Abruptly Santa asked, ‘Did you know he was protecting his father?’

‘Yes. He always talks about him protectively. Nothing is ever Daddy’s fault. If he ever lost that faith it would hurt him more than he could bear.’

‘Actually not discussing things in case his father can’t cope? This is a nine-year-old child.’

‘Nobody really knows what Bobby is thinking,’ Corinne said. ‘Except maybe you. He tells you things he can’t tell anyone else.’

‘Not even you?’

‘He’s protecting me too. Santa Claus can help because he’s not involved. And my husband-’

‘Your husband’s a thick-head, and don’t let him tell you any different.’

‘He’s not that bad.’

‘Yes, he is. Take my word.’

Corinne smiled. ‘Well, he may have a thick head but he has a thin skin. Only he doesn’t know it.’

Santa made a sound like a snort.

‘It sounds to me as though you’re protecting him too. I’ll bet he doesn’t know that, either.’

‘I don’t think it’s ever occurred to him.’

‘You invited him here for Christmas for his sake as much as the children’s, didn’t you?’

‘You’re very astute.’

‘Well, maybe a little more than I was,’ Santa said gruffly.

‘He’s lost so much already,’ Corinne said. ‘I don’t want him to lose any more, otherwise it’ll soon be too late.’

Santa stared into the fireplace. ‘I think he knows that. Tell me something. Do you know why Bobby chose that picnic to paint?’

‘I think it was the last completely happy time we had together. Alex’s business was building up fast, but we were still a family. When the picnic was over we went home and put the children to bed. And then we made love-’ her voice softened ‘-and it was the most beautiful thing that had ever happened. He told me over and over how much he loved me and how our love would fill his heart and his life until his very last moment.’

‘Is that why you kept the shirt?’

‘Yes,’ she said softly. ‘That’s why I kept it.’