This is as good as it gets.

That had been his feeling. When had he known it since?

He’d thought of it as something between himself and Corinne. Who would have imagined the little boy was imprinting it all on his mind, to carry there for years until his hands had the skill to reproduce it, like a silent reproach to the adults who had let the happiness slip through their fingers?

He discovered that he was shaking and pulled himself together. He’d been lucky. He’d remembered in time.

Bobby looked in. ‘C’mon Daddy. We’re opening presents!’

He pretended to lie down again. ‘Already? I was hoping for a lie-in.’

‘Daddy!’

He grinned and allowed himself to be hauled downstairs in pyjamas and dressing-gown. ‘Sorry about this,’ he told Corinne. ‘I wasn’t given any choice.’

‘You and me both,’ she said, laughing. She’d managed to dress, but only in hastily flung on jeans and sweater, before getting to work in the kitchen.

‘Mummy, can we open the presents now?’ Mitzi cried.

‘Just a moment, pet. Let Uncle Jimmy come downstairs.’

When Jimmy had come cautiously down and settled on the sofa it was time to start. The children first, tearing off gaily coloured paper with excited screams.

Alex held his breath as Bobby opened the water-colour videos and then became totally still, so that Alex feared the whole thing had misfired. But then Bobby looked at him with eyes so full of incredulous joy and relief that Alex’s own eyes blurred suddenly.

With Mitzi he scored a double hit, giving her not only the Marianne book but a pair of riding boots. They were too large, but Alex immediately clutched his head, swore he couldn’t understand how the mistake had happened, and offered to change them as soon as the holiday was over, and Mitzi was happy.

‘Brilliant,’ Corinne murmured appreciatively when she had him alone for a moment.