“Exactly what I said. I just wanted you to know that I’ll be out of the country for a while, should you need to call me. Granny will have my phone number when I’m settled.”

“Settled? You mean you’re moving abroad?” Now he sounded quite rattled.

“No, just going on a mission,” she said.

“You’ve become a Mormon or something?”

“There is no need to be facetious, Josh. I’m just taking some time off.”

“How can you do that? Have you been laid off or something?”

“No. I took no summer holiday this year, remember? It didn’t seem worth it without Teddy. So I’m taking it now. Actually, I’m going to Venice.”

“You hated Venice.”

“No, you hated Venice. I never got a chance to make up my mind. And I’m going now because I’m taking Aunt Lettie’s ashes to scatter in the lagoon.”

“Aunt Lettie died? You never told me.”

“Well, she wasn’t your aunt, was she? I didn’t think you ever cared for my family. You made every excuse not to visit them.”

“Of course I cared. I just didn’t have much to say to a couple of old women.”

“Anyway, Aunt Lettie died.” There was a touch of anger in her voice. “I’m upset about it. I miss her, and I’m going to take her ashes to her favourite place.”

“Venice was her favourite place? I never knew she travelled abroad.”

“Neither did I until now.”

“How long will you be gone?”

“I can’t say.” She was proud of herself. Of her efficient and distant manner, which clearly had him rattled. He wanted to think of her sitting at home, pining for him. Typical Josh.

“I’d like to speak to Teddy before I go.”

“He’s in the shower, I think.”

“Then get him out. I said I want to speak to my son.”

She heard an intake of breath, but soon a little voice came on the line. “Hi, Mummy! Guess what? I’m the only boy in the class who can already read. And I can do sums, too, and the others are just drawing baby pictures and things. The teacher said if I was staying here, she’d move me up to second grade.”

“That’s wonderful, darling. I always knew you were very smart. How are you?”

“I’m great. I can run faster than Autumn, and we may start soccer soon.”

“I hope you’ll be coming home to be with me and Granny soon,” she said. “And we can look into playing football here.”

“In the States football is different,” he said. “They wear helmets. That looks cool, too. Am I too young for that?”

“Much too young. But you can play rugby one day. It’s almost the same, isn’t it?”

“I guess. I have to go. I’ve got a towel round me and I’m cold. See ya, Mom.” And he hung up. He didn’t sound like a person who was traumatized and not wanting to fly. He sounded like a normal little boy, but now already with a bit of an American accent. She wanted him home desperately.