Judith saw Patricia flinch and soften, and she knew Jack’s words were having an effect. She also saw Adrian redden, and the muscle in his jaw flicker.

‘I mean, it seems daft to burden Adrian with all this legal stuff when you could be concentrating on just enjoying each other’s company.’

God, he’s good, thought Judith as she watched her beautiful son take the hand of his frosty grandmother.

Patricia’s inner battle was evident on her face as her eyes darted between Jack and Adrian. ‘I don’t … I’m not sure what …’

‘I think what Mu— Patricia is trying to say is that we’ve talked about this long and hard and it’s not been an easy decision to make, but she’s made it now and feels happy with it, don’t you, love?’ said Adrian, who in a counter-move of charm took Patricia’s other hand.

The picture was ludicrous – two men of not vastly different ages, each holding the hand of an octogenarian woman who was trying her best to emulate a pious look, something akin to the Virgin Mary.

Jack backed down first.

‘Cool,’ he said. ‘The most important thing, Nana, is that you do what you feel is right.’ And he got up to put his jacket back on. ‘Just give me a call if you need any help with anything.’

‘So that’s it?’ whispered Judith a few minutes later when they’d got outside. ‘We’re just going to leave him to take over her life?’

‘For now, yes,’ said Jack. ‘No point in upsetting the apple cart till we need to. If he thinks he’s got away with it then we’re more likely to catch him out.’

‘But what was Catrin playing at? Why didn’t she tell me? All that hinting. Go and see your mother, Jude … talk to her, Jude – she should’ve just said it. I’m her best friend, for God’s sake.’

‘Mother – do not mention it tonight. It’s not fair on Aunty Cat. She must’ve been in a horrendous situation – patient–doctor confidentiality and all that.’

‘Well, I’m hardly going to report her, am I?’

‘That’s not the point – Adrian would. Now please, try and put it out of your mind for now, and let’s concentrate on enjoying the party.’

Judith reluctantly nodded. Celebrating was the last thing she felt like doing right now.

46

Catrin

‘You look so young!’ said Romy as they peeled off the bubble wrap to reveal an eight-foot-by-six-foot blown-up photograph of her mum and dad in 1986.

‘This was taken at a place called the Samaria Gorge,’ said Catrin wistfully as she took in the familiar image before her. ‘On the first day we ever met.’

‘I know, Mum, you told me, like, loads!’ said Romy in the whining tones of a bored teenager who was secretly very proud of her parents’ love story.

She’d been enlisted to help with the party preparations for that evening at Montgomery Hall. ‘Where we had our wedding reception!’ her dad had told her – again! – and Romy had rolled her eyes. Everything about today was going to be soaked in nostalgia.