Claire’s mother approached me near the drinks table and said she regretted how Christmas had unfolded.

She didn’t offer an explanation or ask me to reassure her.

I thanked her for saying it and turned to speak with Emma, who had painted place cards for the picnic tables.

Halfway through the afternoon Oliver asked why I hadn’t come inside at Christmas.

The adults fell silent.

Daniel set down his plate.

“Because I made a bad decision,” he said.

“Grandma came to see us, and I wasn’t kind.