It was just after seven. The family was gathered in the garden, where tables dressed in crisp white cloths, sparkling silverware and vases of flowers arranged by Ashley were lined up. Lanterns were dotted around the grounds hanging from any available hook or nail, though they wouldn’t be lit until much later on. Even so, they looked pretty enough now with the sun glinting off their delicate glass surfaces. There was bunting and flags and photos of Violette at various stages of her life looking beautiful and elegant in gowns from days gone by, and ribbons of flowers looped around the pillars of the veranda. Maurice was now tending to a huge flank of pork on a spit, though Ashley had to wonder at the wisdom of this as he’d already been drinking for a good part of the afternoon. Nobody else seemed concerned, though. And in the air, chased by the early evening moths and gnats and the swallows racing to and fro from the eaves, the notes of live music drifted across the meadow from their villa, a call to celebration to anyone who happened to pass and hear it. Maurice and his cousin had constructed a little hardwood platform that acted as a stage-cum-dance floor and was already scuffed by the heels of enthusiastic shoes as they jigged to the sounds of someone from the town who could actually play the accordion. The band also included a violinist and a cellist – a fact that got Molly very excited.

‘Do you think they’ll let me have a go?’ she whispered to Ashley. ‘I’ve missed my violin so much!’

‘You’ve only been parted from it for a week,’ Ashley said. ‘It’s ridiculous. I bet you wouldn’t even be this lovelorn if you’d been parted from a boyfriend.’

‘I wouldn’t.’ Molly grinned. ‘My violin never does anything stupid to annoy me, but plenty of boys do.’

‘Nutter.’

The song ended and everyone put their hands together in an enthusiastic display of approval. Violette nodded graciously and cast her eyes over the huge crowd of guests – many of them descended from her directly – with a sort of pride that Ashley couldn’t even begin to imagine. To be responsible for so many of these incredible people was something to be proud of, though, and she could hardly argue with that. In a voice that was as strong of character as it was physically frail, she gave a short speech, which Ashley did her best to follow. From the small amount she could understand, Violette was thanking everyone and expressing huge surprise to be addressing them at the ripe old age of a hundred when she never expected to make it this far (at which everyone laughed and reassured her that they never doubted she’d make it this far and beyond). She then bade them eat and drink and enjoy the party. The little band struck up again and Molly gazed longingly at the violinist, prompting Ashley to nudge her.

‘Seriously, you’re at a party – on holiday! Snap out of it! Go and mess around in the shed with Bastien or something – do what normal teenagers do.’

Molly grinned. ‘You’d hate me if I was a normal teenager.’

‘Quite possibly,’ Ashley replied with a chuckle. ‘Now go and steal some booze or something and shock me for once.’

‘Oh, I intend to do that. Though it’s not exactly rebelling if everyone is pushing glasses of wine on me every five minutes.’

‘That’s true.’ Ashley laughed. ‘They do seem determined to get absolutely everyone steaming drunk by nine, including Violette’s cat.’

‘It’s the French joie de vivre.’

‘It’s drinking wine like it’s pop, that’s what it is.’

‘You are having a nice time?’ Nanette asked, making her way across the lawn to them.

‘It’s different, that’s for sure,’ Molly said. ‘I’ve never been to a party like this before.’

‘What sort of parties have you been to?’

‘They’re not usually in a gorgeous garden for a start. More likely to be in some dingy community centre or a pub.’

‘Since when did we go to parties in pubs?’ Ashley asked, raising her eyebrows at her daughter.

‘Since we went to your cousin’s wedding reception.’ Molly pretended to shiver. ‘Honestly, Mum, every time I think about that pub I feel like I need to go and take a shower.’

‘Fair point!’ Ashley laughed. ‘It was a bit of a dive, I suppose.’ She turned to Nanette. ‘The garden looks beautiful, doesn’t it? Team Violette did a great job here.’

‘We are very grateful for the help.’

‘I suppose it’s the least we could do considering we get to share all this wonderful food.’

Nanette gave a gentle laugh. Every sound Nanette made seemed to be gentle, from her voice to the way she sneezed. But then her gaze travelled to the garden gates and her face lit up in a bright smile.

‘Ah!’ she exclaimed. ‘Here is your friend!’

Ashley turned, expecting to see Ella as arranged. But her stomach dropped as she saw that Haydon was with her. It dropped, and then when she saw how handsome he looked in black trousers and a black shirt that complimented the tan he’d developed perfectly, sleeves rolled back to his elbows, it soared. It dropped and soared and couldn’t seem to make its mind up what it was doing. But while her heart was procrastinating, her loins approved of the sight, and her head was trying to shout over it all, telling her that this might just signal the ruin of her plans yet again. Why hadn’t he stayed at the villa as she’d told him? And then it all became clear. Nanette had invited him to the party too. What else was the poor guy supposed to do if he’d been asked to come with Ella and Ashley now realised she probably hadn’t made any plans to the contrary all that clear in her brief texts.

‘Hi,’ he said as he approached, and he almost sounded shy. He gave Nanette and Molly both a warm smile and then racked it up to sizzling as he turned to Ashley. ‘Sorry we’re a little late but…’

‘Fashionably late,’ Nanette said with a chuckle. ‘Nobody wants to be the first person at the party – no?’

‘Not that. We… um… well I couldn’t lay my hands on the keys to our place. Turns out they’d somehow fallen into one of my shoes.’ He gave an adorable shrug that made Ashley’s heart begin its argument with her brain anew.

‘You look lovely,’ Nanette said, turning to Ella who seemed to have forgotten how her mouth worked. Perhaps the sight of so many strangers was a bit overwhelming and Ashley couldn’t blame her for that.

‘You do,’ Molly agreed. ‘I love that dress… Topshop, I bet.’

At this Ella finally broke into a smile of her own. ‘How did you know?’

‘You can always tell… at least I can. One of my less valuable talents.’

‘You look amazing too,’ Ella said, eyeing Molly’s floral maxi dress.

‘Oh, this?’ Molly said, flapping the skirt about. ‘I never get a chance to wear it so I thought why not. Probably be freezing when we get back home and it will sit in the wardrobe until next time it’s hot. Which will probably be never.’ She nodded across the garden to where Bastien had apparently spotted Ella’s arrival and was beckoning them both over. ‘Come on,’ she said. ‘Looks like we’re wanted.’

As Molly led her away, Ashley turned to Haydon and Nanette. There was an awkward silence, until Nanette smiled briskly and made her excuses to leave. Perhaps she felt the awkwardness between them, or perhaps she sensed something altogether different. Either way, it seemed she’d decided they needed to be alone together.

‘I didn’t know you were coming,’ Ashley said as Nanette walked off.

‘But I was invited. I thought… Oh…’

‘Not that I mind, of course.’

‘You didn’t want me here?’

‘It’s not that, it’s just… well, I wasn’t expecting you.’

‘But they invited Ella and I thought…’

‘Of course you did.’

Haydon’s gaze went to the floor, his voice now dull. ‘I should go then. I mean, if it’s going to make you uncomfortable having me here then…’

‘Don’t be daft.’ Ashley forced a smile. ‘I didn’t mean that at all. I was just surprised. To tell the truth’ – she took a deep breath – ‘I was hoping Ella would come without you so I could get a moment alone with you at your place.’

‘Oh.’ His face lit up again and immediately Ashley regretted her choice of words.

‘Sorry, but I needed you alone to talk. I mean, it’s not that I wouldn’t have loved the other thing too, but…’

‘So… what did you want to talk about?’ he asked. ‘Is it about us? Because I know this is all pretty fast but—’

‘About us, but not in the way you think.’

‘Then you don’t regret what’s happened this week? You don’t regret our time together?’

‘Of course not.’

‘And you want to carry on, right? When we get back to England can I see you again?’

‘Absolutely. We’ll make arrangements. I think the girls would like that too.’

‘They do seem to get on really well,’ Haydon said, glancing across at the trio of teenagers, heads close as they laughed at something on Molly’s phone. ‘We couldn’t have asked for that to work out better really. Especially if—’ He paused, and Ashley read the uncertainty on his face. ‘Especially if we get more serious.’

Ashley knew she was supposed to reassure him at this stage, to tell him that was what she wanted too and that he was right to hope for more. But how could she when she had this huge secret that could bust them apart, still unspoken?

‘Ella’s sweet,’ Ashley said. ‘I don’t see how anyone could dislike her so it’s no wonder she’s getting on with Moll. You’ve done a good job with her.’

‘Molly too,’ Haydon said. ‘I didn’t like to ask but… you’ve brought her up alone? Always? What about her dad?’

‘He…’ She glanced around at the other guests, laughing, joking, drinking, dancing… Was this the moment? Could she make this work? Perhaps nobody would notice if they slipped away somewhere quiet for a while to talk things over. ‘He doesn’t know about her…’

‘Oh…’ He paused, looking confused and uncertain, and Ashley steeled herself. Was he about to work it out? ‘I know it sounds crazy but I can’t help but wonder if I’m—’

‘Haydon!’ Maurice roared from across the garden. Abandoning his pig-spit station he began to stride across the grass towards them and Ashley held in a groan. She turned her eyes heavenwards and uttered a silent curse. It was like somebody up there was determined the truth was never coming out.

‘It is good to see you!’ Maurice said, clapping Haydon on the back.

‘Thanks for inviting me,’ Haydon replied, shooting Ashley a look that was almost apologetic.

‘You are most welcome,’ Maurice said. ‘Where is your drink?’ he added with a disapproving click of his tongue. ‘You have no drink at a Dupont party! That will never do!’

Grabbing Haydon clumsily by the hand, Maurice dragged him away to the kitchen, presumably to equip him with the necessary alcohol befitting a guest at a Dupont party. Ashley let out a sigh. At this rate she’d have to resort to a singing telegram to send Haydon her news because she was fast running out of other options.

---

Ashley didn’t see Haydon for a good hour after his arrival. Later, she discovered that Maurice – who seemed to have taken a huge liking to him – was showing him Violette’s wine cellar. Ashley had no idea how much Haydon knew about wine, but, as it was one of Maurice’s favourite subjects, it was actually surprising that he’d only been missing for that long. Once, she’d been given a lecture by Maurice on the difference between European and New World wines that had lasted almost an entire evening. Not that she remembered a bit of it, because as she’d nodded politely her thoughts had been mostly concerned with Molly’s sandwiches and whether she’d ironed her school uniform for the following day.

But then Haydon turned up again and, to her consternation, he looked as if he was already on his way to a state of advanced tipsiness. Not only had Maurice been showing him the wine cellar, it seemed he’d been persuading him to sample a good deal of it too. As Ashley looked across at the tiny wooden stage, Haydon was being nudged towards it, laughing, by Molly. Then, after a brief exchange with the band members, Haydon took the cello from its owner and Molly borrowed the violin and they began to play.

They’d obviously agreed on a piece they both knew well at some point beforehand because they were perfectly in synch, the mellow tones of the cello adding warmth to the sweet, soaring strings of Molly’s violin. Ashley vaguely recognised it as a classical piece Molly had spent a lot of time learning, though she’d have struggled to name it. Despite the circumstances, Ashley was filled with pride to see her talented daughter play so beautifully, but it was a bittersweet thing. There she was, playing with her father in a way that suggested they were connected on a level that was almost telepathic, and yet neither of them had a clue just how connected they really were. The irony of the fact they’d both been attracted to string instruments was not lost on Ashley. They even wore the same expression of concentration as they played.

She glanced away, hastily wiping a tear from the corner of her eye, to see her own mother looking pointedly at her. It wasn’t hard to guess what Sue was thinking. Ashley looked quickly away, back to where Haydon and Molly played together, and she wondered if the fact that they looked like father and daughter was registering with anyone else at the party. Then her gaze wandered down the line and fell on Ella. Haydon’s other daughter played piano, didn’t she? Ashley had never heard her play, of course, but she was sure it had been mentioned at some point. Perhaps she was feeling left out that there wasn’t a piano at hand for her to play along (apart from the old dusty one in the house that was far too big to transport out to the garden). Whatever it was, Haydon’s younger daughter looked strangely forlorn and lost as she watched the performance. Ashley moved along the line of people gathered to listen and sidled up to her.

‘Perhaps we can get you on the piano inside later,’ she whispered. ‘So you can show us what you can do. Your dad says you’re really good.’

Ella shrugged, never moving her eyes from Haydon and Molly. It was uncanny, the way she looked at them, and for a startling moment Ashley wondered whether she’d somehow figured out the truth where all the adults around her had failed. But that was ridiculous – surely there was no way she could have done.

‘You want a drink?’ Ashley asked.

‘No thanks.’

‘You’re OK? There’s nothing you want to talk about? Only…’

‘I’m fine. Thank you.’

Before Ashley managed to get another question out, Ella moved away to stand next to Bastien. She appeared to brighten a little as he whispered something in her ear, but she still looked far from the happy-go-lucky girl she had always appeared to be – at least from what Ashley had seen of her this week.

‘What’s the matter with her?’ Sue asked, moving into the space next to Ashley that Ella had just had vacated.

‘Don’t know.’

‘She looks like someone just took her winning lottery ticket away.’

‘She does a bit. Poor thing.’

Sue turned her gaze onto Haydon and Molly. ‘I presume this friendly little performance means you still haven’t told him or Molly.’

‘When would I have had a chance? I didn’t expect him to be turning up here today.’

Sue clicked her tongue against the roof of her mouth but said nothing.

‘I am trying, Mum.’

‘Yes, you’re that.’

‘It’s not easy. It’s alright for you to judge because you haven’t got to do it.’

‘I did offer.’

‘Don’t be ridiculous. I couldn’t think of a worse way to break the news to Haydon, or to Molly for that matter. They need to hear it from me – both of them.’

Sue was silent for a moment, her attention back on the performance. ‘It’s funny,’ she said finally.

‘What is?’

‘How they play together – how similar they are. Funny how they both ended up with the same interests.’

‘I was just thinking the same thing.’

‘You never said her dad was musical.’

‘I didn’t know. We didn’t exactly discuss it the first night we met.’

Sue threw her a sideways look. ‘I don’t think you discussed very much at all the night you first met.’

At this Ashley couldn’t help a small smile. ‘I don’t suppose we did. Certainly not accurate phone numbers for a start.’ She let out a sigh. ‘All those years we missed for the sake of some dodgy digits.’

‘If he was telling the truth about that.’

Ashley turned to see Sue regarding her in a measured gaze. She shook her head.

‘He wouldn’t. I might have thought so too, once upon a time, but now I know him better… No, I don’t believe he’d have done that.’

‘Age mellows us all. Perhaps he feels guilty about it now. Perhaps he does want a relationship and you look pretty good now he’s on the scrapheap, so he’d tell you whatever you wanted to hear.’

‘No.’ Ashley shook her head more forcefully this time. ‘You’re wrong. Neither of us are on the scrapheap either. It’s not our fault we’re both single.’

‘It’s absolutely your fault that you are. It’s not like there’s been a shortage of interest from men over the years.’

‘I was too busy with Molly – you know that. And then when I tried to have a relationship look what happened.’

‘Perhaps you ought to be more picky,’ Sue replied.

‘Is that a dig at my current interest?’

‘Make of it whatever you will.’

Ashley folded her arms tight across her chest and stared at the stage.

‘Sulking isn’t going to change anything.’

‘I’m not sulking and I’m not trying to change anything.’

‘Yes you are, and yes you wish you could.’

Ashley turned to her. ‘Isn’t there a bottle of wine somewhere waiting for you?’

‘I’m only trying to help,’ Sue sniffed.

‘I know, but you’re not. I’ll deal with this in my own time. Molly has managed this long without a dad so a few more hours isn’t going to make any difference now.’

Sue shrugged. ‘You get on with it then. You’re right – you don’t need my input at all considering what an amazing job you’ve done of sorting things out so far.’

‘Mum!’ Ashley hissed, but Sue just held her hands up in a gesture of surrender.

‘I’ll go and see if Maurice needs any help roasting that pig. In fact, I’ll chat to the pig because I’ll get more sense out of it than you.’

Ashley scowled as Sue left her and crossed the garden to the spit where Maurice was nodding along to the music as he brushed more oil on the huge slab of pork. Her mother was right about it all, of course, but just being right hardly helped matters. Ashley didn’t need any assistance recognising what was right and wrong here, she just needed the moment and the courage to address it.

The guests began to clap and cheer and she realised that Haydon and Molly’s impromptu performance had come to an end. There were calls for an encore but Haydon simply nodded and gestured to the musicians who were supposed to be playing.

‘Far be it for me to deprive a fellow cellist of his instrument,’ he said with a laugh. He was flushed and clearly thrilled to have such an appreciative audience. And then he exchanged such a tender, exhilarated look with Molly that Ashley could barely keep herself from bursting into tears. For a moment she could almost imagine what it would have been like had they always lived together as father and daughter and she wanted to weep for all the times like this that they’d already missed.

‘What did you think?’ Molly asked as they came across to her. ‘We weren’t bad, were we?’

‘Very nice,’ Ashley said. ‘I’ve always loved to hear you play.’

‘You were incredible,’ Haydon said, beaming at Molly. ‘No wonder the conservatoires are queuing up to get you in.’

Molly laughed. ‘Not exactly.’

‘You’ve got real talent,’ Haydon insisted. ‘In fact, I’d go so far as to say that you’re the most talented musician of your age I’ve ever come across.’

Molly blushed, a broad grin splitting her face. ‘You think?’

‘Absolutely. And with your mum’s permission I’d love to try to help you get a music-school place somewhere. There’s a real shortage of young people wanting to follow the classical route and anyone who shows an interest needs to be encouraged and their talent nurtured.’ He turned to Ashley. ‘Don’t you agree?’

‘Of course,’ Ashley said. ‘It’s just that…’

Before Ashley had time to finish, Haydon turned to Ella as she tugged at his arm. ‘Hey you, how are you enjoying the party?’

‘Yeah, it’s good,’ Ella said, though Ashley could see the look again that told her Ella wasn’t being entirely truthful with her answer.

‘Did you see Molly play?’ he asked. ‘Wasn’t she amazing?’

‘Yeah,’ Ella said, shooting a dull glance at Molly. ‘You were both really good.’

‘You want to come and get some food with me?’

‘Um, sure, OK.’

Haydon turned to Ashley. He made a slight move towards her, and then seemed to realise his mistake as he pulled away again with a suddenly awkward smile.

‘Can we get you anything from the food tables? Or a drink, maybe?’

‘I’m fine. You two go ahead and we’ll catch up with you later.’

‘OK.’

As Ashley watched him walk away with Ella, Molly spoke.

‘You know when you asked me before about whether I approve? I’ve decided I do. He’s really cool, Mum. If you have to have a boyfriend then I’m glad it’s him.’

Ashley gave her a tight smile. When Molly finally learned the truth, would she still feel the same way?

It wasn’t hard to overfill a plate with all the amazing food on offer. Ella had been a little more reserved as she chose from the buffet tables but Haydon hadn’t been able to resist trying a bit of everything and now he probably had too much – though he was doing his best to get through it.

‘Isn’t this the most amazing stuff you’ve ever eaten?’ he asked Ella, who was sitting next to him in a shady corner of the garden. He could see Ashley and her mother deep in conversation across the lawns. From time to time one or the other threw a guarded glance in his direction and he couldn’t help the feeling that he was the topic of their animated discussion, though he tried not to dwell on that possibility or what it might mean if they were. He’d got the distinct feeling throughout the evening that Ashley’s mum didn’t like him. He could only guess that Ashley had told her some of their past and he supposed that it might look bad to a parent. If he’d felt a boy had abandoned Ella in that way he’d probably be furious about it no matter whether it had been done deliberately or not. Still, the idea that he had to win over Ashley’s entire family at the same time as getting Ashley herself to trust him again wasn’t one that filled him with positivity. At least Maurice’s family seemed to like him and he quickly decided to make the most of their gracious invite.

Getting no answer from his daughter, he looked to see she was staring in the direction of Molly, who was sitting close to Bastien as they dangled their feet in the swimming pool. She hadn’t touched any of the food on her plate.

‘Everyone likes Molly better than me – even you.’

Haydon paused, a forkful of sauce-smothered pork halfway to his lips. He stared at Ella.

‘What?’

‘She’s so good at everything. And she’s pretty. Everyone likes her better than me.’

‘No they don’t.’

‘You got so excited playing your cello with her. And you’re always saying how you wished I’d play a string instrument.’

‘Only because I’d know more about it. Ella… what’s all this about? You’ve never cared about that before and honestly I love that you made your own choice instead of following me.’

Ella didn’t reply. Instead her eyes began to water. Haydon dropped the fork onto his plate and hastily put it to one side so he could gather her into his arms.

‘You’re my daughter – you will always be the most important person in the world to me.’

‘What if Molly was your daughter? She’d be your favourite, I bet.’

‘Ella… what’s happened? I thought you liked Molly? Is this about me and Ashley dating? Are you scared of what it might mean for us as a family? Because if it is—’

‘No.’ Ella gave her head a forceful shake. ‘I do like her.’

‘Then what?’

‘Bastien likes Molly. They’re going out – they told me today.’

‘But what…’ Haydon frowned. Then the gears slid into place and suddenly everything was clear. ‘Oh, Ella…’ He pulled her closer. ‘You like him?’

‘I thought he liked me too. I should have guessed it would be Molly – she’s older and prettier and says smarter things. She even knows a little French and sometimes they speak in French so I can’t tell what they’re saying.’

‘Well, that’s rude. I ought to have a word with them about that.’

‘No, Dad! That would make it even worse!’

‘But if it’s bothering you this much—’

‘Please… no. I’m begging you – don’t. I wish I’d never told you now.’

‘I’m glad you did and if it’s going to upset you more then I won’t say anything, even though I think I ought to. If someone is doing something that upsets you it’s far easier for them to stop if they know. They probably haven’t even realised they’re doing anything wrong and how are they going to if we don’t tell them?’

‘You can’t tell them! They already think I’m an annoying hanger-on without thinking I’m a snitch too!’

‘Annoying hanger-on? What the hell?’

‘Because I’m younger.’

‘And have they said this to you?’

‘Of course not. But I know they think it. I don’t even know why I thought Bastien might like me because he’s sixteen and I’m not even fourteen yet.’

‘I know. Age gaps can seem massive right now but I promise you in a few years it won’t matter a bit if he’s ten years older than you.’

‘He would have fancied Molly anyway.’

‘How do you know?’

‘Just do.’

Haydon gazed down at her and wiped a tear away. ‘This is not my Ella. What’s happened to that smiley face and optimism that I love so much?’

‘Sorry, Dad.’

‘I’m not saying it so you can be sorry! I’m saying it because it makes me sad to see you sad, that’s all. You don’t need to apologise for the way you feel.’

‘But you won’t talk to Molly and Bastien about it?’

‘Not if you don’t want me to.’

Ella nodded. ‘OK.’

As if summoned by the mention of their names, Molly appeared, flanked by Bastien. Ella looked up as their shadows fell across her, alarm etched in her features, but if Molly had overheard any of their conversation then she didn’t show any signs of being concerned by it. She smiled broadly at them both.

‘Did you see us play?’ she asked Ella. ‘I had no idea your dad was so good!’

Haydon gave her a tight smile. While he wanted to gush about Molly’s talent, he sensed that it might be a little insensitive in light of his recent discussion with Ella. She had to learn not to be oversensitive, of course, and that in life there was always going to be someone better-looking, more talented, more successful, and that you had to strive for your own perfection and disregard the negative thoughts that might distract you from your own success, but perhaps now wasn’t the time for that lesson.

‘You were brilliant together,’ Ella said, and Haydon was instantly proud of the grace she showed, shrugging off the doubts of a few moments earlier. ‘It made me wish I’d taken up the violin instead of the piano.’

‘There’s a piano inside!’ Molly said. ‘Show me how to play?’

‘I wouldn’t be as good as you are on your violin.’

‘You’re younger – I bet you will be when you’re sixteen. Please, show me. I’ve never had a go before.’

Haydon raised his eyebrows. ‘Never plonked about on an old keyboard in the school music room? I thought everyone had done that at one time or another.’

‘Only music nerds like you,’ Ella said. And Haydon was glad to see that she seemed brighter now.

‘OK, I hold my hands up. There was a time when I’d plonk about on any instrument I could get my hands on until I settled on the cello. Now I teach it I hardly have time to look at other instruments, let alone play them.’

‘Maybe I’ll take up the cello too,’ Molly said, beaming at Haydon. ‘You could teach me.’

‘I’d have a long way to come for your lessons.’

‘Maybe when…’ She looked coy for a moment and Haydon had to laugh.

‘Let’s not get ahead of ourselves,’ he said. ‘Though I’d be honoured to teach someone who is as much of a natural as you. I bet it would be a doddle.’

Molly dipped her head and blushed again, but she was clearly flattered by Haydon’s words.

‘Come,’ Bastien said, grabbing Ella by the hand. ‘Let us find the piano and you can teach us how to play.’

Haydon watched, feeling helpless as Ella followed him and Molly inside. He could only imagine how difficult it was for her and he could remember vividly how difficult unrequited love was when he was that age. Thank goodness those days were over, although sometimes when he reflected on his current love life he wondered if they were actually easier after all.

He was reminded forcibly of this when he looked for Ashley and found her making her way across the lawns to him. But she didn’t look happy or relaxed, and she didn’t look as if she wanted to slow dance to the lazy tunes now being played by the little band from the village.

‘I need to talk to you,’ she said.

‘Actually, I need to talk to you too,’ he replied.

Ashley paused, her mouth open, but the words that were meant to follow her first greeting now seemed forgotten. Perhaps his tone had seemed a little brusque but he needed to get this off his chest.

‘I wouldn’t mention it like this normally,’ he continued. ‘It’s just that Ella is really upset and I thought you might be able to have a quiet word with Molly about it.’

‘What’s it got to do with Molly?’

‘Everything really. It’s this business with Bastien. You see, Ella likes him…’

‘And?’

‘It can’t have escaped your attention that Molly does too. I think there’s something going on there actually—’

‘If there is that’s none of your business. Just what are you trying to say?’

Haydon’s eyes widened. ‘I’m not trying to tell you how to raise your daughter,’ he said. ‘I only wanted to request that she perhaps respect the feelings of mine. Ella’s younger and more impressionable and she’s very sensitive – easily upset. She thinks that… well, she’d hoped that Bastien would like her the way she likes him, and clearly that’s not the case. All I ask is that Molly and Bastien don’t rub her nose in it like they’re doing right now.’

‘What!’

‘I don’t think it’s an unreasonable thing to ask. They do seem to be flaunting it a bit and it’s making Ella miserable. Probably teenagers showing off – you know how they do with younger kids – but perhaps you could talk to them? This holiday is so important for me and Ella and—’

‘Why don’t you talk to them if it’s affecting your precious flower so much?’

‘Ashley, why are you being so awkward? I don’t understand—’

‘Don’t understand? Do you have any idea how patronising this sounds?’

‘I only wanted you to have a word where I can’t. I’m not trying to patronise anyone.’

‘You do it.’

‘She’s your daughter.’

To his amazement, Ashley started to laugh.

‘Oh, the sodding irony,’ she said.

‘Ashley?’

‘Forget it,’ she said. ‘I’ll talk to Molly later but don’t bother talking to me again tonight. It’s obvious that you and me moving forward was nothing but a silly dream. It was nice for a while, but it’s never going to work.’

‘What are you saying? That we can’t be together because of the kids? That’s crazy! It’ll take work but other families do it.’

‘Not these ones. Sorry.’

Ashley turned to walk away but he grabbed for her arm and spun her back to face him. ‘Please… don’t end things like this.’

‘You’re making a scene,’ she said, lowering her voice and glancing around the garden. ‘And I see now you’ve had too much to drink to talk any sense.’

‘I’m not drunk. You seem to be the drunk one to me. You’re really going to throw what we have away because of something I said about Molly? Which wasn’t even bad anyway?’

‘We don’t have anything. We tried to pick up where we left off in Ibiza and it was nice until reality bit. There’s no picking up from there, not ever, and we were both just fooling ourselves.’

‘Why not?’

‘You really want to know?’

‘Yes.’

Ashley stared at him. It was intense, like she was trying to see his soul. But then she just shook her head.

‘What’s the point? Why not let sleeping dogs lie?’

‘What the hell are you talking about? Ashley… there’s something about Molly—’

‘Go and find Ella,’ Ashley cut across him, turning to walk away again. ‘Go and make sure your daughter is OK.’

‘Ashley! What have I done?’

By now some of the party guests had noticed that all was not well with two of their number and Haydon was suddenly aware of curious eyes upon him. But if keeping the peace meant losing Ashley then he didn’t care too much for shutting up. Ditching his plate of food, he strode after her.

‘You don’t get to call this without an explanation,’ he said. ‘Don’t I at least deserve that?’

She spun to face him. ‘Maybe. But it’s too complicated and I’ve just realised that maybe it’s just too hard to deal with.’

‘What is? Whatever it is I can help you!’

She shook her head, her eyes awash with a sadness so vast and deep he almost felt it would swallow him too.

‘Please… just let me try,’ he said, his voice low and urgent. ‘I won’t lose you – not now.’

‘You say that but when you find out the woman I really am you might not be so keen.’

‘Nothing you can tell me will change the way I feel.’

‘You’re certain? You know your mind so well that you’re sure nothing could change it?’

‘At least try me.’

‘That’s not the answer I wanted. That means maybe you doubt yourself after all. You’re wondering whether there is something that would put you off, and you’re scared your feelings are not as strong as you thought they were.’

‘This is crazy.’ He lunged forward and pulled her into him, planting a kiss on her lips that she didn’t refuse but didn’t return.

‘I’m sorry,’ she whispered.

‘You have nothing to be sorry for.’

‘Haydon…’ She paused. ‘We really need to talk.’

His reply was cut short by the arrival of Maurice and Sue.

‘Is everything alright?’ Maurice asked. ‘We did not want to listen but…’

‘You weren’t exactly being discreet,’ Sue added, glaring at Haydon.

He stood for a moment, while a woman he barely knew seemed to scrutinise every little detail of his being. Was Ashley’s sudden change of heart something to do with her mother? Did Sue really have that much of an influence?

‘We’re trying to sort things out; that’s all,’ Ashley said.

‘So you’ve told him?’ Sue replied.

‘Told me?’ Haydon looked at Ashley and then back at her mother again. ‘Look… Mrs—’

‘Dupont,’ Sue cut in. ‘At least get my name right if you can’t get anything else right.’

‘Mrs Dupont,’ he replied, doing his best to rise above the jibe. ‘I know that you probably don’t think much of me and I can understand why, but what happened in Ibiza… it was a mistake. Nothing more and nothing less. A mistake that anyone could have made.’

‘What!’ Sue cried. ‘A mistake? Is that what you call it? I call it bloody irresponsible! I call it cowardly and low! Leaving a poor girl high and dry – what sort of a man does that?’

‘I’m not that sort of a man!’ Haydon said. ‘I really liked Ashley. I never would have left the wrong phone number on purpose!’

‘Phone number!’ Sue stared at Ashley, who gave her head a tiny shake.

‘What else are we talking about?’ Haydon asked, looking between the two women.

‘Hell’s bells!’ Sue cried, swinging her arms so wide that an arc of wine sloshed from the glass she was holding. ‘Molly’s an intelligent girl but she clearly doesn’t get it from her father!’

Haydon looked from her to Ashley, confusion written all over his features.

‘And yet he still doesn’t have a clue,’ Sue continued. ‘What does it take to get the penny to drop?’

‘Mum!’ Ashley warned, firing Sue a look that begged for her to stop before things went too far.

‘Come on, Einstein!’ Sue rolled her eyes at Haydon.

‘Mum,’ Ashley repeated. ‘Please, this is not the time—’

‘It’s the time, alright!’

‘But I…’ Haydon turned to Ashley now, his eyes wide. And then he seemed to stop breathing and he uttered a single word. ‘Molly…’

‘Finally,’ Sue said, turning to stagger away. She beckoned Maurice to follow, with a look that said her work was done. ‘Finally he gets it.’

Ashley shook her head slowly, tears burning her eyes. ‘I’m so sorry you had to find out like this.’

He knew the truth now for sure, but it didn’t seem possible that the conclusion he’d slowly been coming to could be the right one. And even as he said it he couldn’t quite believe it.

‘Molly’s my daughter?’