With the summer holidays approaching, she knew that Katie was keen to invite Freddy to stay with them, and Freddy had asked Katie to spend the weekend at Pemberton Road, but it didn’t feel right to any of them when there was such animosity between the two families.

Sophie had made the suggestion a few weeks ago, when she was having lunch with them both in Oxford. She had met Freddy a few times since Katie had told her about their relationship and he was a lovely boy.

The first time she met him she had been so shocked by his likeness to Jack that she had stood there for a moment, speechless, staring at him. His physical appearance still unnerved her now but as she got to know him, she realised that he was nothing like his father, apart from their shared love of football. Jack was a joker and a flirt but Freddy was more thoughtful, more serious. And it was very clear to her that he was serious about Katie. As they tucked into their lunch, she had asked Freddy, for the first time, how his mother was.

‘She’s fine thanks, Sophie,’ he answered politely.

‘Is she still working flat out as a solicitor?’

‘She works hard, definitely, but she’s fairly chilled out about it all these days.’

‘Do you think she’d like to meet up perhaps? For a cup of tea?’

Freddy looked shell-shocked. ‘With you?’

‘Yes, with me.’

‘Mum, what’s this about?’ Katie was looking at her, concerned.

‘I just think, with you two being together, perhaps it’s time that me and Angie had a chat. Cleared the air. Made life a bit easier for you two.’

‘Oh, Mum, you’d do that for us?’ Katie looked like she was about to cry.

‘Of course, Katie. If Freddy thinks it’s a good idea.’

‘I don’t see why not,’ Freddy agreed. ‘Shall I talk to her?’

‘Okay, why not,’ Sophie said. ‘I don’t want her to feel cornered. Why don’t you mention it to her and if she’s up for it, you can let me know.’

Katie called her later that day. ‘Freddy’s spoken to Angie. She’s agreed to talk to you.’

How noble of her was Sophie’s first thought, but she quickly swallowed her pride. ‘Great, text me her number and I’ll get in touch.’

‘I was thinking, Mum, why don’t you meet up in Oxford? You know, neutral ground? Perhaps Freddy and I could even be there to make things a bit less intense?’

‘It’s a lovely idea, Katie, but I think this is something Angie and I have to do alone.’

As soon as Katie hung up, Sophie had typed out a quick message to Angie before she could change her mind.

It’s Sophie. I think it’s time we talked. For the children’s sake. I can come to you?

Angie’s reply had come twenty minutes later.

Ok. How about Sunday?

When she had told Alan what she was planning to do, he had nodded in weary resignation. ‘I suspected it would need to happen eventually. I’ll drive you.’