After her swim, Pat fetches in armfuls of yarrow and harebells from the hedgerows and fills up the big vases.

Beneath the willows at the lakeside are yellow water lilies. She’s tempted to take one or two, but she’s not sure it’s allowed. Besides, they’re beautiful where they are.

By the time she’s walked back up the path to the house, Rachel and Liam are there, talking to Alan in the kitchen.

When she leans in to hug her daughter, as ever she’s surprised by the height of her. Rachel’s been taller than her since she was 12, but somehow the body forgets.

‘Rachel picked out some wine,’ Liam says, putting a bottle on the table. ‘And this is from me.’

Pat eyes the odd-shaped package. When she tears off the wrapping, inside is a ceramic cow wearing a strained expression.

‘Oh, she’s lovely!’ she says laughing.

‘You’re mad, the pair of you!’ Rachel says. ‘He paid two quid for it in Marie Curie. I know it’s for a good cause, but I call that daylight robbery.’