‘Yeah – just like that, mate! Hold it, Bern, hold it – you’re a natural!’

Justin was crouching on the lawn, snapping away at his ex-wife’s lover with his trusty vintage Leica. He had no truck with digital photography – an attitude that afforded him a certain kudos in the biz (though it quadrupled the work for everyone else involved). As Bella and Andy approached, he leapt to his feet, chucking his beloved equipment onto the grass without a moment’s hesitation.

‘Angel Face! So groovy to see you, sweetheart! How’s my precious little girl, then?’

Bella found herself running into her father’s outstretched arms, laughing.

‘Hey, Daddy! Lovely to see you.’

‘A minute apart from you is a minute too long, baby. And Andrew, great to see you too, Vicar.’

‘Likewise, Bishop.’ Andy laughed, shaking Justin’s hand.

‘Just give me a hug, mate.’ Slightly awkwardly, the two men hugged.

‘Hi, Bernie!’ Bella ran across the lawn to hug him too. ‘So Daddy’s got you posing at last?’

‘Yeah. Why not?’ Bernie took off his shades and smiled at her, his beady little eyes crinkling up so much they practically disappeared in his big round face. ‘He’s good at what he does, and I always admire talent.’

Bella smiled back. Anyone could see that Bernie was lapping up the attention.

‘Run on in then. Your mother can’t wait to see you. Looking prettier than ever, I must say …’

‘Who? Me or Mum?’

‘Both of you, though nobody can eclipse your mother’s place in my heart.’

‘I know. That’s what makes you so great for her.’ Bella grinned. ‘So what’s Dad’s latest like?’

Bernie opened his mouth to say something, then shut it again.

‘Not my place to say, Princess. Go on in an’ see for yourself.’

So Bella hurried through the house, through the sitting room and kitchen and out of the kitchen stable door to the back garden, where she knew her mother and the mysterious guest would be having drinks on the terrace.

She stopped in her tracks.

‘Mark? What the fuck are you doing here?’

‘Aw-right, Belles.’ Mark grinned awkwardly, getting to his feet.

‘Hello, darling,’ said Olivia. ‘That’s not a very nice way to greet our guest, now is it? How was your journey?’

‘Hi, Mum.’ Bella automatically gave her mother a hug and kiss. ‘Journey was fine, thanks. But what’s he doing here?’ She nodded over in Mark’s direction.

‘Your father asked if he could bring a guest, and I said yes. I must admit, I was expecting somebody more – er …’

‘… female?’ Mark laughed sheepishly.

‘I don’t know how you can stand there so brazenly.’ Bella turned to glare at him, hands on her hips. ‘Do you know how devastated Sam is by what you’ve done?’

‘You mean I can’t get you to put in a good word for me?’ Mark gave another nervous laugh.

‘So that’s why you’re here?’ Bella’s voice rose incredulously.

‘Please, Belles. I miss her so much; it was a moment of madness …’