

“Yes.” Liza stood up and started to gather their things together. “You haven’t changed your mind about what we agreed last night? In the cold light of day it seems impulsive and extravagant.”

“Impulsive is good. We need to do more of it.” Sean took the bag from her and they walked back to the house, took a shower and loaded their things into his car.

They’d decided to leave hers parked at the cottage for the time being and collect it later in the summer.

Liza checked the front door for a final time. She’d fed Popeye and the evening before she and Sean had driven over to Finn’s to deliver his paintings.

For Liza it had been an awkward moment, but both men had been surprisingly relaxed. Finn had given her a good natured wink, and he and Sean had discussed the architectural design of the house while they had drinks on the lawn.