Claire opened the back door and stepped out into the morning sun. It was a beautiful day and normally she’d have taken Russ for a walk already, but she’d been clearing up from last night and preparing breakfast. Amy stood beside her, clinging onto her legs as the pale-blue VW campervan trundled down the long drive.

‘It’s so wonderful to see you,’ Claire said, as Maggie stretched out of the car.

There was a moment’s pause, a moment of appraisal as each woman stood back and sized the other up without being obvious. Then they hugged fiercely, laughing into each other’s hair about how crazy this all was, how they should have done it years ago, and how time flew by. Finally, they held each other at arm’s length.

‘You don’t look a day older than when I last saw you,’ Maggie said. Her hair was wild around her face.

‘You neither,’ Claire echoed.

They let go of each other as a groggy figure emerged from the other side of the van. The girl’s long hair was highlighted with streaks of pale-copper and blonde, looking stylishly dishevelled. Slim tanned legs stuck out from beneath tiny ripped shorts and Claire noticed that she was already a few inches taller than her mother.

‘Rain,’ Claire said fondly, approaching her for a hug. ‘You’ve certainly changed a bit!’

Rain stood rigid, so Claire just patted her on the shoulder, refusing to be fazed by the girl’s lack of greeting or, indeed, the skimpy top that showed off much of her flat belly. She’d got her own teenager. She knew how things were. ‘Last time I saw you, you were at primary school,’ she said, but there was still no response. Maggie was fussing over Amy, who was bouncing up and down.

‘And doesn’t Amy look just like you?’ Maggie said. ‘Where’s that big lad of yours?’

‘I don’t suppose we’ll see anything of him before midday,’ Claire replied.

‘Lucky him,’ Rain said, swishing her hair back off her face. She pulled a pair of huge sunglasses from an oversized shoulder bag and put them on.

‘Good journey?’ Claire asked, patting the campervan. ‘Marcus would give a limb to own something like this. Some of the surfer lads around here have them.’ Claire noticed Rain suddenly paying attention.

‘It was a bit of an indulgence,’ Maggie confessed. ‘I was seeing this guy who—’

‘Maggie,’ Rain cut in. ‘No one wants to know about all that.’

‘Oh, but I do,’ Claire said, taking Maggie’s arm. ‘I want to hear about it all, in great detail.’ She whispered the last part. ‘Come inside. Let’s get coffee. There’s bacon cooking and fresh bread. Jason and Greta arrived yesterday. I heard them moving about so they must be up by now…’

Claire chattered non-stop until Maggie and Rain were inside sipping on mugs of coffee. She busied about in the kitchen, feeling strangely self-conscious, extremely happy yet nervous all at the same time. After weeks of planning, the reunion was finally happening.

‘I have lots in mind for the week,’ Claire said. ‘And I’ve dug out a ton of old photographs. I thought it might help Dad’s memory if we all went through them together. I’d like us all to take him to the beach often, perhaps play some of the old games he taught us and…’

Claire heard herself reciting plans but was conscious of a sadness brewing inside her. This time next week it would be over. They would all go back to their own lives – her included – and get on with another decade or so. It was that last part that brought Claire down from the high she’d survived on these last few weeks. Didn’t she want things to go back to normal?

‘Is there any fat-free yoghurt?’ Rain glanced disdainfully at the spread Claire had set out on the long table.

‘Rain,’ Maggie said, scowling, but then leapt to her feet. ‘Oh my God, Jason!’ She flung her arms around him as he came into the kitchen.

Claire smiled. Maggie the performer. Maggie the centre of attention. Maggie the one always up for taking a risk. Though she sensed that something had dulled her since they’d last met. Taken the shine off her just a touch.

‘You feeling a bit ropey, bro?’ Claire laughed as Jason ran his hands across his face.

‘Callum’s fault,’ he confessed, before introducing himself to Rain.

She stared back. Her sunglasses were now forked on her head and her full lips sat in a pout, making her appear innocent and childish while giving off an undeniably sexy look at the same time.

‘Yes, this is my mute daughter, Rain,’ Maggie said. ‘She clearly left her voice and her manners at the services three hours ago.’

‘Thank you, Maggie, but I’m quite able to speak for myself.’ Rain held out her hand, almost as if she expected him to kiss it. ‘Delighted to meet you,’ she said in a voice that revealed her boarding school background. ‘You’re Claire’s brother, right?’

‘Indeed,’ Jason replied, not knowing what to make of the kid. He coughed, trying to clear his voice. Callum had got the cigars out late last night.

‘Where’s Greta?’ Claire asked.

‘Right here,’ came a voice from the doorway. Greta radiated such a picture of glowing health that Claire heard Maggie catch her breath.

‘Jason, you’re married to an angel! A burgeoning angel, you lucky, lucky man!’ Again, that over-the-top voice that had always been Maggie’s trademark briefly resurfaced. It had often landed her in trouble.

‘I’m not sure about the angel bit, but I’m definitely burgeoning.’ The two women hugged lightly, and Maggie placed her hands on Greta’s belly.

‘Twins?’ she asked. Bangles and chunky bracelets jangled at her wrists, under the floaty sleeves of her gypsy-style top. ‘I think they’re both boys.’

Greta laughed, eyeing Jason.

‘They don’t want to know the sexes,’ Claire said, smiling and laying out the rest of the food. Callum joined them, and everyone sat around the table, soaking up Claire’s hospitality. There was much chatter and laughter for the next hour or so, with none of the eggs, bacon, tomatoes and homebaked bread left when Claire cleared away. Even Rain had managed to down a few blackberries and a quarter of a piece of toast.

Claire offered to make something else for Rain, but Maggie insisted they all ignore her fussy daughter and her silly eating habits. ‘She’s always on some stupid fad diet or another just to be awkward.’

‘It’s good to watch what you eat,’ Callum said. Rain gave him a small smile. ‘Especially when you get to my age.’

‘She’s got a long way to go, darling,’ Claire said. ‘Don’t worry, Rain. You won’t end up looking like him.’

‘How old are you, Mr Rodway?’

‘Rain!’ Maggie scolded.

‘Let’s just say I’m still in my forties,’ he said.

‘What he means is he’s nudging fifty.’ Claire grinned as he pushed back his shoulders and sucked in his stomach.

‘You still have time, then,’ Rain said.

‘For what?’ Callum leant forward on the table.

‘For some fun, of course.’ Rain stood, excusing herself from the table, lifting up her long legs as she stepped over the wooden bench.

‘Right,’ Claire said, after she’d gone, clearing her throat. ‘Anyone want more coffee?’