‘Did we ever have one?’ Lee said, and then, when he saw her lip wobble, added more kindly, ‘I don’t know what you worry about. They’re fine. They’re never going to win any awards for exemplary behaviour or bedroom-tidying skills, but they’re good kids.’

He came over to her and put his arms round her waist, squashing Archie between them. ‘You look lovely,’ he said. ‘Have you done something to your hair too?’

Edie prised herself away from his arms. Lee handed over Archie, and Edie slung him in his customary place on her hip. ‘I thought I’d better make an effort,’ she said. She was also wearing make-up for the first time since dinosaurs roamed the earth. Needless to say, she’d had to nick it all from Kelly’s stash.

‘I just hope he’s taking you somewhere posh,’ her husband said.

Edie fussed getting her coat and handbag together. ‘I’m not sure.’ Ménage à Trois! She couldn’t even bring herself to think it, let alone say it.

‘You ought to try that French place.’ Her husband smiled innocently. ‘Otherwise you’ll turn a few heads in Burger King.’

‘I’ll try not to be too long,’ Edie said.

‘Take your time,’ Lee said. ‘You never go out. You should do it more often. Enjoy yourself.’

‘It’ll probably be really dull,’ Edie said.

‘Hey,’ Lee said tenderly. ‘Don’t rush back for us. We can manage.’

‘Thanks,’ Edie said, not knowing whether that made her feel better or worse. She kissed her husband on the cheek.

Lee chucked their son under his chin. ‘You know that I love you, don’t you?’ he said.

Edie studied her handbag. ‘Yes.’

‘I’d do anything for you and the kids.’

‘I know.’

‘And you feel the same?’

Edie hung her head. ‘Of course.’

‘Be an angel, then,’ Lee said. ‘Take Archie to your mother’s.’

Chapter fifty

Chapter fifty

So that we didn’t suffer too much, Sanjeev climbed the ridge too, bringing us a kettle of hot black tea, rolled pancakes with local honey and two boiled eggs each. And I have to say, this is the most memorable picnic I’ve ever had. We sit still for ages, enjoying our food and the solitude. The light changes second by second until the full glory of the Himalayas is revealed.

Dean leans his head against mine. ‘Happy?’

I can’t think of a time in recent years when I was more happy. ‘Very.’

‘Me too,’ he says and I melt a little bit more.