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I hastened on, encouraged, and saw the pair of them, sitting in wicker chairs on deck, wrapped in overcoats, scarves and blankets, like a couple of old dears on a P&O Cruise, a bottle of wine on the table between them.

‘Clamber aboard, m'hearty.’

‘You're sure? I'm not interrupting?’

‘Certainly not,’ said Clarence, standing up to offer me a hand. ‘In fact you're just the girl I need. I'm trying to piece together the jigsaw that is Malcolm's life, and all I'm getting at the moment is sky. I feel you might be a crucial corner.’

Malcolm beamed, thrilled that Clarence was bothering to piece him together, and I sat down relieved in a spare wicker chair. The water lay still and inky around us, and as the stars above twinkled down from the velvet heavens, I thought, as I did occasionally, that although most of the time I couldn't imagine how Malcolm lived like this, some of the time I could. There was a very special freedom to it. To be able to untie a few ropes and be gone. Float away. And to have your very own waterside view without paying fancy prices for it either, although, as Clarence confided to me as Malcolm got up to pour me a glass of Chablis, ‘If you're wondering what we're doing out here in the middle of October, I get horribly seasick down below.’

‘Do you?’ I took my drink. ‘But it's hardly moving.’

‘Yes, but then I get seasick on my granny's swing seat in her back garden.’

I giggled.

‘I kid you not. Malcolm's cabin makes me feel like I'm being tossed around on the high seas.’

‘That might be a problem, then?’ I ventured, accepting the crocheted shawl Malcolm threw at me and wrapping it round my shoulders. I sank back, sipping my wine gratefully.

‘Nothing we can't handle. And Sooty loves it. She's never had such freedom.’

We glanced across to where Sooty was chasing Cinders in mad, frantic circles in the grass. ‘Look at Cinders go!’ I marvelled.

‘I know,’ agreed Malcolm. ‘New lease of life. It's the puppy she never had.’

As two pairs of eyes gazed gooily at their dogs, I realized a little seasickness was not going to be insurmountable.

‘So what brings you here, sugar?’ asked Malcolm breezily, passing the Hula Hoops, knowing full well it had to be a major catastrophe, but begging me, with his eyes, not to rain on his romantic, starlit parade. Which I wouldn't. And I wouldn't linger, either. I cut to the chase.

‘I need a job, Malcolm.’

‘A job!’

‘Yes, I've decided I don't do enough. And I think and imagine far too much, when what I actually need is occupation. But the thing is, all I've ever done is sell books. So I was wondering… well, I wondered if you needed anyone in the shop. Any more help. I wouldn't want much money,’ I rushed on, ‘hardly any at all. Nothing, if you can't afford it. But I badly need to work.’

My voice was in danger of quavering and I sensibly sank into my wine, wondering what on earth Clarence must think of this little outburst, but beyond caring really.

‘I wondered when you'd get bored with your gilded cage,’ said Malcolm lightly.

I glanced up. ‘You think that's what it is?’

He shrugged. ‘I think you lead an enviable, cushioned existence. Which would be enough for many women. But you're brighter than the average monkey, Evie. And you can't just be the supporting act.’

I swallowed. ‘Even though it's what I've always been. What I've always wanted to be.’

‘People start out one way, and by the time life's finished with them, they end up another. They change. You've changed, Evie. You've grown up.’

I wasn't quite sure what he meant by that. I could feel Clarence watching me.

‘And it's not just me,’ I said, instinctively dodging the spotlight. ‘Ant and Anna would be pleased too, I'm sure. Would like me to do something.’

Malcolm frowned. ‘You're doing it for them?’

I knew he was trying to corner me. I ducked and weaved some more. ‘Of course not. I'm just saying… well, obviously I'm doing it for me. For self-esteem, and – oh, give us a sodding job, Malcolm. Or do I have to get a stand in the market? Flog second-hand paperbacks?’

He smiled. ‘I'll give you