We had made a plan to go there in a week’s time. I was coming along for two nights, to let her in, and to check in with the estate agent. I could have spoken to the agent on the phone though Amy was taking care of that, and I didn’t really need to check the house was all right, which Alan was still doing for us. But my reasons for being there sounded convincing. And after all, it was my home. I wanted to go there with her.

‘It’s not a holiday,’ said Emily. ‘Paul’s just letting me in and doing some things he needs to do there, then he’s leaving me to get some work done.’

‘Yes, that’s what Dad said too. But you can’t go to the seaside and not have some fun. You’ll want Paul to take you for a go on the Big One, surely?’

Sophie looked at me and raised her eyebrows. I made an awkward grin at her.

Emily noticed and scowled. ‘I’ll be doing nothing an old-age pensioner wouldn’t do. Fifty-p cups of tea, blustery walks on the beach, and trying to write my book.’

‘Do you miss Rochi?’ Sophie asked me suddenly. ‘You were spending a lot of time with her. And now you’re not.’

‘I didn’t know you were keeping tabs on us,’ I said.

‘Who’s Rochi?’ said Emily.

‘My friend. She was at the launch. Tall, Indian heritage. Attractive. She is attractive, isn’t she, Paul?’

‘I know who you mean,’ said Emily. ‘Of course she is. She’s striking.’

I couldn’t work out if the smile she was giving me was patronising or admiring.

‘We had a nice time,’ I said.

‘Who had a nice time?’ said Andrew, striding back into the room. ‘Why’s Paul gone red?’

‘Rochi and Paul had a nice time,’ said Emily.

‘Rochi your friend?’ asked Andrew.

‘Rochi’s great,’ I said quickly. ‘We went out a couple of times. We’re buddies.’

‘Buddies?’ asked Sophie. ‘English people don’t say “buddies” unless they’re silently pronouncing the word “fuck” before it.’

‘Jesus, Sophie. Can we try to keep things civilised?’ said Andrew.

‘It’s a vile phrase, I know, Dad,’ said Sophie. ‘But it’s la parlance du jour. What else can you say? Lovers? You’d have to be at least your age to get away with that, and what’s love got to do with it?’

‘What’s love but a second-hand emotion?’ sang Emily.

Sophie glared at her.

‘They do use the word “buddy” where I’m from,’ I said.

‘It’s American,’ said Sophie.

‘“All right, buddy”, “All right, bud”. That’s how men greet each other.’

‘How strange,’ said Sophie.

‘You and Rochi, hey?’ said Andrew.

‘Jesus, you’re not going to start some male perv club, are you?’ said Sophie.

‘Sophie,’ said Andrew.

‘No. Not me and Rochi,’ I said.