‘The only one I have,’ she said defiantly, ‘has flowers on it.’

‘I’ll be brave.’

He looked so ridiculous in the flowered apron, with a garish paper hat still on his head, that Corinne’s heart melted. He did a good job too, washing and rinsing properly, and it reminded her of how domesticated he was. He’d always done his share in the old days.

‘What made you pick this house?’ he asked. ‘You could have had something better.’

‘You mean more expensive? I don’t think it comes any better than this. It has a big garden, is full of atmosphere, and the kids love it because it’s a house where they can be untidy.’

Bobby appeared in the doorway.

‘What is it, darling?’ Corinne asked.

‘Nothing.’

‘Did you want something?’

The boy shook his head. His eyes were fixed on Alex.

Suddenly the little kitchen clock gave three clear chimes, and Alex understood.

Three o’clock. The time when he had originally meant to leave. Bobby was watching him intently.

‘It’s all right,’ he said. ‘I’m not going anywhere.’

It was a pleasure to see the smile that came over Bobby’s face, but in the very same moment Alex’s cellphone rang in the hall. Without a word, Bobby went and fetched it, handing it to his father, his face a careful blank.

The screen was showing Mark Dunsford’s number, and for a moment Alex hesitated, tempted to shut it off without answering. But he didn’t.

‘Mark,’ he said in his most discouraging voice.

‘Simply checking to see if you need me,’ came his assistant’s tinny voice.

‘For pity’s sake, it’s Christmas Day!’

‘I just thought you’d like to know that I’m on the ball.’

Alex ground his teeth. ‘Go and eat some Christmas cake, Mark, and don’t call me back unless it’s a real crisis.’

He hung up. Bobby’s eyes were shining, but all he said was, ‘Are you coming back soon, Dad? We haven’t used up all the crackers.’